US Fuel Prices Hit Record Highs Amid Global Conflict

U.S. gasoline and diesel prices surged to record highs in September 2026, driven by a combination of geopolitical conflict and supply chain failures. The national average for regular gasoline climbed to approximately $4.44 to $4.47 per gallon, while diesel reached an all-time high, peaking between $6.44 and $6.53 per gallon. The sharpest gasoline increases occurred in the Great Lakes region, where refinery issues pushed prices in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin up by more than 30 cents per gallon in a single week.

Donald Trump and other officials attributed the volatility to a series of global disruptions. These include the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, Houthi rebel seizures of the port city of Mokha and attacks in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline. Additionally, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and a Russian ban on petroleum exports further tightened global supplies. President Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt refinery attacks to alleviate the shortage.

The price spikes have created severe financial strain across multiple sectors. Trucking firms, such as Freymiller Trucking, reported absorbing millions in added costs, while farmers in the Midwest and Montana faced nearly doubled fuel expenses during the corn and soybean harvest. Municipalities in Ohio reported budget pressures for essential services like trash collection and street maintenance. In response, the U.S. Department of Transportation authorized gasoline haulers to work additional hours to increase supply.