The average diesel price in Texas hit a new record, reaching $5.96 per gallon.
Previously, the record price for the Texas statewide average diesel price was $5.33, set on June 19, 2022.
That means motorists such as truck drivers who rely on diesel are seeing historically high prices at the pump, according to the AAA Texas spokesperson.
As of Thursday, Sept. 17, the statewide average gas price in Texas is $3.93 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel.
Gas prices have now climbed back to levels last seen earlier this year in the spring, and if crude oil and pump prices do not retreat soon, Texas could see the highest statewide average September gas price on record.
While Texas could set a record for the highest statewide average September gas price,
current prices remain well below the state’s all-time record of $4.69 per gallon, set in June 2022.
Many drivers in Texas want to know why and when diesel prices might go down. Here is what we know.
Why is price of diesel so high?
The war in Iran stands as the leading cause of rising gas prices. Since the start of the conflict, Americans have spent nearly $730 million more on gas. In one week, the average price of diesel fuel in Texas went from $5.58 per gallon on Sept. 11 to $5.96 per gallon Thursday, Sept. 17.
Turns out all those extra cents a gallon you have been paying for fuel since the United States launched strikes against Iran in late February have been adding up, with Americans spending more than $108.2 billion more than they would have had there been no war.
That works out to $826 a household, as of early Thursday, Sept. 17.
Will diesel prices go down?
The cost is growing by the second and it is expected to accelerate over the next few days as fuel costs continue to rise. In the past week, diesel price highs have been broken almost daily, and oil company executives have warned that fuel stocks and strategic crude oil reserves tapped to help keep prices down are being depleted.
In short: The energy crisis is not just for America, but for the world, and it is getting worse, not better.
What is price of diesel in Juárez?
The price of diesel in Juárez is a few cents cheaper than in Texas. Diesel is averaging from $5.59 to $5.61 across various gas stations in Juárez.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok. Detroit Free Press contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pump shock: Texas diesel reaches highest price ever at $5.96 a gallon
