California retail diesel averages hit $8.21 per gallon on Sept 16, with some Bay Area stations retailing near $9 per gallon. These peaks coincide with a new US national average of $6.26 per gallon, representing a more than 80% increase since January. Truck drivers are paying nearly $3.00 more per gallon than they were nine months ago.

The price surge follows disruptions to Middle East shipping lanes resulting from conflict between the US and Iran. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated that this war caused pump prices to reach $8.49 in California and $6.59 in Georgia. Governor Gavin Newsom is coordinating payment plans for drivers to manage the cost increases.