The internet memes have now become reality.
Source: Fortune
As U.S. prices for diesel fuel surge to all-time highs, some California pumps literally can’t price their diesel any higher—maxing out the display at $9.999 per gallon.
Fuel-tracking firm GasBuddy reported Thursday that a small handful of California fueling stations hiked their retail diesel up to the maximum display pricing as the state’s overall diesel average hit $7.91 per gallon.
GasBuddy said it had confirmed that the $9.999 price was on displays at pumps in the San Diego suburb of Serra Mesa on Wednesday, and that it was investigating reports in other locations. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, cautioned that some pumps could simply be out of fuel. He noted that it is practice for some fueling stations to list “$9.999” to warn drivers away when diesel has run dry temporarily.
But what is clear is that several stations in California are pricing well above $9 per gallon.
On a national level, the U.S. average for diesel surpassed $6 a gallon this week for the first time ever. De Haan said the national diesel average could realistically rise to $7 per gallon in the weeks ahead. “There are really no signs of any improvement,” he told Fortune. “There are more signs of escalation. We’re headed in the wrong direction.”
De Haan said the first $9.999 reports gave him “chills”—for the first time ever, it’s a realistic pricing option.
Chills indeed. Diesel, even more than gasoline, powers America's economy.
MAXXED OUT at $9.999!! GasBuddy data showing 5 stations in California that have hit the limit and are selling diesel at the dispensers highest possible price: $9.999/gal
— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) September 10, 2026
HISTORY: diesel has crossed $6/gal nationally for the first time ever, according to live GasBuddy data. every truck, every delivery, every package, every grocery run just got more expensive. the cost of moving everything in america just hit a record. Statement⬇️ (9/10/26, 3p CT) pic.twitter.com/zijqu6vD9i
— Patrick De Haan (@GasBuddyGuy) September 10, 2026
As usual, the incompetents in the Trump administration have no answers for this.
VARNEY: How are we gonna bring down the cost of diesel?
HASSETT: Well, there's a big, big issue with diesel because a lot of the refining is in places that are disturbed in places with conflict, either in Russia or the straits
(Not an answer!) pic.twitter.com/lt7iIWkrLz— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 11, 2026
