Analyst warns of rising gas prices in mid-Michigan - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Experts say the pain at the pump is about to get worse.

Gas prices were steady last month, until about a week ago, that's when they started creeping up.

Now experts say those prices are likely to keep going up.

If you need to fill up your car, experts say now is the time to do it.

Patrick DeHaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst at GasBuddy.com: "We saw a big increase today on the market -- it will likely hit the gas pump tomorrow."

According to GasBuddy.com wholesale prices are on the rise.

DeHaan: "Wholesale costs have increased another 22 cents a gallon, that brings the tally since July 25 to 61 cents a gallon that wholesale prices have risen."

And the reason for that?

John Griffin with the American Petroleum Institute say it's problems at three regional refineries.

Griffin: "Ya know, unplanned malfunction in a processing unit-- have some trouble and to be safe you have to shut it down."

Couple that with the fact that summertime blends are more expensive to produce and GasBuddy says the price will jump.

DeHaan: "Its possible that prices in the next 48 hours could flirt with 4 dollars a gallon -- perhaps into the $3.90's"

And if you think you'll wait it out, it may take a while.

DeHaan: "They may remain higher than the national average for at least the next few weeks until these kinks are worked out -- perhaps one to three weeks."

So you may just have to bite the bullet and fill the tank.