LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As the war in Iran intensifies, the price of diesel fuel continues to increase in Southern California and throughout the U.S.
According to AAA, on Wednesday, diesel prices were averaging $6.54 in Los Angeles, $6.52 in Orange County and $6.50 in San Bernardino.
Nationwide this week, diesel prices surpassed $5 a gallon — for the second time in history.
“You never know how much you’re going to be paying, your next stop, when you come to the truck stop to fill up your tank,” truck driver Luis Bonilla told ABC7. “Hopefully this situation is going to end as soon as possible.”
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, warned that Southern California could see even higher prices if global conditions remain unstable.
“On the trajectory that we’re on today, as long as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t improve soon, we could be on the trajectory for Los Angeles seeing a record-setting diesel price in the weeks ahead,” he said.
Some independent truckers like Bonilla say they are shouldering the increases themselves. “I take less money home, you know? Because we have to pay for the diesel,” he said.
While most drivers rely on gasoline, experts note that diesel powers much of the U.S. economy, fueling the transportation of goods to stores, warehouses and airports.
“You’ll likely notice the trickle-down next time you get on a plane,” De Haan said. “Diesel also impacting the price of jet fuel. The next time you go to the grocery store, the market, the next time you go to the hardware store. All of these goods transported to the market via diesel fuel.”
Another truck driver, who identified himself as Portillo, said rising diesel prices have broad consequences.
“All of the big diesel trucks, that’s how everything gets moved around in the U.S. So, yea. If the diesel goes up, the cost of moving everything is going to go up,” he said.
De Haan said the increased cost of diesel could begin affecting the supply chain within one to two months. While prices have not yet reached record highs, he said the rate at which they are increasing is unprecedented.
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