Diesel Prices Stay Above $5 Per Gallon as Fuel Costs Continue to Bite

Diesel prices have been stuck above $5 per gallon for some time now, putting pressure on truckers, businesses, and owners of diesel-powered vehicles.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that the national average for on-highway diesel was $5.599 a gallon for the week ending August 31, down 5.3 cents from the previous week but still $1.865 more expensive than it was a year earlier.

The high price of diesel is not just due to crude oil costs; refinery costs, distribution, marketing, retail operations, and taxes also contribute to the final number at the pump.