(The Economic Collapse Blog)—As you enjoy your Labor Day weekend, you may notice that gasoline and diesel are unusually expensive right now. As I will document in this article, gasoline prices have never been this high on Labor Day weekend, and the cost of diesel is now the highest that it has ever been in the entire history of our country.
Needless to say, the soaring cost of diesel is really bad news for our economy, because most of our trains, most of our tractors and most of our trucks run on diesel. In addition, approximately 90 percent of the 500,000 school buses in the United States run on diesel. Unfortunately, this is only just the beginning. The war in the Middle East is not going to end any time soon, and neither is the war in Ukraine. In fact, I am convinced that a lot more war is ahead of us.
Normally, gasoline prices are trending downward as the summer comes to an end.
But that hasn’t happened this year.
In fact, the average price of a gallon of gasoline is above four dollars on Labor Day weekend for the very first time in U.S. history…
American motorists are buying $4 gas on Labor Day weekend for the first time in history, a fuel analyst reports.
A gallon of regular unleaded gas cost an average of $4.15 nationwide on Sept. 6, AAA reports.
There have been moments when the price of gasoline has been higher than this, but it has never been this high so late in the calendar year…
“Gasoline, while not at all-time records, is at its highest level ever recorded this late in the calendar year,” said GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan, writing in a recent post on X.
We are experiencing the consequences of the historic events that are taking place on the other side of the planet.
The war in the Middle East has greatly reduced the flow of oil out of the Middle East, and Ukraine’s relentless attacks on Russian refineries are having an enormous impact on global energy markets.
As a result, we are forced to pay much more for gasoline…
In a normal year, gas prices follow a seasonal cycle, bottoming out in the depth of winter, when people drive less, and rising steadily through spring and summer, when temperatures are warmer, days are longer and Americans drive more.
But this is not a normal year. The Iran war has driven up global oil prices for months. On top of that, Russia has lost capacity in its refineries, De Haan said, amid ongoing attacks in its war with Ukraine. Together, those forces have pushed U.S. gas prices to their highest levels on record for this time of year.
What is happening to diesel prices is an even bigger story.
On Friday, the average price of a gallon of diesel in the United States set a brand new record high…
The national average price for a gallon of diesel now sits at $5.85, according to the AAA motor club. That figure represents a 55 percent jump since the start of the war with Iran, and the price for a gallon of diesel has now overtaken the previous peak, which occurred four years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Then on Saturday, the average price of a gallon of diesel went even higher…
Diesel fuel prices set a new record high Saturday for a second day in a row.
The national retail average for a gallon of diesel reached $5.8819 Saturday, according to AAA’s daily fuel prices report. That’s up from $5.85 on Friday.
This is not good at all, and the situation is particularly dire on the west coast.
In California, the average price of a gallon of diesel has nearly reached eight dollars…
The most expensive state to buy diesel fuel is California, where a gallon on Saturday averages $7.7770. Prices have not exceeded $7 per gallon in any other state, but six other states have per-gallon averages above $6: Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Alaska.
Russia is normally the second largest exporter of diesel fuel in the entire world.
But thanks to months of Ukrainian drone strikes, that is no longer true.
So now global inventories of diesel fuel are starting to get “very, very, very tight”…
“Normally we’d be building up a lot of diesel inventory this time of year, and then we’d draw that back down in October and November. We’re not seeing that inventory build, so folks are looking out and saying ‘wow, inventories are going to be very, very, very tight,’” Miller said.
Miller said the capacity taken offline in Russia could make it a long road to return the average cost of diesel to under $4 a gallon.
“Diesel’s not going below $4 a gallon, oh for a very long time, if possibly ever again,” Miller said.
It would be extremely difficult for me to overstate the seriousness of this crisis.
The crack spread for diesel has skyrocketed to levels that were once believed to be unthinkable…
Diesel is used to produce the food that you eat every single day.
This year, much higher diesel prices are hitting our farmers like a sledgehammer…
Dale Hemminger runs a dairy and cabbage farm in Seneca Castle, N.Y. “Diesel is our fuel,” he says. “We have to run tractors and harvesters and trucks, and they almost exclusively run on diesel. So, diesel and the price of diesel is a major factor.”
So far this year, Hemminger says, fuel has cost him close to $45,000 for a tank of 10,000 gallons. Last year, it was around $25,000 for a tank.
This is one of the reasons why many are forecasting that you will be paying significantly more for food in 2027.
Of course the cost of diesel is going to affect prices in nearly every other sector of our economy as well…
Soaring diesel costs are raising expenses for trucking, construction, agriculture and other industries that rely on heavy-duty vehicles and machinery.
High diesel prices can stoke inflation by raising the cost of transporting goods across the U.S., thereby pushing up consumer prices.
“The everyday consumer will see higher diesel prices in the consumer goods they purchase,” said Susan Bell, senior vice president of downstream research at Rystad Energy. “Think of the groceries that get shipped around the nation, and fruits and vegetables that come from California and move by truck or rail. It’s inflationary.”
Many pundits are hoping that the war in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine will both end within the next 12 months.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
But do you think that will actually happen?
In fact, I believe that the military conflicts that we are witnessing will only intensify as we roll into 2027.
So don’t get too accustomed to the painfully high energy prices that we are experiencing now, because I believe that they will soon go even higher.
Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
