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WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP — Earlier this year, experts predicted gas prices would reach almost five dollars a gallon. They’re not quite that high, but t...

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP -- Earlier this year, experts predicted gas prices would reach almost five dollars a gallon.

They're not quite that high, but there has been a steady increase over the last month.

Gas is often a necessity. Drivers can't live without it, but that doesn't mean they have to like it.

"Any money I do have goes towards my car, and it's really weighing me financially."

Gas prices in the Wilkes-Barre area have gone up 14 cents since last week and 33 cents a gallon in just the last month.

The Sheetz on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township is selling regular gas for $3.65 a gallon.

ABC News reports the Chevron Refinery fire in California and refinery breakdowns throughout the west coast are partly to blame for the spike, one that drivers are not taking lightly.

"I understand all that but at the end of the day it's like you're really killing everyone who's struggling financially here," said Helen Tavarez, of Wilkes-Barre Township.

Chris Caines said he's been driving this car less because it guzzles so much gas.

"It's not cheap to run everyday so i actually have a four-cylinder I run a lot of the time so I don't have to use this everyday. Plus you have to buy the more expensive for this," said Chris Caines of Hanover Township.

Some drivers said they don't think it's just the oil refinery fires that are causing these gas prices to go up.

"I also think it's from the summer and everybody's going back to school and they know everybody's traveling to go back to college or last vacation or what not," said Christa Woodside, of Maryland.

So what are drivers doing to pay less? Not much it seems.

"Right now there's not really a way to get around it. It is what it is," said Ken Woodside, of Maryland.

The refinery breakdowns and fires are expected to continue having a ripple effect on gas prices around the country.

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