Diesel prices soar past $6 a gallon, deepening strain for hauling everyday goods

Diesel prices in the U.S. jumped to a record high of nearly $6.06 per gallon on Friday, surpassing last week’s $5.85 and far above about $3.71 a year earlier, according to AAA. The increase is tied to ongoing disruptions to global fuel supplies amid the U.S.-Iran conflict. Higher diesel costs ripple through transportation networks that move everyday goods, and some businesses have already added fees to online orders and mail packages. Perishables such as meat and produce are especially exposed because they require frequent hauling and restocking. The story links diesel and regular gasoline—nearly $4.30 per gallon on average Friday—to crude oil, which recently pushed above $100 a barrel for both Brent and U.S. crude. It cites the International Energy Agency reporting Saudi production falling to a three-decade low after Houthi attacks and warns that Ukraine-related refining losses have nearly halted product exports.