National Average Diesel Price Reaches $6.40 Per Gallon

<p>The national average price for diesel reached a record $6.40 per gallon on September 17, 2026, reflecting an increase of nearly 73% from the previous year.</p><p>According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price for diesel was $6.3956, up from $3.7075 one year earlier, marking the highest national average recorded by the organization.</p><p>During a campaign rally in North Carolina on September 16, President Donald Trump described the higher fuel prices as a relatively small “price to pay” compared to the prospect of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, justifying his actions against the Islamic Republic. “It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done. Remember that,” Trump stated. “It’s a little more. Frankly, even if it was a lot more.”</p><p>Trump predicted that fuel prices would soon decrease significantly, stating, “But that’s going to come tumbling down… That’s going to be like rocket ships in reverse.”</p><p>Diesel prices began to rise after the war with Iran commenced earlier this year, as disruptions to global oil supplies pushed crude prices higher. In early February, prices were around $3.68, but by mid-March, they had jumped to $4.80. The increase has accelerated in recent weeks amid ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, disruptions to Russian fuel supplies, and damage to a major Saudi pipeline.</p><p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that elevated energy prices will not persist indefinitely. In an interview earlier this month, Bessent predicted that crude oil prices could fall as low as $40 per barrel after the conflict ends. “We’re going to get on the other side of this Iran conflict, and I expect that oil will come down,” Bessent stated. “We’re going to be very much oversupplied in the oil market after this.”</p><p>Gasoline prices are also elevated, with the national average reaching approximately $4.44 per gallon on September 17, up from $3.20 one year ago, according to AAA. This current average remains about 58 cents below the record of $5.0165 set in June 2022.</p><p>Higher fuel prices could pose political challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November, as Democrats attribute the increased costs to the president. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom stated on social media, “The average American family is spending an additional $4,200 every year because of Donald Trump,” referencing an estimate from the congressional Joint Economic Committee.</p><p>Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) remarked, “Trump still can’t explain what this war is for. All he’s delivered is higher gas and grocery prices.”</p><p>A national poll conducted in June indicated that about two-thirds of registered voters believe that fuel costs will likely influence their votes in November.</p>