Sticker shock coming at Indiana gas pumps - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indiana motorists may be in for a shock at the pump Tuesday morning.

Gas prices jumped as much as 40 cents a gallon at some stations around Indianapolis Monday night. A sign for $3.99 a gallon earlier in the evening stopped Dale Drew in his tracks.

"I'm upset. I'm at a loss for words here," Drew said at the Speedway station at Keystone and Prospect. "I'm going, 'Why the price of gasoline?' Four dollars a gallon? Seriously? There's no reason for it. I bought gas yesterday for $3.61 a gallon. Forty cents in one day? There's nothing going on."

National analysts have blamed refinery shutdowns and power outages due to Hurricane Isaac for the jump in price.

"One little storm. C'mon, you wanna jump prices?" Drew asked.

"It's always something. Every time you turn around, the gas goes from a small amount to a large amount so quickly," said Linda Hudson. "By the time you pay for your gas, you don't have no money to pay your bills."

Drivers like Hudson said they have no choice but to pay the higher price if they want to get anywhere.

"You know, you can't do without it. You gotta get to work," she said.

"I'd rather get me a bike and start riding," added Corey Cartwright, laughing in disgust.

On the city's far east side, the jump hadn't hit yet. That lead to long lines of drivers filling up at the lower price while they could.

"$3.57 to $3.99, that's crazy. But you know, what's new? It's up and down everyday," said Zach Engledow.

"$3.57 is a good price. $3.99, that's a bad price. I'd do $3.57 anytime of the day," added Renee Minifield.

The average cost of gas Monday was $3.84 a gallon nationwide. Chicago had the highest average price at $4.30, El Paso, Texas had the lowest average at $3.44 a gallon.

Triple-A has said prices are expected to decline as demand for gas decreases with the end of the summer driving season and the end of hurricane season. Refineries also will be switching to less expensive winter blend gasoline.