While gasoline prices grab headlines, diesel quietly powers the trucks, farms, freight trains and heavy equipment that keep the U.S. economy moving. Diesel prices, which averaged $3.56 a gallon in January 2025, have climbed to $5.13 since the Iran conflict began, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A fully loaded semitruck typically gets just 6 to 7 miles per gallon of diesel, according to Department of Energy data. "From an inflationary perspective, I'm very concerned about the recent rise in diesel prices as it pertains to the cost of food or grocery store prices. Roughly 20 million barrels of oil pass through it each day, and disruptions can quickly tighten fuel supplies and drive diesel prices higher.