COLDWATER (WTVB) - Gasoline prices in Branch County spiked about twenty cents a gallon on Monday, going up to as much as $3.09 a gallon, as folks prepare to head home for the holidays. You might still be able to find a station that hasn’t adjusted upwards yet. Meijer and Speedway led the way to higher prices yesterday afternoon.

Patrick Dehaan, the West Michigan gas analyst for Gas Buddy.com says there is no real economic reason for a hike, other than the Holiday. He says raising it this early may mean prices will actually come back down a little before Christmas, but don’t bank on it.

AAA of Michigan says they don’t think the higher prices will keep anyone from traveling this holiday weekend. They may grumble about it, but it won’t keep them home.