Gas prices could be back over four dollars a gallon this summer; at least, that's the word from a petroleum analysis expert.

It could be a bumpy road for consumers hitting the highway for summer vacation. According to GasBuddy's Patrick DeHaan, prices are unlikely to hit record levels like in 2022, but the new year could be rough.

One of the contributing factors to the higher prices is China's economy reopening after significant cases of COVID-19. Another contributing factor is more families needing fuel for summer vacations.