Gas prices surpass $4 nationwide for the first time since 2022 as diesel surge strains Northwest suppliers

The average price for gasoline across the United States has surpassed $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, signaling renewed cost pressures for consumers and businesses. This national trend is exacerbated by a significant surge in diesel prices, particularly straining fuel suppliers and smaller stations across the Pacific Northwest. This uptick is primarily driven by a combination of factors: persistent global crude oil supply constraints influenced by OPEC+ production cuts and ongoing geopolitical tensions, alongside robust, albeit cooling, global demand. Regionally, the Pacific Northwest faces additional hurdles due to scheduled refinery maintenance and pipeline limitations, creating localized shortages that push diesel costs higher and impact the entire supply chain through increased transportation costs.