Story perspectives

U.S. diesel tops $6 a gallon, driving prices higher

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 2:29 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. diesel prices hit a national record above $6 per gallon.
AAA reported the national average at $6.0556 per gallon on Thursday.
GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warned the $6 benchmark is unavoidable and could raise delivery costs.
Economists say higher diesel will lift grocery and delivery prices through the rest of the year.
Labor Department said diesel’s 24.1% August jump accounted for over a third of producer-price increase.

History

Historical Context

October 1973 OAPEC, led by Saudi King Faisal, embargoed the United States and other Israel allies, driving world oil prices up nearly 300% (about $3 to $12 per barrel). President Richard Nixon answered with emergency fuel controls, including the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. The August 2024 diesel price surge echoes that 1970s supply shock.

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Story summary

U.S. diesel prices hit a national record above $6 per gallon.
AAA reported the national average at $6.0556 per gallon on Thursday.
GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warned the $6 benchmark is unavoidable and could raise delivery costs.
Economists say higher diesel will lift grocery and delivery prices through the rest of the year.
Labor Department said diesel’s 24.1% August jump accounted for over a third of producer-price increase.

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