Why Diesel Hit $6.50 When Gas Is $4.47

Description AAA diesel hit a record $6.51 a gallon on September 21, 2026. Regular gas: $4.48. Same week. Different sticker. The federal tax gap is 6 cents (24.4¢ diesel vs 18.4¢ gasoline — IRS Pub 510). The pump gap is about $2. EIA: New York Harbor distillate crack averaged 74¢/gal more than gasoline since March. Distillate inventories 14% below the five-year average (week ending Aug 28) vs gasoline 6% below. ATA: trucks moved 72.7% of U.S. freight tons in 2024. Comment DIESEL or GAS — which sticker do you watch? Not financial advice. Educational and entertainment only. Sources AAA Fuel Prices (national averages as of 9/21/26) — https://gasprices.aaa.com/ EIA Today in Energy — crack spreads and distillate inventories EIA FAQ — federal gasoline 18.4¢ / diesel 24.4¢ IRS Publication 510 — excise tax on gasoline $0.184; diesel $0.244 American Trucking Associations — 72.7% of freight by weight (2024); Bob Costello, Chief Economist ATRI — fuel ~24% of truck operating cost per mile Bloomberg — U.S. diesel topped $6.50 (20 Sep 2026) Music Background: chase bed from Mixkit catalog (Work It, royalty-free).