Gas prices increase for 18 consecutive days

AAA updates daily average gas prices on its website every morning at 3 a.m. Raleigh's average is $4.26, a penny more than Sunday's price.

According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Raleigh are 43.2 cents per gallon higher than they were a month ago and stand $1.30 higher than a year ago. The price of diesel has risen 3 cents nationally in the past week and stands at $5.55 per gallon.

For Tyneqwa Lester, getting more miles to the gallon seems impossible these days.

"It’s horrific. It is horrific, but people want to move," said Lester.

This large bus she drives for work uses diesel fuel, and prices are higher than ever.

"I just fueled up yesterday and put $110 dollar in this bus," said Lester. "And I’m on 'E' again."

White House adviser: It's an 'all-out effort' to address inflation

The current average price for diesel fuel in N.C. is $5.45 a gallon. Diesel fuel priced out at $5.24 a gallon one week ago.

Around this time last year, the average price of diesel fuel was $2.52 cheaper, coming in at $2.93 a gallon.

Supply chain expert Robert Handfield said diesel "fuels" America’s economy. From transportation goods to agriculture, it’s a vital part of the supply chain.

"The price is going up pretty much across all these industries," said Handfield.

When it comes to rising prices, Handfield said, "Retailers are having to take that. They're gonna have to pay those higher prices and literally pass that on to the consumer."

Business owner Jose Guzman Flores said his moving company is eating the costs as a way to keep his customers from paying more than what they were quoted.

"We're not making anywhere near that profit due to the fuel prices now," said Flores. "So now we have to adjust."

Lester does not let sticker shock impact her customers or her livelihood.

"Can’t be stopped. Not even by diesel fuel prices," said Lester.

Handfield said he doesn’t see any relief at the pump with the ongoing war with Russia and Ukraine.

Some experts believe the report will indicate inflation has already peaked.

From March to April, the number may be small, but year-over-year inflation is up roughly 8%.