Gas prices went up for 32 straight days

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - After going up for 32 straight days, gas prices are at a four-month high.

The national average for a gallon of regular gas right now is $3.73. But that's nothing compared to what we may see this spring. It may be well over $4.

Gas prices went up by 40 cents in one month, and drivers have noticed.

Haynes Ford of East Windsor, CT told 22News “I was up here last Thursday, and it was $3.65 for regular. I see it's $3.73 today.”

Shelena Mabry of Springfield said “It's getting a little out of hand now. It's like every day it's going up 3-5 cents, so it's hurting the pockets. Makes you want to stay home a little bit more.”

And bad news for drivers. Gas prices are only going up from here. Experts say the prices going up when the demand goes up during summer months, and now refineries are switching to more expensive summer blends of fuel.

So drivers are doing everything they can to save money -- mostly by shopping around.

Ford said “It's like $3.89 in Connecticut right now, so that's another 16 cents a gallon.”

And they are also thinking about where they can go this summer without spending too much.

Jay Griffin of Springfield said “Won't go far. Won't go far at all. I might go to Vermont. I might go to Pennsylvania, but I won't go far. I won't go down south or anything like that. Won't go to Florida.”

Another reason why gas prices have spiked is because refineries shut down temporarily for maintenance. So the demand is up, but the supply remains low.