The price of diesel in the US has reached a record high of $5.85 per gallon. Before the war in Iran, it was $3.76.
This figure surpassed the previous high of $5.819 per gallon, recorded on 17 June 2022 in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
The price of diesel in the United States has hit a new record high, averaging $5.85 per gallon for the first time, whilst the conflict with Iran, now in its sixth month, continues to have a significant impact on global fuel flows. This figure has surpassed the previous high of 5.819 dollars per gallon, recorded on 17 June 2022 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before the outbreak of war in Iran at the end of February 2026, the average national price of diesel in the United States was $3.76 per gallon.
Since 15 July, the average price of diesel has remained above $5 a gallon. Furthermore, 2026 is set to become the most expensive year for diesel in US history, according to Patrick De Haan, head of oil market analysis at GasBuddy, who posted on X.
The rise in diesel prices since the start of the war has therefore been 55 per cent and has been fuelled by growing concerns about global supplies. Before the conflict, around 900,000 barrels per day of diesel and 350,000 barrels per day of aviation fuel passed through the Gulf – volumes equivalent to, respectively, about 10 per cent and 20 per cent of global seaborne supply – according to the cargo monitoring firm Vortexa.
Furthermore, as diesel is essential for many freight and distribution networks, its rising price leads to higher transport costs for a wide range of everyday goods. Rising fuel costs are driving up expenses for businesses across various sectors; some have already passed these costs on to consumers by applying surcharges to online orders and postal deliveries. It is also likely that consumers will begin to notice increasingly noticeable price rises on shop shelves too.
One of the immediate impacts
One of the most immediate impacts is on the food sector, particularly with regard to fruit and vegetables, meat and other perishable goods that require frequent transport and restocking, or that are harvested using diesel-powered agricultural machinery. It may take some time before all these costs are reflected in the final prices.
