Trump weighs diesel export ban as U.S. prices hit record $6.52

U.S. diesel prices hit a record national average of $6.52 per gallon on September 14, 2026, up 74% from a year earlier, driven by supply disruptions from wars with Iran and Russia, raising costs for food, transport, and energy. The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut global crude oil flows, while Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have restricted diesel exports. High diesel costs increase trucking, farming, public transit, and heating expenses, with regional prices varying from $6.03 on the Gulf Coast to over $8 in California. President Donald Trump supports a Republican-proposed ban on U.S. diesel exports to lower domestic prices, but risks include refinery storage issues, reduced production of other fuels, and higher import costs for some regions. Short-term measures like export bans may offer limited relief until production capacity expands.