And the number that hits the field hardest isn't even on the gas sign.
$4.56 per gallon. That's the national average for regular gasoline this Memorial Day according to AAA. For the first time in history, every single state in the country is above $4.00. All 50. Up more than 50% since February. The second most expensive Memorial Day on record...only 2022's $4.61 was higher.
45 million Americans hit the road this weekend...a new all-time record for the holiday. They're spending $2 billion more on gasoline than last year...$22 million more every single hour.
But diesel just crossed $5.00 nationally for only the second time in American history. Texas $5.04. North Dakota $5.20. Wyoming $5.50. California $7.40. Pre-war it was $3.65.
That's what the field runs on.
A single frac spread burns roughly 9,500 gallons of diesel per day...at current prices that's $53,000 in fuel for one spread every single day. A hotshot running a 400-mile round trip is dropping $200 in diesel per load. A hand driving 80 miles round trip to location burns through $217 a week in gas just to clock in.
Brown University built a live tracker for this. They say Americans have paid $24 billion more in gasoline since February 28...roughly $200 per household. GasBuddy says the all-time record of $5.02 per gallon could fall this summer if nothing changes.
The field doesn't stop for holidays. Neither does the price.