Diesel prices in California have climbed so sharply that some gas station signs are running out of digits to display them.
According to GasBuddy, the crowdsourced fuel-price tracking platform, several stations in the state showed diesel listed at $9.999 per gallon — the maximum their displays could show.
Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, initially reported that five California stations had reached the display limit for diesel prices.
By Friday, De Haan told the California Post that the number had been revised down to three stations.
He said all three were in the Bay Area, including two in San Jose and one in Santa Clara. One of them was a Rotten Robbie location near downtown San Jose.
The Bay Area has long been known for some of California’s steepest fuel costs, with three of its metro areas posting the highest prices in the state.
Online commenters reacted with surprise that pump displays could actually reach their numerical ceiling.
“What happens then? I mean this sincerely,” one person asked.
“If it hit the limit that means prices can’t go any higher right? Right…” another wrote.
“Nearly $10 a gallon for diesel is absolutely brutal. Trucking, transportation, and everyday consumers will feel this,” a third commenter added.
Statewide, California’s average price for regular gasoline reached $5.92 per gallon on Friday, while diesel averaged $7.98, according to AAA.
A month earlier, regular gas averaged 34 cents less per gallon, and diesel was about $1.13 cheaper.
GasBuddy released a statement on the record-breaking diesel prices, which the company says have never reached $6 a gallon.
“Not every day are new all-time records set, and this will be a particularly painful one for the economy that may not even be immediately felt, but record diesel prices will impact every cargo, shipment, every delivery Americans are taking, and are likely to reignite inflation up and down the supply chain,” De Haan said.
“And for now, it comes at a time of year when diesel prices also traditionally rise, adding more pain. I suggest Americans anticipate a costlier holiday season, as it appears diesel prices could continue climbing as geopolitical tensions continue to remain a main factor.”
