# DOE Diesel Eases 5.3 Cents to $5.599, Brent Crude Off 7% _Sep 1, 2026_ > DOE diesel fell 5.3 cents to $5.599/gal for the week of Aug. 31, per EIA's on-highway diesel survey. At the stated 6.5 mpg reference, that is 86.1 cents a mile. Brent crude posted the week's biggest drop, off 7.4%. _Numbers as of Sep 1, 2026 pull._ The EIA weekly on-highway diesel survey came in at **$5.599/gal** for the week of Aug. 31, down 5.3 cents from the prior week. At the stated 6.5 mpg reference, that is **86.1 cents a mile**, and the week's drop trims about **$4.08** from the fuel cost of a 500-mile haul at the stated 6.5 mpg reference. The index sits 50% above its five-year median entering fall harvest season. [Chart: Diesel fuel cost per mile (at 6.5 mpg)](https://mondaydiesel.com/costpermile/diesel-cost-per-mile) ([data](https://mondaydiesel.com/costpermile/diesel-cost-per-mile.md) — chart image: https://mondaydiesel.com/charts/costpermile/diesel-cost-per-mile/chart.png) Notable moves from EIA's Monday on-highway diesel survey and daily spot series: - **Gulf Coast (PADD 3)** led retail declines, down 2% week over week from the prior Monday's EIA on-highway diesel survey to **$5.360/gal**. It remains 59% above its five-year median. - **California** moved against the broader softening, up 3% week over week to **$7.218/gal**, 47% above its five-year median. - **West-Gulf spread:** the West Coast (PADD 5) at **$6.497/gal** pays **113.7 cents/gal** over the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) at $5.360/gal. - **Midwest (PADD 2)** edged down 1% week over week to **$5.571/gal**, 50% above its five-year median. - **Brent crude (Europe spot)** led all series in weekly change, off 7.4% to **$88.24/bbl** as of Aug. 25 per EIA's daily spot series, with WTI (Cushing spot) at **$83.90/bbl** the same date. Brent sits 10% above its five-year median. Crude is roughly half the cost of a gallon of diesel, and a move of this size reaches the pump with a lag of days to weeks. **Wholesale layer:** New York Harbor ULSD spot closed at **$4.186/gal** and Gulf Coast ULSD at **$4.216/gal** as of Aug. 25, per EIA's daily spot series. These are bulk untaxed wholesale prices. At $5.599, the DOE retail average carries taxes and the full hub-to-pump layer on top. --- Canonical URL: https://mondaydiesel.com/issues/2026-09-01