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| US Diesel Price $6.28 Record High October 2026 |
🎥 Watch:https://youtube.com/shorts/slbhyDOb9kw?si=Fzu2-fOZKL1S5yj9
You know what's crazy right now in America? Diesel is $6.28 per gallon.
I checked AAA this morning. Just three weeks ago, on September 22, it hit $6.53 — that was the highest ever. The old record was $5.81 back in June 2022 during the last crisis. We thought that was bad. Now $6.53 is the new normal. And here's the wild part — President Trump is now buying diesel from Russia to fix it. Yes, Russia. The same country he put 100% tariffs on just three weeks ago.
Let me explain what's really occurring, because if you drive a truck, or you know someone who does in the US, this affects you directly.
Why Is Diesel So Expensive Right Now?
It's not crude oil. That's what most people get wrong. Crude is around $90-$103 right now. High, but not record high. The problem is refineries. According to EIA data for the week of October 5, America only has 105.1 million barrels of distillate in stock. That's 12% below the normal 5-year average. On the East Coast, it's even worse — 32% below normal.
Why? Four reasons stacking together:
First, the Strait of Hormuz. Because of the US-Israel war on Iran that started in February, ships have to take longer routes. Insurance costs went crazy. One-fifth of the world's oil passes through that narrow waterway.
Second, refineries are being attacked. Russian refineries hit by Ukraine; Middle East refineries under pressure.
Third, America lost refineries during COVID and never rebuilt them. Right now, refineries are running at 92.7% capacity. They can't make more diesel even if they want to.
Fourth, it's harvest season plus winter heating coming. Farmers, truckers, heating homes — everyone needs diesel at the same time.
Result? In California, diesel is $8.44. I saw a report about fishing boats in Washington — one trip needs $80,000 in diesel. So boats are just staying docked. No fishing. When diesel was $3.72 last October, now it's $6.28. That's almost double in one year.
So What Did Trump Do?
On October 12, Trump announced a deal with Putin. I know, sounds strange. The deal is that Russia will send 300,000 tons of diesel immediately to the US. Then 500,000 tons in November. Then 1 million tons after that, until April 2027.
The White House hasn't officially confirmed all details, but three industry sources told Reuters that Trump is preparing a special order to bring prices down before the November 3 elections. And this is important — November 3 is the midterm elections. Trump's approval is at 32% right now. And gas prices are the main reason people are angry.
Trump also asked Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. His team said attacking refineries now would be like attacking US economic interests, because the US needs that Russian diesel. Think about it. Three weeks ago, Trump signed the Graham Act allowing 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil. Now America itself is buying Russian diesel.
G7 Also Released 100 Million Barrels
Before the Russia deal, on October 2, G7 countries (US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, etc.) agreed to release 100 million barrels from emergency reserves.
Most of it is diesel. They started releasing immediately.
Effect? In the Philippines, diesel will drop by P3.01 per liter tomorrow, October 13. That's because of G7.
But in America? Gasoline is still at a $4.35 national average. That's 5 cents down from last week, but 94 cents up from last year. And this is the first time in history that gas is above $4 in October. Normally prices fall in autumn. Not this year.
In Georgia, it's cheaper — $3.81 average, $3.71 in Albany. In New York State, places like Batavia: $4.39, Buffalo: $4.39, Syracuse: $4.36.So G7 helped a little, but not enough.
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| G7 agreed on Oct 2 to release 100 million barrels to lower diesel prices |
Will Russian Diesel Actually Lower Prices Before Election?
Honestly, most experts say no.
I read analysis from Discovery Alert, and they said — Russian imports won't help before midterms. Why? Because the problem is not crude oil; it's refined diesel. Even if you bring more crude, refineries are already full.
The profit refineries make is called the crack spread — it's $117 per barrel right now. Huge. They are making money but can't make more fuel. So even if that Russian diesel ship arrives tomorrow, it will take weeks to distribute. Election is November 3. That's just 21 days away.
For a trucker in Ohio paying $6.28 today, filling a 120-gallon tank costs $753. Last year, the same tank was $446. That's $300 extra per fill. If you fill twice a week, that's $2,400 extra per month. Will that trucker vote based on gas price? Probably yes.
Brent crude fell to $103.04 on Monday after Trump announced the deal. WTI is at $90.96. So the market reacted a little. But with the war still going and Houthis attacking Saudi oil facilities, prices will stay high.
My Take
I am writing this from Faisalabad, but I watch US gas prices daily for my blog. What I see is—this is not just about fuel. It's about elections.
Trump needs gas under $4 before Nov. 3. He tried an Ohio gas tax holiday, Georgia tax suspension, G7 reserves, and now Russian diesel. Each step helped 5-10 cents, but not enough.
If you are in America reading this, expect diesel to stay above $6 until at least November. Gas may drop to $4.25 if G7 oil hits the market fast. But don't expect $3 again this year.
If you are outside the US, Pakistan, India, or the Philippines— this G7 release may help diesel drop a bit, but gasoline is still rising $1.56 per liter because of the same crisis.
Let's see if Trump's Russia gamble works. History will remember this as the year America had to buy Russian diesel to keep its trucks running.
What do you think? Will $6.28 drop before the election?
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