Diesel Costs Hold Steady with Harvest in Full Swing

As input costs continue to rise, diesel prices have held steady in recent weeks, according to energy analysts at GasBuddy.

CHICAGO (RFD-TV) — As input costs continue to rise, diesel prices have held steady in recent weeks. Energy analysts at GasBuddy advise keeping an eye on some behind-the-scenes developments.

“So long as oil prices remain low, we have seen the U.S. rig count start to decline,” said Patrick Haan with GasBuddy. “In fact, the rig count is now below maintenance levels, meaning that there is the potential that the lower rig count we are seeing today will translate in time to a drop in U.S. oil production. That is something that oil companies will likely respond to the lower price of oil by cutting additional drilling.”

As of Thursday, September 25, AAA reports that the average cost of a gallon of diesel remains steady at $3.69. One year ago, that same gallon cost around $3.58. Gasoline prices are also seeing some action lately. A gallon currently costs $3.16, down from $3.21 per gallon last year.

Harvest is a diesel-hungry time of year—and while those prices could drop in the coming weeks, some states are still holding at more than $5 a gallon.

“Diesel prices… well, they’ve started to ease a little bit as well, though not as much as gasoline. Diesel prices,” Haan said. “Still, in Washington state, [diesel prices] are averaging about $5.04. That’s down about a penny in the last week. When it comes to gas prices, motorists need not be in any hurry to fill their tanks. I do expect that nine-cent decline in average prices will continue for the next couple of weeks.”

Related Stories
Last year was a busy year for pesticide litigation in the United States. At No. 10, it kicks off RFD-TV Legal Expert Roger McEowen’s list of the “Top 10” Agricultural Law and Tax Developments of 2025.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.
Strong ethanol production and export trends continue to support corn demand despite seasonal fuel consumption softness.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Benchmark machinery costs against those of similar-sized, high-performing operations to inform equipment and investment decisions.
Record pace corn exports are helping stabilize prices despite softer global grain production and ongoing supply competition.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
Smaller U.S. production and steady global demand could provide better pricing opportunities in 2026.

Agriculture Shows
America’s Heartland brings positive, heartfelt stories about American agriculture to viewers in both urban and rural areas.
Hosted by Pam Minick, “The American Rancher” focuses on the people and places that make ranching an American lifestyle. This half-hour magazine format series features livestock producers and their ranches, animals, and ranching practices.
For the latest information on how to take your operation from good to great, tune into Ag PhD. The program includes a wide range of agronomic information from how to maximize your fertilizer program & tiling to stopping those yield-robbing insects and crop diseases and more.
RFD Network is always creating new ways for rural America to educate and to be educated. RURAL AMERICA LIVE, the network’s longest-running self-produced program, is certainly no exception.