All West Alabama Counties Top $4 a Gallon, Even Higher Diesel Driving Up the Cost of Everything

The work week began today with somewhat stable gas prices after relatively small increases over the last week. The American Automobile Association (AAA) credits the pause in rapid price hikes to crude oil prices falling somewhat early last week, giving retailers a little breathing room and reducing upward pressure at the pump.

GasBuddy points to the restart of a major refinery and a slight easing of geopolitical tensions as additional reasons for the pause in the cost of gasoline and diesel.

But don't get too excited. Both fuel monitoring services believe the pause is short-term and that volatility in the markets will return.

Despite the current slowed pace, prices are still much higher than a month ago and roughly 43% higher than a year ago, with prices varying widely by state. Triple-A cautions against expecting any significant declines in fuel costs beyond short-term pauses.

At this time in August, gasoline was averaging $4.08 nationally. Today it is $4.47 a gallon, the same as a week ago. Both of those prices are much higher than the September 28, 2025, price of $3.13 a gallon.

Today's national average is just 53 cents below the all-time national record high of $5.02 set in June 2022, according to AAA.

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In Alabama, the average cost of a gallon of gas is $4.07, down a penny from Sunday but up 6 cents from a week ago. That brings the price at the pump in the Yellowhammer State to within 56 cents of the state's all-time high of $4.63, also recorded in June 2022.

All 10 West Alabama counties are averaging above $4.00 a gallon to start the week. A gallon averages $4.07 in Tuscaloosa County. The most expensive in West Alabama is Perry County, where motorists are averaging $4.33 a gallon to fill up. That is 26 cents above the county's previous all-time high of $4.07 in 2022.

The Price at the Pump Impacts Virtually Everything

While most counties remain slightly below their record high price for gasoline, the cost for 18-wheelers and other diesel vehicles has already broken through the per-gallon price ceiling. On September 18, Alabama set an all-time record high price of $5.85 a gallon for diesel. Today's price in Tuscaloosa County is $6.17, and the statewide average is $6.52.

A truck driver at the TA Travel Center in Cottondale did not want to be identified due to job concerns but told the Tuscaloosa Thread he had been an owner-operator until earlier this year, when near-$1,000 fill-ups forced him to sell his 2020 Freightliner and hire on to drive a company fleet truck.

There is no end in sight for the conflict in the Middle East, and economist Breyon Williams says that is not good news for prices across the board. "With diesel expected to continue to rise, the cost of virtually all goods transported will see a corresponding price hike."

The American Retail Association reports that retail product costs are rising meaningfully as diesel prices surge, typically by 5% to 15%, for clothing, household goods and packaged items.

The largest impact is on groceries and perishables, largely because they rely heavily on refrigerated diesel trucking. Experts caution consumers to expect prices for fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat to increase 10% to 20% if diesel stays above $6.00.

Meanwhile, President Trump continues to predict fuel prices will begin falling after the midterm elections, but analysts believe that will not begin happening until the military action in the Middle East ends.