US drivers are paying an all-time-high of $5.85 per gallon for diesel fuel, up from $3.71 a year ago and surpassing the previous record set after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The price surge is linked to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, which has disrupted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. According to American Automobile Association data, western states are being hit particularly hard by high diesel prices due to tax differences and their distance from major oil producers. President Trump recently announced a deal with Venezuela aimed at reducing gas prices for Americans, but analysts have expressed skepticism about its potential impact.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The national average price of diesel in the US reached an all-time high of $5.85 per gallon on Friday, surpassing the previous peak set in June 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported this new record, which comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues to deal with the aftermath of the war with Iran. Diesel prices have surged since February when Iran responded to US and Israeli strikes by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global energy trade. This has led to increased transportation and production costs for many products, including groceries. The high diesel price is also expected to impact the California economy, with prices nearing $7.71 per gallon in some areas. The war-driven disruptions to fuel supplies are driving up costs for small trucking fleets, family farms, and low-income households. Economists say the diesel spike is not unprecedented, but it comes at a time when voters are already sour on the economy ahead of November's midterm elections.
Written for “US Diesel Price Crisis” on 2026-09-05,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 3877 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-04
- Published
Drivers in the US are paying more than ever for diesel at the pump as the US-Israel war with Iran continues to hit Americans' wallets.
asserted
war → pay → wallets
In the US, diesel is mostly used by commercial vehicles, such as trucks, trains, boats, buses, farming vehicles and construction vehicles.
asserted
diesel → use → trucks
The average price for one gallon of diesel in the US has hit $5.85, compared to an average of $3.71 a year ago and above the previous high following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
uncertain
price → hit → Association
Fuel prices have soared since the Iran conflict began at the end of February, reflecting the surge in wholesale oil prices.
In response to rising fuel costs, US President Donald Trump recently pledged to "substantially lower Gas Prices for all Americans" through an oil deal with Venezuela.
In January, the former leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was seized by US special forces following a raid authorised by President Trump.
asserted
leader → soar → Trump
The latest agreement, announced on Saturday, calls for the development of 17 strategic oil fields with a proven potential of 65 billion barrels, as well as "an investment of more than $100bn (£73.9bn) and more than $209bn in taxes" for Venezuela, according to Interim Venuzuela President Delcy Rodríguez.
uncertain
agreement → announce → Rodríguez
The US government will retain 55% control of a joint venture with an "experienced private operator in Venezuela", a US official told the BBC's US partner CBS News.
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official → retain → partner
But some analysts have reacted with scepticism, including questioning whether the deal would address long-running obstacles that have deterred investment in Venezuela's oil industry.
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that → react → industry
Oil is a key ingredient in car fuel and supplies have been limited by Iran responding to the war by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway south of the country through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported.
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fifth → limit → oil
Rocketing pump prices have angered US voters ahead of the crucial midterm elections in November.
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prices → rocket → November
According to recent Reuters/Ipsos polling, Trump's approval rating has fallen to 33%, with just 31% of Americans approving of the conflict.
However, not all Americans face the same level of price rises.
uncertain
Americans → accord → rises
According to the AAA's data, those in the Western states pay much more than those elsewhere, due to tax differences and distance from US oil producers.
uncertain
those → accord → producers
For example, in Washington, average diesel prices are $6.81 a gallon, compared to $5.03 a gallon a year ago.
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prices → compare → 5.03
As well as high diesel prices, Americans also face historically high petrol costs, with the average price per gallon reaching $4.15 compared to $3.20 a year ago.
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price → face → 3.20
