Montana Diesel Prices Soar to Record High

Montana diesel prices are now at their all-time record level and continued to set new records over the weekend, reflecting a nearly $ 1-a-gallon increase over the past month.

The average, and record, price of $6.27 a gallon couldn't come at a worse time for Montana/s farmers and ranchers, who are busy wrapping up their seasons and getting ready for winter.

And the new mark has absolutely eclipsed the previous record, set in the summer of 2022, when fuel prices made an unbelievable surge.

Diesel prices are skyrocketing this month

AAA reported diesel fuel prices broke the record on Friday, and continued to inch up over the weekend, setting the new record on Sunday at $6.27 a gallon.

Last week, that same fuel would have cost $5.96. A month ago, after prices had moderated, the average was $5.36 statewide, showing a whopping 91-cent increase in the past four weeks.

But the real comparison that has owners of trucks and tractors in shock is at this time last year, when the average price of a gallon of diesel in Montana was $3.63, or $2.64 a gallon.

It's even worse in Montana's "Golden Triangle"

The pain is especially acute for the grain growers in Montana's "Golden Triangle", the section of the state stretching between Havre, Great Falls, Conrad and Shelby, which is world-renowned for wheat and barley production.

AAA reports the average price for diesel in Great Falls was $6.32 a gallon on Sunday, compared to $3.68 a year ago.

Diesel was averaging $6.25 a gallon in Billings and $6.27 in Missoula.

That reflects the corresponding price increases for all grades of Montana fuel. 

It could be worse

As painful as those prices are, it's even worse if you have to haul to the coast right now.

      ⛽️ AAA reports diesel is an average $7.44 a gallon in Washington.