Baton Rouge fuel costs are rising. Diesel may be the bigger threat to household budgets.
Gasoline prices are climbing, but diesel’s record-breaking increase could have a wider impact on Baton Rouge consumers as transportation and business costs rise.
BATON ROUGE, La. — The latest fuel-price numbers tell two stories in Baton Rouge: Gasoline is becoming more expensive for drivers, while diesel is reaching levels that could put additional pressure on the cost of moving goods and running businesses.
Regular gasoline averaged $3.7685 per gallon in the Baton Rouge metro area as of Sept. 6, according to AAA. That was up nearly 11 cents from a week earlier, 18.8 cents from a month earlier, and 97.3 cents from a year ago.
Diesel, however, is rising faster. The Baton Rouge average reached $5.5040 per gallon, up nearly 18 cents in a week and more than 53 cents in a month. Louisiana’s statewide diesel average reached $5.5082 per gallon on Sept. 6, the highest recorded average in the state.
That difference matters because diesel is used extensively in commercial transportation, agriculture and other industries. Higher diesel costs can increase the expense of moving products, operating equipment and delivering goods — costs that businesses may eventually pass on to consumers.
Nationally, the diesel increase is part of a broader supply squeeze. GasBuddy reported that U.S. diesel prices reached a record $5.820 per gallon on Sept. 3, surpassing the previous national record set in June 2022. The increase has been linked to disruptions affecting global oil supplies, including renewed conflict involving Iran and attacks on Russian refineries.
Gasoline prices are also being affected by global supply concerns. AAA reported that the national average reached $4.1473 per gallon on Sept. 6, while Louisiana’s average was $3.7725.
What drivers are paying
The Baton Rouge metro averages were:
- Regular: $3.7685 per gallon
- Midgrade: $4.2302
- Premium: $4.6462
- Diesel: $5.5040
The original GasBuddy figures also showed a wide gap between stations, with prices ranging from $3.44 to $4.65 per gallon on Monday. That means the cost of filling up can vary considerably depending on where a driver stops.
At the Costco station on Dawnadele Avenue, regular gasoline was listed at $3.599 per gallon Tuesday, while premium was $4.399. The station does not sell diesel.
For Baton Rouge households already managing higher food, housing, and transportation costs, the increase adds another expense. For businesses that depend on diesel, the pressure can begin long before a product reaches a store shelf.
