Diesel Fuel Prices Information

Visit the Diesel Fuel Prices link  for weekly US gasoline prices and US on-highway diesel fuel prices.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.

FAQ from the EIA Site:

How do I calculate/find diesel fuel surcharges?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not calculate, assess, or regulate diesel fuel surcharges.

• EIA cannot tell you how to calculate a fuel surcharge. Fuel surcharges are negotiated privately by the shipper and the trucking company.
• Every company has its own method for calculating surcharges. Many major carriers have information on how they calculate their surcharges on their web sites. EIA cannot and does not endorse a particular method, but you can perform an Internet search for “fuel surcharge trucking” for more information.
• EIA collects and disseminates weekly retail diesel fuel price data. Many shippers and truckers use that weekly retail price information in their fuel pricing formulas.

Please visit the home page of our website or HotLine Freight Blog – Fuel Surcharges for fuel surcharge updates.

How many gallons of diesel fuel does one barrel of oil make?

U.S. refineries produce an average of about 10 gallons of diesel fuel from one barrel (42 gallons) of crude oil. The remainder of the barrel yields other petroleum products. Refinery yields of individual products vary from month to month as refiners focus operations to meet demand for different products and maximize profits.

Why has diesel fuel been more expensive than gasoline?

On-highway diesel fuel prices have been higher than regular gasoline prices almost continuously since September 2004, a break from the historical pattern of diesel fuel prices usually being lower than gasoline prices except in cold winters when demand for heating oil pushed diesel fuel prices higher. The main reasons why diesel fuel prices have been higher than gasoline prices in recent years are:

• High worldwide demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils, especially in Europe, China, India, and the United States, and a tight global refining capacity available to meet demand during the period of high economic growth from 2002 to mid-2008.
• The transition to less polluting, lower-sulfur diesel fuels in the United States affected diesel fuel production and distribution costs.
• The Federal excise tax for on-highway diesel fuel of 24.4 cents/gallon is 6 cents per gallon higher the gasoline tax.