U.S. Refineries Shift Output From Gasoline to Diesel and Jet Fuel in 2026, EIA Says
Why It MattersStrong middle-distillate margins are pulling refinery capacity toward jet fuel, a supply tilt that bears on fuel availability for business aviation operators.
U.S. refineries have shifted production away from gasoline and toward distillate fuel oil and jet fuel in 2026 as higher refining margins encourage greater output of middle distillates, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. Data from the EIA's latest Petroleum Supply Monthly, covering figures through August 2026, shows gasoline yields have declined significantly while refiners increased production of distillate fuel oil and jet fuel.
U.S. refineries typically produce about 45 to 50 barrels of gasoline for every 100 barrels of crude oil processed. Gasoline yields averaged less than 45% from January through August 2026 and stayed below the five-year low in every month. Distillate fuel oil yields exceeded the five-year average in every month. U.S. refineries exceeded an average jet fuel yield of 12% for the first time in March 2026 and kept yields at or above that level through August. Jet fuel yields had already reached five-year highs during much of 2025.
The shift comes despite elevated gasoline prices. The EIA said constrained global supplies of distillate fuel oil and jet fuel have supported higher refining margins for those products, giving refiners an incentive to maximize their production. Gasoline, distillate fuel oil and jet fuel together account for roughly 85% to 90% of the petroleum products produced by U.S. refineries.
