Hurricane Harvey impacting gas prices along NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A gas hike is going into effect Friday at stops along the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

At the Alexander Hamilton Service Area in Secaucus they've already got the new price posted: $2.56 a gallon.

Check your local gas prices here: https://www.gasbuddy.com/

Pain at the pump is coming and you can blame this one on Hurricane Harvey.

The devastation in Texas shut down the largest refinery in the United States causing an instant spike in gas prices, a ripple effect stretching coast to coast.

Starting Friday on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, the price of a regular gallon of gas is going up 22 cents to $2.56. Premium will be $3.

"We can't change what happened but we can move on from that," a driver said.

Some drivers at the rest stop in Secaucus were a bit suspicious.

"It's a holiday weekend. It absolutely makes me wonder," said Mary Cummins, a driver.

"I find these things are very conveniently done. I mean I know I understand the emergency and all the problems there, but you know it's just crazy how this gas goes up. It seems like they're always looking for a reason," said Kevin Cummins, a driver.

The storm crippled more than 20-percent of US refining capacity.

15 Gulf Coast refineries were shut down.

"They need to get these refineries up and running," a driver said.

Experts say it will likely get worse.

Because of Harvey, New York is now sending gas down south.

By next week, drivers in the tristate area could see another 10 to 15 cent spike.

"Refineries in Staten Island sending gas to Florida," said Robert Sinclair, AAA.

There is some good news for drivers though, analysts predict this price spike will last just a couple of weeks.