National fuel costs across the US climbed Wednesday, putting pressure on consumers and transport operators. Diesel averages rose to $6.315 per gallon, while gasoline prices increased to $4.37 per gallon, remaining below the 2026 peak of $4.566 per gallon. Pump prices are rising because marketers are adjusting to wholesale increases despite slightly lower futures prices. Analysts project diesel could reach $6.65 per gallon by the end of the weekend, and retail gasoline may set a new annual high by the same time.

Gross diesel margins for fuel marketers have dropped to 5 cents per gallon, and gasoline margins hover around 17 cents per gallon. These figures represent a decline from the 40 cent margins typical for this decade. Weekly diesel price spikes have reached 82 cents per gallon in locations such as Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Moorhead, Minnesota.