President Donald Trump is pushing for a ban on diesel exports as prices reached record highs, but some observers worry that that could actually cause prices to spike even more.
Trump and several U.S. candidates who are in competitive races have called for export bans as the national average price for diesel fuel rose to a record $6.52 per gallon on Wednesday, Sept. 23, according to AAA. That figure is up 21 cents from a national diesel average of $6.31 per gallon one week ago on Sept. 16. A year ago, on Sept. 23, 2025, the national average price of a gallon of diesel was $3.69, according to AAA.
"Well, I've called for that, too," Trump said while attending the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. "I've said, 'Let's not send out
the diesel.' We make a lot of diesel." The president, however, cautioned that a ban could have "a little bit of effect" on the price of regular gasoline.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, also said recently he is "open to exploring" a diesel export ban "if that would take pressure off of prices," according to a report from Bloomberg News.
"I think right now, obviously we are hopeful that the administration's efforts will lead to getting the Strait of Hormuz open, getting the shipping lanes open," Thune said during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. "And taking some of the pressure off of the American people's pocketbooks via a lower price at the pump for gasoline. So yes, we want to see that conflict come to an end, and I think the administration is working aggressively to make that happen."
With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars Team took a look at why diesel prices are rising and whether an export ban would really lower prices.
Why does diesel fuel cost more than regular gas?
Diesel fuel was historically cheaper than regular gasoline, except during exceptionally cold winters when there was greater demand for diesel and other heating oils, but that trend started reversing around September 2004, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
The agency attributed the higher diesel costs to these three factors:
- Higher demand for diesel fuel, especially in Europe, China, India, and the United States
- Increased diesel production and distribution costs due to the transition to less-polluting, lower-sulfur diesel fuels in the United States
- Higher federal gas taxes for on-highway diesel fuel (24.40 cents per gallon), which is 6 cents per gallon higher than the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax
Would a diesel export ban actually lower prices?
Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, said in an X post that a diesel export ban might temporarily lower diesel prices, but he said any relief from such a maneuver could be fleeting. He said any such relief would also not be universally felt across the country and could also result in higher prices for regular gas.
"Banning diesel exports is unlikely to be successful in pushing diesel prices down aside from Gulf states ... it will likely push refiners to cut production rates which could mean even higher gasoline prices as well," he wrote. "Conventional wisdom that it’ll lower prices? It’s a trap."
today's time/temp check at the pump- Sept. 23, and diesel remains at record levels. gas prices aren't there, but if the government bans diesel export, there's a solid chance they'll head toward that direction. for now, $4.48/gal average. pic.twitter.com/6Hu4KPLFN1
— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) September 23, 2026
That analysis hasn't stopped Republican political candidates who are feeling the heat from voters on high gas and diesel prices from calling for export bans.
"The war in Iran needs to end to bring costs down – but Michigan families can’t afford to wait," Rep. Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican who is the party's U.S Senate nominee, said in an Sept. 21 X post. "Here’s what we can do now: place a temporary embargo on Diesel exports. American energy should provide relief to American families first."
"The House should return to DC immediately to work to pause diesel exports, suspend the gas tax, fully unleash E15 and biodiesel, and work on a diesel relief program for truckers and farmers," Rep. Ashley Hinson, an Iowa Republican who is also her party's U.S. Senate nominee, said in a Sept. 22 X post. "Americans need relief and I’ll work with anyone to deliver."
How has President Trump previously tried to lower gas and diesel prices?
Trump has said recently that high prices are a "small price to pay" for Americans facing the economic consequences of record high diesel prices at the pump. But despite taking that stance publicly, the Trump administration has made several attempts this year to lower gas prices as voter concerns about pump pain have mounted.
In July, the White House touted the launch of 25 Freedom Fuel gas stations in the northeast United States, all selling fuel at $3.47 a gallon, to great fanfare. But the stations were concentrated in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and they appeared to have little impact on prices at the pump in those states. The average price of gas in Pennsylvania on Sept. 23 was $4.55 per gallon, and the average price at the pump in New Jersey on Sept. 23 was $4.40.
Trump has also previously pressured gas retailers to lower prices at the pump, accusing them of price gouging at a time when oil prices were starting to fall.
Trump has been pushing Congress to pass legislation that would allow sales of higher-ethanol gasoline as U.S. lawmakers grapple with rising gas prices that have upset many Americans in an election year.
In an updated 2026 budget request sent to Congress on June 24, the White House requested a new law that would codify "the permanent, year-round sale" of E15 gas, which is gasoline blended with 15% ethanol. Doing so, the White House said, would amount to "an urgent and needed policy change that would expand consumer choice, support domestic fuel production, and provide additional flexibility in fuel markets."
GasBuddy's De Haan said in a blog post that gas prices are likely to remain elevated as long as there is an ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.
"While most of the country transitions to cheaper winter-blend gasoline this week, the scale of ongoing geopolitical escalations makes meaningful price relief unlikely in the near term," De Haan wrote. "Motorists should brace for continued volatility ahead.”
Joey Garrison, a White House correspondent for USA TODAY, contributed to this report.
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Trump's proposed diesel export ban could raise gas prices
