Rising Fuel Costs Drive up Prices Across the Board

WHO:

The Independent - Trump stated during a campaign rally, “It's a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done,” regarding the higher fuel prices due to the ongoing war against Iran.

The Independent - Trump also predicted that fuel prices would “come tumbling down...like a rocket ship in reverse.”

The Independent - President Trump acknowledged that fuel prices are “a little higher” during a campaign rally.

The Independent - Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Trump, stating, “This is Trump's fault. This should not be this high. It needs to end. Ridiculous.”

WHAT:

The Independent - Diesel prices in California have reached a record average of $8.50 per gallon.

Semafor - Shipowners have commissioned more than twice the number of tankers this year compared to all of 2025, driven by soaring demand due to the Middle East conflict.

Semafor - The cost of leasing a tanker has soared to record highs, with daily rates growing around tenfold in the last year to more than $1 million.

The Independent - Gulf Oil's chief energy adviser, Tom Kloza, predicted “staggering increases at the pump for both gasoline & diesel,” particularly in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain states.

The Independent - SoFi chief market strategist Liz Thomas stated that diesel prices could rise to $6.65/gal by election day based on worsening trends.

The Independent - Diesel prices in California have reached a record average of $8.39 per gallon.

Semafor - Shipowners have commissioned more than twice the number of tankers this year compared to all of 2025, driven by soaring demand due to the Middle East conflict.

Semafor - The cost of leasing a tanker has soared to record highs, with daily rates growing around tenfold in the last year to more than $1 million.

The Independent - Diesel prices are now averaging $6.40 per gallon nationally, up 9 cents from the previous day.

The Independent - The average national price of regular unleaded gas has increased to $4.44 a gallon, up 39 percent from a year ago.

The Independent - Diesel prices are expected to rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day, as trends have worsened.

Fox Business - The global average jet fuel price rose 6.1% week over week to $181.46 per barrel last week.

Fox Business - American Airlines Chief Financial Officer Devon May stated that fourth-quarter jet fuel prices are running about $1 per gallon above previous projections, adding roughly $1 billion to its fuel bill.

Fox Business - United Airlines Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen indicated that some flights planned for December will no longer operate due to higher fuel prices.

The Independent - Recent drone attacks against a crucial East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia led to its temporary shutdown, threatening 4 percent of the world’s oil supply.

The Independent - Diesel prices are expected to climb higher, with predictions indicating they could rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day, as trends have worsened.

The Independent - The average price for a gallon of diesel was still hovering around a record-high of $6.43 as of the latest data published by GasBuddy.

The Independent - Diesel now costs an average of $6.40 a gallon nationally, up 9 cents from the previous day and a staggering 73 percent over the past year.

The Independent - The average national price of regular unleaded gas jumped 7 cents overnight to $4.44 a gallon, and has increased by 39 percent since a year ago.

The Independent - Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, stated that New Jersey and Maine had just broken their diesel-cost records, making it now 44 states where diesel prices are at all-time highs.

The Independent - Gulf Oil's chief energy adviser, Tom Kloza, predicted “staggering increases at the pump for both gasoline & diesel,” particularly in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain states.

The Independent - Recent drone attacks against a crucial East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia led to its temporary shutdown, threatening 4 percent of the world’s oil supply.

The Independent - Diesel prices are expected to climb higher, with predictions indicating they could rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day, as trends have worsened.

Fox Business - The global average jet fuel price rose 6.1% week over week to $181.46 per barrel last week.

Fox Business - United Airlines Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen indicated that some flights planned for December will no longer operate due to higher fuel prices.

The Independent - Diesel now costs an average of $6.40 a gallon nationally, up 9 cents from the previous day.

The Independent - The average national price of regular unleaded gas jumped 7 cents overnight to $4.44 a gallon.

The Independent - Gulf Oil's chief energy adviser, Tom Kloza, predicted “staggering increases at the pump for both gasoline & diesel.”

The Independent - SoFi chief market strategist Liz Thomas stated that diesel prices could rise to $6.65/gal by election day based on worsening trends.

Vox - Diesel hit a record $6.40 per gallon, up 73 percent from a year ago.

The Independent - The average national price of regular unleaded gas increased to $4.44 a gallon, up 39 percent from a year ago.

The Independent - Diesel prices are at all-time highs in 44 states, with only six states having seen higher prices in the past.

The Independent - Predictions indicate diesel prices could rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day.

WHERE:

The Independent - Diesel prices in California have reached a record average of $8.50 per gallon.

The Independent - Diesel prices are at record highs in New Jersey and Maine.

The Independent - Diesel was selling for $8.50 a gallon in California.

WHEN:

The Independent - The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.

The Independent - The midterm elections are on November 3.

The Independent - The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.

The Independent - The ongoing war against Iran began on February 28.

WHY:

CBS News - The Iran war and Russia-Ukraine conflict are knocking out global refining capacity, pushing fuel prices higher, analysts said.

The Independent - The limited traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped this week as fighting intensified between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Independent - The increase in fuel prices is attributed to the fallout from President Trump’s ongoing war against Iran, which restricts global oil supplies.

The Independent - Global fuel supplies have been affected by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil transit route.

HOW:

Fox Business - United Airlines Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen indicated that some flights planned for December will no longer operate due to higher fuel prices.

Fox Business - American Airlines will continue adjusting capacity later in the fourth quarter in response to higher fuel costs.

Fox Business - American Airlines Chief Financial Officer Devon May reported that fourth-quarter jet fuel prices are running about $1 per gallon above previous projections, adding roughly $1 billion to its fuel bill.

Fox Business - United Airlines Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen indicated that some flights planned for December will no longer operate due to higher fuel prices.

The Independent - Recent drone attacks on a crucial East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia led to its temporary shutdown, threatening 4 percent of the world’s oil supply.

The Independent - Fuel-related costs can account for up to 30 percent of the total cost of some food items, with a sustained increase in fuel prices potentially pushing up retail food prices by 2 to 4 percent.

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 05:57 UTC)

Diesel prices in California have surged to a record average of $8.50 per gallon, reflecting the ongoing impact of global conflicts on fuel availability. Analysts attribute this spike to the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which are disrupting refining capacity and driving up costs. Looking ahead, SoFi chief market strategist Liz Thomas has warned that diesel prices could climb to $6.65 per gallon by election day on November 3, as trends continue to worsen.

(UPDATED September 19, 2026 03:57 UTC)

Diesel prices in California have hit a record average of $8.39 per gallon, marking a significant increase for consumers. Meanwhile, shipowners have commissioned more than twice the number of tankers this year compared to all of 2025, driven by soaring demand linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Additionally, the cost of leasing a tanker has skyrocketed to record highs, with daily rates increasing around tenfold in the past year to exceed $1 million.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 21:59 UTC)

Diesel prices have surged to an average of $6.40 per gallon nationally, reflecting a 9-cent increase from the previous day, and are projected to rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day due to worsening trends. Meanwhile, the average price of regular unleaded gas has climbed to $4.44 a gallon, marking a 39 percent increase from a year ago. In California, diesel prices have reached a staggering record average of $8.50 per gallon, driven by global conflicts that are disrupting refining capacity and pushing fuel prices higher.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 18:58 UTC)

During a recent campaign rally, Trump remarked that the higher fuel prices resulting from the ongoing war against Iran are “a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done,” while also predicting that prices would “come tumbling down...like a rocket ship in reverse.” Currently, the average price for a gallon of diesel is around a record-high of $6.43, and forecasts suggest it could rise to $6.65 per gallon by election day on November 3, as the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict continue to disrupt global refining capacity. Analysts warn that these geopolitical tensions are contributing to the upward trend in fuel prices.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 17:00 UTC)

Diesel prices have surged to an average of $6.40 a gallon nationally, marking a 9-cent increase from the previous day and a staggering 73 percent rise over the past year, while regular unleaded gas has jumped to $4.44 a gallon, up 7 cents overnight and 39 percent since last year. Patrick De Haan from GasBuddy noted that New Jersey and Maine have set new diesel-cost records, contributing to a total of 44 states experiencing all-time highs in diesel prices, and Gulf Oil's Tom Kloza warned of significant increases in fuel costs, especially in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain regions. In the airline industry, American Airlines is facing an additional $1 billion in fuel costs due to fourth-quarter jet fuel prices being about $1 per gallon higher than expected, leading United Airlines to cancel some flights planned for December.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 16:01 UTC)

Diesel prices are projected to rise significantly, potentially reaching $6.65 per gallon by election day as trends worsen. Meanwhile, the global average jet fuel price has increased by 6.1% to $181.46 per barrel, prompting American Airlines to adjust its fourth-quarter capacity and leading United Airlines to cancel some December flights due to soaring fuel costs. The situation has been exacerbated by limited traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, as fighting escalates between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 14:00 UTC)

Diesel prices have reached an average of $6.40 a gallon nationally, marking a 9-cent increase from the previous day, while regular unleaded gas has jumped to $4.44 a gallon after a 7-cent overnight rise. Gulf Oil's chief energy adviser, Tom Kloza, has warned of staggering increases at the pump for both gasoline and diesel, with predictions that diesel could rise to $6.65 a gallon by election day. Additionally, American Airlines has reported that fourth-quarter jet fuel prices are running about $1 per gallon above previous projections, which is expected to add roughly $1 billion to its fuel bill, prompting United Airlines to cancel some December flights due to these rising costs.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 13:06 UTC)

President Trump recently acknowledged that fuel prices are “a little higher” during a campaign rally, while former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized him, claiming, “This is Trump's fault. This should not be this high.” Diesel has reached a record $6.40 per gallon, with predictions suggesting it could rise to $6.65 by election day on November 3, largely due to the impact of Trump's ongoing war against Iran, which has restricted global oil supplies.