$4 a gallon gas across U.S. by April? Russia's invasion of Ukraine to drive up prices, experts say

As global markets react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, American motorists will be paying more for gasoline, but how much more is as uncertain as the outcome of the conflict now underway in Europe. 

"It's going to get worse here for anyone filling their tank up," Patrick De Haan, an oil and gas analyst at GasBuddy, told CBS MoneyWatch. "You could see motorists paying more as soon as later tonight."

Already at a roughly seven-year high, gas prices could rise five to 10 cents per gallon over the next week, and hit $3.75 in the next 15 to 20 days, according to De Haan. "And it doesn't end there — motorists are going to get hit by the Russia situation," which coupled with warmer temperatures and a recovering economy could have the national average topping four bucks a gallon by April, he said.