SOUTH CAROLINA -- For Christine Kelley and her family, fireworks are a big part of Fourth of July celebrations.

Every year, they travel up Interstate 95 from Florida to spend time with family in Virginia over the Fourth of July. On the way, the pass South of the Border, the much advertised truck stop just south of the North Carolina line in Dillon, S.C. That’s where they find the fireworks for their yearly display.

"Because [in Virginia] you can't really get the good stuff," Kelley said.

But the family gathering might see a smaller fireworks show this year. Kelley says that higher gas prices will likely cause the family to spend only about half of their usual $500 on fireworks.

For Lola Jacobs, who runs the Rocket City Fireworks store where the Kelleys shop, it’s something she’s seen all too often this fireworks season.

"When [gas prices] started shooting up like ten-cents over night,” she said, “I think it just majorly dropped the business."

It cut her business by about 30 percent as compared to last year, she estimates.

She says dry conditions are also a factor, because some towns don’t allow fireworks when the ground is too dry.

And making it even more difficult on shoppers, Rocket City and other fireworks vendors also have had to increase prices this year to compensate for increased shipping prices on fireworks, Jacobs said.

Nationwide, explosions at warehouses in China have led to some reports of fireworks shortages. Jacobs says that hasn't caused a problem for her store this year, but she believes it could make a difference next year.

"With the price increases we've had this year without the explosion, I could imagine what it would be in years to come," she said.

But Christine Kelley says that even if she has to cut back more on fireworks spending in the future, it won't stop her from having a blast.

"I'll buy what they have, and still have fun," she said, laughing.

Fireworks allowed in North Carolina include sparklers, fountains, smoke devices, snake and glow worms, trick noisemakers, and toy pistol caps.

Fireworks that aren't allowed include those that spin, leave the ground or fly through the air. That includes any aerial fireworks, roman candles, and rockets.