Gas prices expected to soar, could continue rising

ATLANTA — Drivers, brace yourselves for higher prices at the pump this week.

Gas prices are expected to rise about 15 cents a gallon because of growing tensions with Syria.

The upward trend comes after a missile strike happened this weekend.

According to AAA, gas prices are already six cents higher than last week, on average.

[Find out the lowest gas prices in metro Atlanta]

At one gas station in Clayton County, drivers are paying about $2.75.

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AAA warns you could see even higher prices in response to this weekend's missile strike on Syria.

The lowest price in metro Atlanta as of Monday morning was $2.45 at a Shell station in Johns Creek.

Channel 2's Rikki Klaus spoke to AAA spokesman Garrett Townsend on Monday about the increases.

“Certainly, as you start seeing international conflicts, particularly in that region, although Syria isn’t an oil-producing nation. They receive their inventories from Iran. Anytime there’s political issues in that region, you start to see some volatility at the pump,” Townsend said.

Townsend said he predicts prices will rise for the next month.

"Within the next few weeks, month, we'll start to see those prices steadily increase. Of course, then we start to get into the summer driving season, but you know, it's nothing that we're not used to," Townsend said.

Some drivers Klaus talked to on Monday said their hands are tied.

"When you have to have it, you have to have it," one driver said.

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