Interactive Data Dashboard

The Hidden Cost of a Barrel

Every barrel of crude oil touches your life in ways you never see — from the gas in your car to the aspirin in your cabinet. Explore how 42 gallons of crude become the backbone of modern life, and how price shifts ripple through everything you buy.

WTI Crude Oil
$75.96/bbl
WTI spot price via EIA Open Data API · May lag real-time markets by up to 24h · USD/barrel
Section 1

Inside the Barrel

What comes out of 42 gallons of crude oil? About 45 gallons of refined products — thanks to processing gain.

Lubricants1% · 0.5 galAsphalt & Road Oil3% · 1.3 galPetrochemical Feedstocks4% · 1.9 galUltra-Low Sulfur Diesel25% · 11 galOther (wax, coke, misc.)9% · 4 galResidual Fuel Oil2% · 1 galHydrocarbon Gas Liquids4% · 1.8 galJet Fuel / Kerosene9% · 4 galMotor Gasoline43% · 19.5 gal

EIA 2024 U.S. refinery averages. Actual yields vary by crude grade and refinery type. Processing gain accounts for volume increase from 42 to ~45 gallons.
Section 2

Where Does It Flow?

Trace how crude oil transforms into refined products and flows into every sector of the economy.

U.S. EIA 2024 sector consumption. 20.3 million b/d total. U.S. patterns only.
Section 3

The Price Ripple

Drag the slider to see how a change in crude oil price ripples through everyday costs.

Baseline estimate$76/bbl2024 WTI annual average
-$50$0+$90
🚗Gasoline (per gallon)
+$0.00
Average U.S. regular unleaded pump priceEIA gasoline price components
🛒Weekly Groceries
+$0.00
Average U.S. household weekly grocery billDallas Fed CPI energy pass-through
✈️Domestic Airfare
+$0.00
Average round-trip domestic flightIATA fuel cost analysis 2024
📦Plastics Index
+0.0 pts
Packaging & consumer plastics price index (base = 100)IEA petrochemicals outlook
🌾Fertilizer (per ton)
+$0.00
Nitrogen-based fertilizer average priceIEA energy in food production 2024
🚚Freight (per mile)
+$0.00
Average trucking cost per loaded mileMARAD freight cost analysis
🏠Home Heating Oil (gal)
+$0.00
Northeast U.S. #2 heating oil per gallonEIA heating oil prices

Illustrative estimates relative to $76/bbl baseline. Real-world price pass-through is influenced by lot of factors.

WTI Crude Oil — Historical Annual Prices

Source: EIA Cushing, OK WTI Spot Price. Historical prices do not predict future prices.
Section 4

Oil in Everything

Petroleum isn't just fuel — it's woven into over 6,000 everyday products. Explore some of the most surprising ones.

Data for educational purposes only · Sources: EIA, IEA, IATA, Dallas Fed, MARAD
Not financial advice · Not affiliated with any of the cited organizations