The average US diesel price jumped to a new record of nearly $6.45 a gallon on Friday, as oil prices remained above $100 a barrel and fuel supplies tightened in several states.
Record prices in 44 states
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said on the X platform on Thursday that New Jersey and Maine had recorded their highest diesel prices ever, bringing the number of states experiencing record prices to 44.
De Haan added that if prices continued rising at the same pace, the national average could surpass the inflation-adjusted peak recorded in 2022, which stood at $6.58.
Data from the American Automobile Association, or AAA, showed gasoline prices holding at $4.46 a gallon, about $0.10 below the annual May peak, which coincided with a sharp rise in oil prices amid tensions between the United States and Iran.
Regional variation in diesel prices
Data from the US Energy Information Administration showed widening regional disparities in diesel prices. While prices on the East Coast were in line with the national average, prices on the West Coast exceeded $8 a gallon, driven by higher taxes, limited refining capacity and reliance on imports.
In the Midwest, demand related to the harvest season and outages at some refineries pushed diesel prices close to $7 a gallon.
Some strategic analysts believe the United States could impose a ban on diesel exports before the congressional midterm elections if prices do not fall soon.
Temporary exemption for fuel truck drivers
The administration of US President Donald Trump issued a decision last Wednesday granting a 90-day exemption that temporarily eases rules governing the hours worked by truck drivers transporting gasoline and diesel, amid concerns over supplies and costs, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
The exemption allows drivers to work for up to 16 hours during a 24-hour period, compared with 14 hours under current requirements, provided they comply with mandatory rest periods.
