Fuel Prices Soar in San Diego, Rippling Through Economy

Analysts warn of rising costs for diesel, aviation fuel, and consumer goods as Middle East conflict disrupts global oil supply.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Fuel prices in the San Diego area have skyrocketed, with the average price for regular gasoline reaching $4.894 per gallon and diesel jumping 33 cents in just three days. Analysts say the economic fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East will likely spread to other sectors, including trucking, aviation, and consumer goods, as businesses pass along the higher fuel costs to customers.

Why it matters

San Diego, like much of California, is heavily dependent on imported oil and a specialized fuel blend, making it vulnerable to global supply disruptions. The surge in fuel prices could have far-reaching impacts on the local and regional economy, affecting everything from the cost of consumer goods to air travel.

The details

The rise in fuel prices is directly tied to the ongoing fighting in Iran, which has disrupted oil imports and exports in the Middle East. Brent crude, the international benchmark, closed at over $90 per barrel on Thursday, while West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, hovered around $67. This has led to a spike in the price of diesel, the primary fuel for commercial truckers and shippers, which has risen nearly 33 cents in the past three days. Analysts warn that truckers will have to pass along these higher fuel costs to their customers, including major retailers and grocery store chains.

  • On Thursday, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the San Diego area stood at $4.894.
  • The average price for a gallon of diesel in San Diego on Thursday jumped 15 cents compared to Wednesday.
  • Brent crude, the international benchmark, closed the formal trading day Thursday at over $90 per barrel.

The players

Brent Crude

The international benchmark price for crude oil.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI)

The benchmark price for U.S. oil futures.

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What they’re saying

“The economy runs on diesel, the global economy runs on diesel. Out-of-state truckers are going to have to charge diesel fuel surcharges to their customers that they're delivering to (places like) Target, Walmart and the grocery store chains. And they're going to pass it on to their end users.”

— Tom Cinquegrana, Fuel Analyst

“Gas prices will continue to trend higher … and diesel will continue its jump for at least several more days.”

— Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis (GasBuddy)

What’s next

Until the fighting in Iran stops, fuel analysts say the prices will keep rising, and it's likely just a matter of time before gas prices in California hit $5 per gallon.

The takeaway

The surge in fuel prices in San Diego is a harbinger of broader economic impacts, as the disruption to global oil supply chains ripples through the local and regional economy. Consumers can expect to see higher prices for a wide range of goods and services in the coming weeks and months.