The pain at the pump continues with high prices and a low supply, but drivers are not the only ones dealing with the problem.

It's a daily battle for drivers. First, you try and find the cheapest gas in town and second you hope the station actually has gas. People like Judy Sigler of Huger, are not looking to add to the problem.

"I'm going to be cautious, but I'm not going to spend all my money on gasoline today or this week,” said Sigler.

The Gulf Coast oil rigs are shut down, refineries damaged and pipeline supplies are low. Last Thursday, hundreds lined gas stations trying to fill up just in case. The panic added fuel to the fire.

"Normal demand didn't account for that, we have a spike in demand, with a cutback in delivery systems, put them together and we are going to see empty tanks along the way," said College of Charleston Economist Frank Hefner.

Some stations turning away tanker trucks because of prices. The El Cheapo in North Charleston is premium only right now. The owner says the wholesale price for regular is four sixty a gallon. The fuel is too expensive to buy and too much to charge his customers.

"The retailer at the station is caught in a terrible squeeze right now," said Hefner.

In five days, local gas prices jumped 36 cents on average and Hefner says it will be much longer before the market returns to normal. One complaint we've heard over and over is why prices up are up, but the same gas is in the ground. Hefner says stations must charge more now, to pay for the more expensive gas coming in.

Experts believe once oil operations in the gulf return to normal, consumers will start to see relief at the pump.