Some nearby gas stations had little choice but to match Sheetz' price or at least come close.
N.C. 150 -- A gasoline price war along a stretch of N.C. 150 at the Forsyth-Davidson county line has cooled a bit in the last couple of days, but pump prices at several stations are still well below the Triad average.
The opening salvo was fired April 24 when the Sheetz chain opened a new convenience store and gas station at the corner of N.C. 150 and Hickory Tree Road, just inside Davidson County.
Sheetz posted a price of $3.39 a gallon, which was below its wholesale price.
"Typically we're allowed when we open a new store to offer an introductory price just to get people on the lot, get them excited and interested in our business, hopefully keep them coming back," said Monica Jones, a Sheetz spokesperson.
Some nearby gas stations had little choice but to match Sheetz' price or at least come close.
"I think it was a couple of days later that prices did start dropping," said Lorie Ash, manager of Kelly's 150, a station owned by Marathon Oil.
But Ash says there's a limit to how much a station can slash prices without going in the hole.
"Well, we try to please the customers, but we have to not go bankrupt, either," said Ash. "We did what we thought and tried to keep the prices reasonable."
A two-week old gasoline price war along the Davidson-Forsyth county line has cooled a bit in the last few days, but pump prices at many stations are still below the Triad average.
Area pump prices have crept up since April 24 and several stations within a couple of miles of the new Sheetz store are meeting Sheetz' current price of $3.49 a gallon, but that's still well below the average pump price in the Triad of $3.58, the latest figure from AAA Carolinas.
"We're able through certain channels with our buying and distribution to be able to buy it at a low cost and then, in turn, sell at a low cost, as well," said Jones.
Most drivers say price is what determines where they'll buy their gas, but there are a few that say customer service is the biggest factor.
"What's a penny or two when it comes to friendliness and it comes to local people," said Cindy Gentry, a customer at Kelly's 150.
But as gas prices continue to topple records, even loyal customers are hoping for a break.
"And I hope, though, that Wilco and Kelly, I hope all the people see fit to lower their gas prices," said Pat Watson, another customer at Kelly's 150. "It would be great."
AAA Carolinas says the national average for self-serve unleaded regular gasoline is just over $3.64 a gallon.
The average price in North Carolina is about $3.61 a gallon.