If you’re traveling this holiday weekend, experts say if you didn’t gas up by 10 a.m. this morning, you’re probably going to pay higher prices.

Gas prices this July 4^th holiday weekend are already the highest since 2008 and have risen in the past month due to the crisis in Iraq, but AAA says prices are still about 40 cents less per gallon than in 2008. The motor club credits an abundance of supplies.

According to Chris Faulkner, CEO of Breitling Energy Corporation, gas prices can change dramatically in an instant and there have been developments just in the last 72 hours that could spike the price even more. Tropical Storm Arthur, which just formed off the east coast Tuesday morning, could head up the Eastern Seaboard and affect supplies, which in return will cause prices to spike. “It’s a constantly changing situation which always requires monitoring,” said Faulkner.

Additionally, AAA warns that continued unrest in Iraq could force prices up at any time. The motor club is now expecting prices to range in the $3.60 to $3.70 range for the rest of this month.

This holiday weekend’s average is considerably more expensive than recent years for the holiday. According to AAA, the national average on July 4 in previous years was: $3.48 (2013); $3.34 (2012); $3.57 (2011); $2.74 (2010); $2.62 (2009); and $4.10 (2008).

In the Western United States, motorists have it even worse where regular gasoline, as of Tuesday, was already over $4 a gallon on the West Coast. Southern states are seeing some of the lowest gas prices where regular is selling for less than $3.25 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.com.

Locally, Kosciusko County gas prices range from $3.52 at the low end to $3.69.

Faulkner offers some tips for saving gasoline this holiday weekend:

• Before you start out on a long trip, replace the air and fuel filter in your car. A clogged air filter can decrease mileage by up to 10 percent.
• Fill up your tank on Wednesday or Thursday before 10 a.m. Gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of holiday weekend travel. Usually 10 a.m. is when most station owners make their price change for the day. Unless it is an emergency, do not buy gas Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
• Avoid the convenient gas station on the side of the highway as you drive home from work, which can be up to 15 cents more per gallon.
• Save money with self-service and look for gas stations where paying cash costs the same as using a credit or debit card. Double check the attendant and ensure, if you are paying by cash, that “cash” is noted on the pump. You could lose 5 cents a gallon if he mistakenly presses “credit.”
• Park in the shade. Gasoline evaporates right out of your fuel tank, and regardless of season, will do so quicker when you park in the sun. Parking in the shade will also maintain a cooler temperature inside your car, therefore you will need less A/C when you get back in. If shade unavailable, park so your gas tank is facing away from the direct sun. Also, buy gas when it’s cooler during the day (like the early morning or at night) to reduce gas evaporation.
• Plan your route in advance so you can travel at a constant speed as much as possible. Avoid driving through big cities in rush hours and take routes that bypass construction zones if possible.
• Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. In stop-and-go traffic, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning to save more money.
• Use the lowest grade of gasoline recommended for your vehicle. In most cases, higher octane gas is a waste of money, and octane has nothing to do with the quality of the gas. Check your user’s manual to see if you can use regular gas. You’ll save a ton of money at the pump.