Driven by $1.776 deal, some drivers wait in long lines at Sheetz
An Independence Day promotion led to long lines of traffic around the Triangle on Tuesday.
Sheetz, the Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, celebrated the nation's birthday by dropping the price of multiple fuel grades to $1.776 per gallon (while the promo lasts), and drivers lined up for a cheap fill-up.
Cardell Harrell tried two different locations before filling up and saving about $50.
"I waited probably 30 minutes at a different Sheetz. They ran out of 93 gas; they ran out of 89 gas, so I came to this one," he said.
At $1.776, the gas promo saved most drivers about half of what they would normally pay. According to AAA, the statewide average price for a gallon of gas in North Carolina is $3.22.
Travis Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz said, “We hope this discount helps our customers keep a little more change in their wallets as they travel to celebrate the 4th of July with friends and family, with an obvious nod to our nation’s birthday.”
The promotion began at 12:01 a.m. Drivers could fill up at Sheetz 675+ locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia for just $1.776 per gallon, a nod to the date that the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Diesel fuel was not included in the deal.
The impact was evident immediately, as long lines formed in Raleigh and in Roxboro where drivers waited for a pump to open up.
On Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, the backup wrapped around the store and into the travel lanes.
In Durham, at North Duke and Frasier streets the lines created a bit of traffic jam for families trying to access the annual Festival on the Eno. Backups extended for blocks, and some drivers waited up to 40 minutes for their turn at the pump.
While the promotional price applied to regular gas, E85 (flex fuel), Ethanol Free (E0), Unleaded 88, mid-grade and premium fuel, by early afternoon, many locations were running out of the higher grades of gas.
