Overview
- The national retail diesel average reached about $6.31 per gallon, with several trackers reporting that level on Sept. 16 and some states such as Michigan setting new state records.
- Analysts say layered disruptions — Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz shipping attacks, strikes on Russian refineries and damage to Saudi pipeline infrastructure — have cut refined‑product flows and pushed crude above $100 a barrel.
- Low U.S. distillate inventories and refineries running near capacity have left little buffer, producing station outages in parts of the country and record‑high crack spreads that favor refiners over consumers.
- Truckers, small carriers and farmers report acute margin pressure from higher diesel bills, forcing some to add fuel surcharges or cut services and creating a real risk of higher prices for groceries and goods.
- Policymakers face rising pressure to act on taxes or relief as Britain’s pump prices near mid‑2022 peaks and U.S. forecasters warn diesel could climb further toward $6.50–$7 per gallon if supply disruptions persist.