RVers, start your engines—your wallet might get a little break soon! According to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) short-term energy outlook (STEO), diesel prices are expected to slide through 2025 and 2026. Planning in diesel prices for RVers could mean more miles for a while.
Diesel prices for RVers
The EIA predicts that on-highway diesel will average $3.66 per gallon this year and drop to $3.47 per gallon next year. For some perspective, diesel averaged $3.76 per gallon in 2024, so this is a noticeable dip. The EIA even broke it down by quarters: Prices should start around $3.78 in Q3 2025, drop to $3.36 in Q2 2026, and hover around $3.57 by the end of next year.
Compared with last month’s projections, these numbers are slightly higher—but still point to an overall downward trend. “We forecast the U.S. retail diesel price will average almost $3.70 per gallon in 2025, down three percent from 2024,” the EIA said. They expect another five percent drop in 2026, meaning RVers could see some welcome relief at the pump.
Recent diesel price trends
The good news isn’t just in the forecast—current prices are trending lower, too. The EIA reported that U.S. diesel averaged $3.80 per gallon on August 4, $3.754 on August 11, and $3.713 on August 18. For regional context, the West Coast had the priciest diesel at $4.455 per gallon, while the Gulf Coast offered the cheapest at $3.34 per gallon.
According to AAA, the nationwide diesel average was $3.681 per gallon on August 25, just a slight uptick from the day before, but still below the month-ago average of $3.741. For historical perspective, the U.S. hit a record high of $5.815 per gallon on June 19, 2022, so we’re far from those rough times.
Where your diesel dollar goes
Ever wonder what you’re actually paying for at the pump? The EIA breaks it down: As of June, about 45% of your diesel price comes from crude oil, 20% from distribution and marketing, 19% from refining, and 17% from taxes. A few months earlier, in March 2025, the percentages were slightly different but showed a similar pattern.
For RVers planning long road trips, this is welcome news. Lower diesel prices mean more miles for your money—and maybe even an extra stop at that quirky roadside attraction you’ve been eyeing.
Sources include therigzone.com
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RVT1224b
This is great news. Our trip to DC for the America 250 celebration is booked and we can put savings towards some UFC tickets. Woohoo.
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Funny. The sum of the percentages is 101 percent. Although due to rounding, it does bear out a singular point. Selling petroleum products is a terrible way to make a living, whether motor gasoline or diesel fuel. Have a great day and safe travels!
According to a station owner I spoke with, they make enough selling fuel to cover the cost of running the business, but the actual profit is all in their “mini mart” items.
Just made a round trip from Mountain Home, ID to Cincinnati and return to Blaine, WA. Fuel prices were mostly in the low to mid 3 bucks a gallon. ( We also use one of the fuel apps to save $$) As soon as we hit the WA border, fuel jumped a buck a gallon. We always stop at the last ID station and tank up with cheap fuel.
On the subject of crowded campgrounds, we didn’t see any of it. There was always room for us plus a few more. The only place we didn’t get into was because we were too long