Why Diesel Prices Surge Faster Than Gasoline in Every Energy Crisis

When a geopolitical shock hits energy markets, the same pattern plays out: diesel prices spike fast, while gasoline lags behind. According to data from the Energy Information Administration, since the conflict in Iran began through to 4/6/26, the national average price of gasoline has risen by $1.11 per gallon. Meanwhile, diesel prices are up $1.75 per gallon. That divergence is important because diesel underpins freight and logistics, amplifying inflationary pressures across the broader economy. We saw this exact pattern after Russia’s invasion…