Key numbers
US diesel statistics (August 2026)
The headline numbers, each written as one sentence you can quote, with the date its data runs through and a citation. Free to republish with attribution — see the methodology. The charts behind these numbers are one click away.
The DOE number #
US on-highway diesel averaged $5.652/gal in EIA's latest Monday release — the index most fuel surcharge schedules peg to.
About this data: EIA Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Price survey · US average on-highway retail diesel, No. 2 · On-highway retail pump, taxed · United States · through Aug 24, 2026
Weekly move #
The DOE diesel number moved +19.8 cents on the week (up), week of Aug 24, 2026.
DOE vs 5-yr #
The DOE diesel number is 52% above its 5-yr median for the week.
About this data: EIA Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Price survey · US average on-highway retail diesel, No. 2 · On-highway retail pump, taxed · United States · through Aug 24, 2026
Fuel cost per mile #
At the stated 6.5 mpg reference, diesel runs 87.0 cents/mi — fuel only, not all-in cost.
About this data: Derived from EIA weekly on-highway diesel survey · Fuel cost per mile at a 6.5 mpg reference · Fuel only, 6.5 mpg reference efficiency · United States · through Aug 24, 2026
West vs Gulf spread #
The West Coast (PADD 5) pays +92.6 cents/gal over the Gulf Coast (PADD 3), the widest structural gap on the diesel map.
About this data: Derived from EIA weekly on-highway diesel survey · West Coast vs Gulf Coast · Region pump price minus the US average · through Aug 24, 2026
Retail over spot #
The US pump price sits $1.049/gal over Gulf Coast ULSD spot (taxes + distribution, a retail-layer proxy).
About this data: Derived from EIA retail diesel and ULSD spot · US pump price vs Gulf Coast spot · Retail pump (taxed) minus FOB spot · through Aug 17, 2026
Gulf Coast spot #
Gulf Coast ULSD spot is $4.422/gal.
About this data: EIA daily spot price · ULSD spot, 0-15 ppm sulfur · FOB hub, wholesale, untaxed · Gulf Coast · through Aug 18, 2026
Priciest region #
California has the highest regional pump price, $7.040/gal.
About this data: EIA Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Price survey · On-highway retail diesel, No. 2 · On-highway retail pump, taxed · California · through Aug 24, 2026
Cheapest region #
Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) has the lowest regional pump price, $5.350/gal.
About this data: EIA Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Price survey · On-highway retail diesel, No. 2 · On-highway retail pump, taxed · Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) · through Aug 24, 2026