Gasoline and diesel prices in the United States have risen to their highest levels for the same period on record during the summer driving season. According to Sina Finance, AAA data showed that in the second week of August, the average gasoline price reached $4 per gallon and diesel reached $5.40 per gallon, both record highs for the period.

Last year, gasoline averaged $3.20 per gallon and diesel $3.70 per gallon. The U.S. Energy Department expects the national average gasoline price to be $4 per gallon this quarter and to fall to $3.72 in the fourth quarter, while diesel is projected to ease to just below $5 per gallon by year-end.