Rising Tensions Push Diesel Prices Above Record $5.85 Gallon

Diesel prices have climbed to a fresh peak, breaking the previous record held since June 2022. The American Automobile Association reports that as of Sept. 4, the national average hit $5.85. This figure eclipses the old high of $5.8159 set back in the summer of last year. The jump was sharp and immediate. Prices moved from $5.7832 on Thursday to $5.85 by Friday alone. Compare that to just six months ago when the average sat at $5.3715, or look a full year back to see how miserable things were before inflation took hold, with the price sitting at a paltry $3.7121.

Political tensions are driving this surge. Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona slammed Trump's actions on Thursday via X, stating that diesel prices have skyrocketed since Trump started his war with Iran. "Diesel fuels our supply chains and powers our farms and food production," the senator declared. He warned that even if you don't burn the fuel yourself, those higher costs get passed on to you, making the food on your table more expensive. This is not just a gas station issue; it hits every sector of the economy.

The White House has yet to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding this spike in prices over the past six months. Americans are feeling the squeeze hard while an ongoing conflict with Iran plays out on the world stage. While Trump claims to have announced his biggest oil deal in world history, which he says will substantially lower gas prices, the reality for drivers is a different story right now.

Regular gasoline faces its own uphill battle too. As of Friday, the AAA national average price for regular fuel stands at $4.1474, compared to the year-ago average of $3.2016. The market hasn't found relief yet. The highest recorded AAA national average price for regular gas was set in June 2022 when Americans paid $5.0165 per gallon. We are not there again, but we are dangerously close to that same high-water mark.