US Diesel Prices by Year — Average, High & Low Since 1994
US on-highway diesel has averaged $5.04 per gallon in 2026 so far. The record weekly average is $6.53 (2026). Annual average, high and low for every year since 1994 below, from official EIA weekly data — nominal prices. For this week's prices see current diesel prices.
On-Highway Diesel by Year ($/gal, US average)
| Year | Diesel Avg | vs prior year | High | Low | Gasoline Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD | 5.04 | +38% | 6.53 | 3.46 | 3.84 |
| 2025 | 3.66 | −3% | 3.87 | 3.45 | 3.10 |
| 2024 | 3.76 | −11% | 4.11 | 3.46 | 3.30 |
| 2023 | 4.21 | −16% | 4.63 | 3.77 | 3.52 |
| 2022 | 4.99 | +52% | 5.81 | 3.61 | 3.95 |
| 2021 | 3.29 | +29% | 3.73 | 2.64 | 3.01 |
| 2020 | 2.55 | −17% | 3.08 | 2.37 | 2.17 |
| 2019 | 3.06 | −4% | 3.17 | 2.97 | 2.60 |
| 2018 | 3.18 | +20% | 3.39 | 2.97 | 2.72 |
| 2017 | 2.65 | +15% | 2.93 | 2.47 | 2.42 |
| 2016 | 2.30 | −15% | 2.54 | 1.98 | 2.14 |
| 2015 | 2.71 | −29% | 3.14 | 2.24 | 2.43 |
| 2014 | 3.83 | −2% | 4.02 | 3.21 | 3.36 |
| 2013 | 3.92 | −1% | 4.16 | 3.82 | 3.51 |
| 2012 | 3.97 | +3% | 4.15 | 3.65 | 3.62 |
| 2011 | 3.84 | +28% | 4.12 | 3.33 | 3.52 |
| 2010 | 2.99 | +21% | 3.29 | 2.76 | 2.78 |
| 2009 | 2.47 | −35% | 2.81 | 2.02 | 2.35 |
| 2008 | 3.80 | +32% | 4.76 | 2.33 | 3.25 |
| 2007 | 2.89 | +7% | 3.44 | 2.41 | 2.80 |
| 2006 | 2.71 | +13% | 3.07 | 2.44 | 2.57 |
| 2005 | 2.40 | +33% | 3.16 | 1.93 | 2.27 |
| 2004 | 1.81 | +20% | 2.21 | 1.50 | 1.85 |
| 2003 | 1.51 | +14% | 1.77 | 1.42 | 1.56 |
| 2002 | 1.32 | −6% | 1.49 | 1.14 | 1.35 |
| 2001 | 1.40 | −6% | 1.54 | 1.14 | 1.42 |
| 2000 | 1.49 | +33% | 1.67 | 1.31 | 1.48 |
| 1999 | 1.12 | +7% | 1.30 | 0.95 | 1.14 |
| 1998 | 1.04 | −13% | 1.15 | 0.97 | 1.03 |
| 1997 | 1.20 | −3% | 1.30 | 1.15 | 1.20 |
| 1996 | 1.24 | +11% | 1.33 | 1.13 | 1.20 |
| 1995 | 1.11 | — | 1.14 | 1.09 | 1.11 |
| 1994 PARTIAL | 1.11 | — | 1.14 | 1.10 | 1.08 |
EIA weekly on-highway diesel prices averaged by calendar year, nominal dollars. A year marked PARTIAL covers only the weeks after the series begins (March 21, 1994). See current diesel by state, gasoline history, and the heating oil futures page (diesel's wholesale benchmark).
On-highway diesel Price by Decade
| Period | Average of annual averages | Highest weekly national average | Lowest weekly national average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1999 (1994 partial, excluded from the average) | 1.14 | 1.33 (1996) | 0.95 (1999) |
| 2000–2009 | 2.18 | 4.76 (2008) | 1.14 (2002) |
| 2010–2019 | 3.24 | 4.16 (2013) | 1.98 (2016) |
| 2020–2026 (so far) | 3.93 | 6.53 (2026) | 2.37 (2020) |
Prices in USD per gallon. The average of annual averages gives each year equal weight; the highest and lowest are single weekly national averages. Partial decades start where this series begins.
Biggest Year-over-Year Moves
| Move | Year | Average vs prior year | Change | What was happening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest rises | 2022 | 3.29 → 4.99 | +52% | Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed crude, diesel and refining margins sharply higher |
| Largest rises | 2000 | 1.12 → 1.49 | +33% | Higher crude prices and tight supply pushed pump prices up |
| Largest rises | 2005 | 1.81 → 2.40 | +33% | Hurricanes Katrina and Rita shut Gulf Coast refineries and offshore output |
| Largest falls | 2009 | 3.80 → 2.47 | −35% | The global recession cut demand and crude prices fell sharply from 2008 |
| Largest falls | 2015 | 3.83 → 2.71 | −29% | Crude collapsed on US shale growth and OPEC's market-share strategy |
| Largest falls | 2020 | 3.06 → 2.55 | −17% | COVID-19 lockdowns collapsed fuel demand |
Completed calendar years only. The "what was happening" notes describe widely documented events and are context, not a full explanation of each move; a dash means no note is attached. Related: why diesel is expensive, the diesel market and oil crises.
Most Volatile Years
| Year | Low | High | Average | High-to-low range, % of average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2.33 | 4.76 | 3.80 | 64% |
| 2005 | 1.93 | 3.16 | 2.40 | 51% |
| 2022 | 3.61 | 5.81 | 4.99 | 44% |
| 2004 | 1.50 | 2.21 | 1.81 | 39% |
| 2007 | 2.41 | 3.44 | 2.89 | 36% |
The five completed years with the widest gap between the lowest and highest weekly national average, measured against that year's average. A wide range means the price moved a long way within the year, whatever the average ended up being.
In Today's Dollars
| Rank | Year | Nominal average | Average in September 2026 dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | 3.80 | 5.95 |
| 2 | 2012 | 3.97 | 5.82 |
| 3 | 2011 | 3.84 | 5.75 |
| 4 | 2022 | 4.99 | 5.74 |
| 5 | 2013 | 3.92 | 5.67 |
Annual averages deflated with BLS CPI-U (2026 M09 = latest). Real = nominal × latest CPI ÷ that year's average CPI. The current year's average of 5.04 is 5.11 in today's dollars. The CPI series used here starts in 2000, so earlier years are not ranked. Oil in real terms with a chart: prices vs inflation.
Diesel Premium Over Gasoline by Year
| Year | Gasoline average | Diesel average | Diesel premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD | 3.84 | 5.04 | +$1.21 |
| 2025 | 3.10 | 3.66 | +$0.56 |
| 2024 | 3.30 | 3.76 | +$0.46 |
| 2023 | 3.52 | 4.21 | +$0.70 |
| 2022 | 3.95 | 4.99 | +$1.04 |
| 2021 | 3.01 | 3.29 | +$0.28 |
| 2020 | 2.17 | 2.55 | +$0.38 |
| 2019 | 2.60 | 3.06 | +$0.45 |
| 2018 | 2.72 | 3.18 | +$0.46 |
| 2017 | 2.42 | 2.65 | +$0.23 |
| 2016 | 2.14 | 2.30 | +$0.16 |
| 2015 | 2.43 | 2.71 | +$0.28 |
| 2014 | 3.36 | 3.83 | +$0.47 |
| 2013 | 3.51 | 3.92 | +$0.42 |
| 2012 | 3.62 | 3.97 | +$0.35 |
| 2011 | 3.52 | 3.84 | +$0.32 |
| 2010 | 2.78 | 2.99 | +$0.21 |
| 2009 | 2.35 | 2.47 | +$0.11 |
| 2008 | 3.25 | 3.80 | +$0.56 |
| 2007 | 2.80 | 2.89 | +$0.09 |
| 2006 | 2.57 | 2.71 | +$0.13 |
| 2005 | 2.27 | 2.40 | +$0.13 |
| 2004 | 1.85 | 1.81 | −$0.04 |
| 2003 | 1.56 | 1.51 | −$0.05 |
| 2002 | 1.35 | 1.32 | −$0.03 |
| 2001 | 1.42 | 1.40 | −$0.02 |
| 2000 | 1.48 | 1.49 | +$0.01 |
| 1999 | 1.14 | 1.12 | −$0.01 |
| 1998 | 1.03 | 1.04 | +$0.01 |
| 1997 | 1.20 | 1.20 | $0.00 |
| 1996 | 1.20 | 1.24 | +$0.04 |
| 1995 | 1.11 | 1.11 | $0.00 |
Difference between the two annual averages of EIA weekly US retail prices (diesel's first year, 1994, is partial and left out). Across completed years the premium was widest in 2022 ($1.04), and diesel was cheapest relative to gasoline in 2003 (−$0.05); the two annual averages came closest to parity in 1997 ($0.00). Why the gap exists: diesel vs gasoline; this week's gap: diesel prices.
Diesel Price History FAQ
What is the average diesel price in 2026?
US on-highway diesel has averaged $5.04 per gallon in 2026 so far, ranging from $3.46 to $6.53 (EIA weekly national averages).
What is the highest diesel price ever recorded in the US?
The record weekly national average is $6.53 per gallon, set in 2026.
Which year had the highest average diesel price?
2022, when on-highway diesel averaged $4.99 per gallon. The lowest completed-year average in this dataset was $1.04 in 1998.
What was the biggest one-year drop in diesel prices?
The largest fall in the annual average was −35% in 2009, from $3.80 to $2.47 per gallon. The global recession cut demand and crude prices fell sharply from 2008.
Why is diesel more expensive than gasoline?
Since 2006, US diesel must be ultra-low-sulfur, which costs more to refine; federal tax on diesel is 6¢/gal higher than gasoline; and diesel competes globally with European demand and with heating oil in winter — all of which keep it above gasoline most of the time, especially in cold months.