Are Diesel Gas Stations Hard To Find?

Asked by: Ms. Michael Becker Ph.D. | Last update: October 31, 2022
star rating: 4.7/5 (40 ratings)

Diesel fuel is only available at just over half of all retail fuel sites in the U.S, so isn't quite as easy to find for drivers not familiar with a particular area. Finding diesel will become ever more important though as more diesel vehicles hit the market.

Why dont all gas stations have diesel?

Diesel fuel also isn't quite as available as gasoline. Only about half of all gas stations in the U.S., including highway truck stops and convenience store stations, have diesel pumps. Finally, because diesel engines use such rugged parts and high-pressure fuel injectors, they are more expensive to build.

Do all gas stations have the same diesel?

At the pump you will generally only find Diesel #2. It has a lower Cetane number, and has more BTU's/gal. In turn you get better MPG's. BUT it takes a little more heat to get it to light off and it has more paraffin in it.

Is diesel fuel hard to get?

The shortage continues to develop Between issues with refineries, hiring drivers to haul fuel, massive shopping demand, and increasing supply chain issues, the diesel shortage is a complex issue. And it's only one of many shortages being experienced worldwide.

Why is diesel in short supply?

"Diesel supply is short all over the world due to sanctions against Russian oil and much higher post-pandemic demand as supply restocking takes place," says Peter Meyer with S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Can't find premium fuel in Central Texas? Here's why - YouTube

17 related questions found

How common is diesel at gas stations?

Diesel fuel is the second largest transportation fuel used in California, representing 17% of total fuel sales behind gasoline.

Who has the best quality diesel fuel?

Chevron, Shell, Exxon/Mobil, Costco are just four that are certified Top Tier. Pretty much all automotive owner manuals will say to use Top Tier fuel if available to keep the engine and emissions system performing at peak level.

Is premium diesel better?

A premium diesel has a higher cetane number, better lubricity and includes detergents that provide injector-cleaning capability versus standard #2 diesel. Cetane measures a fuel's ignition delay. Higher cetane equals a shorter delay and better ignition quality for quicker start-ups and less pollution.

What type of diesel is sold at gas stations?

Clear diesel – Clear diesel is a road vehicle-grade fuel that is available for sale at gas stations throughout the U.S. This type of fuel is meant for use by the vehicles that travel the roads every day – cars, trucks, SUVs, etc. – along with marine vehicles.

What is the difference between #1 and #2 diesel?

Diesel #1 is also known as winter diesel because it performs better than Diesel #2 in cold temperatures. It has a lower viscosity and is not prone to gel in freezing temperatures. Most stations offer a premium Diesel mix that is blended for local weather conditions. Diesel #2 costs less at the pump.

Is diesel going to run out?

All new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans are set to be banned from sale in 2030. New hybrids will be given a stay of execution until 2035, on the condition they are capable of covering a "significant distance" in zero-emission mode - a term which the Government has yet to define.

Why diesel is so expensive?

The major reason for the cost disparity is the high federal and state taxes levied on diesel, largely due to the carbon emissions produced. The federal tax on diesel is currently 24.4 cents per gallon, as opposed to 18.4 cents for a gallon of gasoline.

Should I buy a diesel truck as a daily driver?

With less to go wrong, diesel engines are often more reliable than gasoline engines, coming with a longer life expectancy and requiring less maintenance cost. Although this typically results in a higher price at purchase over a gas-powered vehicle, diesel engines tend to cost less in the long run.

Why is diesel, so expensive right now 2022?

Diesel fuel is in short supply as demand rebounds following the pandemic, while supply remains tight. Prices have surged to record levels, adding to inflationary concerns across the economy.

Is there a problem with diesel supply?

Diesel supplies have been at their lowest level since 2008, however, while some factors have contributed to the shortage at home, international events have impacted the global supply. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is however encouraging people to continue to buy their fuel as usual.

Is there diesel shortage?

Diesel supply has been shrinking at an alarming rate, pushing inventory levels to depths not seen in 17 years. Nationwide supplies are down 43% since 2020. Some parts of the US have seen worse contraction than others.

How do you know if a gas station has diesel?

Again, it's important that we emphasize that the colors of the gas pump may mean something different depending on the gas station you are at. Most of the time, however, when you see a green-handled gas pump, you can expect that it is a diesel pump.

Is diesel cheaper than gas?

Diesel fuel is heavier and less volatile than gasoline, which makes it simpler to refine from crude oil. As a result, diesel tends to be cheaper than gasoline in most countries around the world.

Are diesel pumps always green?

While this is often true, it is not always the case. There are no legal requirements for fuel nozzle colors. Today, diesel fuel is dispensed through nozzles that may be green, black, yellow or any other color the retailer desires.

Is all diesel the same?

Standard diesel fuel (sometimes called diesel oil) comes in two grades: Diesel #1 (or 1-D) and Diesel #2 (or 2-D). Just as gasoline is rated by its octane, diesel fuel is rated by its cetane, which indicates how easy it is to ignite and how fast it burns. The higher the cetane number, the more volatile the fuel.

Is there a difference in diesel fuel brands?

Again, that's really the major difference between unbranded and branded diesel and gasoline, those heavily marketed extra additives. Since automakers are already making cars and trucks to run on gas or diesel that reaches the standard government requirements, extra additives aren't necessary.

Does Shell V-Power diesel make a difference?

I've always found that ordinary Shell diesel makes for more power and economy than Tesco stuff, but the use of Shell V-Power made very little difference over standard, certainly not enough to justify the extra money but mines only a bog standard 105hp PD, maybe with those 136 and 150hp road burners it might be.