Fuel and Trucking Costs Could Keep Rising, Land Line Media Reports

U.S. trucking companies are facing continued pressure from elevated diesel prices, maintenance expenses, insurance premiums and equipment costs. Industry officials warn that constrained refining and pipeline capacity could keep fuel prices high into spring 2027, while carriers work to control costs and protect already-tight margins.

Diesel Costs Continue to Pressure Fleets

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a national average diesel price of $6.276 per gallon on Oct. 19, down from a record $6.53 reached on Sept. 21. AAA later listed the national average at $6.334 per gallon on Oct. 29.

Although prices have declined from their peak, the figures remain well above historical levels and continue to affect trucking companies, agricultural operators and consumers. Fuel is one of the largest expenses in trucking, accounting for approximately 21% of total operating costs, according to American Trucking Research Institute benchmarking data.

ATRI’s 2026 benchmarking report estimated fuel costs at roughly 48 cents per mile, compared with an average total operating cost of $2.336 per mile. Separate industry data placed total operating costs at approximately $2.37 per mile in 2025, with insurance premiums rising 6.4% during the period covered.

Refining and Pipeline Constraints Could Extend Price Pressure

Energy and truck stop executives said limited refining and pipeline capacity could leave U.S. trucking fleets vulnerable to higher diesel prices through at least spring 2027. Disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz, elevated crude oil prices and refinery issues have also contributed to uncertainty in fuel markets.

The speed of recent price increases is particularly challenging for carriers whose fuel surcharge programs are based on monthly averages or prior-period pricing. When pump prices rise faster than surcharge tables are updated, carriers may absorb the difference until the adjustments catch up.

A fuel surcharge is typically listed separately on a freight invoice and is intended to adjust compensation as diesel prices change. Carriers without effective surcharge or fuel-recapture agreements may have difficulty passing higher costs on to customers.

Higher Costs Add to Existing Margin Challenges

Scott Perry, CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, said higher diesel prices are affecting carriers alongside rising insurance premiums, equipment costs and driver wages. In some cases, fuel has surpassed driver pay as the largest expense on a carrier’s income statement, he said.

Independent truck operators are especially exposed because they generally lack the purchasing power and fuel-hedging options available to larger fleets. Industry representatives said some small operators have parked trucks or left the business as fuel costs increased.

The cost pressure comes as the industry continues to recover from the freight downturn that followed the pandemic-era boom. Many carriers that entered the market during a period of strong demand and low interest rates later faced falling freight rates, reduced volumes and increased bankruptcies. Surviving companies now are contending with higher fuel prices, interest rates and credit costs.

Freight Market Shows Signs of Improvement

Despite the cost challenges, some indicators point to improving freight conditions. DAT data cited in the material showed national van rates averaging $3.06 per mile on Oct. 19, up 5 cents from the September average. The Midwest posted the highest regional average at $3.33 per mile, while the South recorded the lowest at $2.84.

The national load-to-truck ratio stood at 9.72 loads per available truck, compared with 11.33 in September. Industry forecasts also called for truckload rates to rise in the fourth quarter of 2026 as a smaller pool of available trucks places renewed pressure on capacity.

At the American Trucking Associations’ 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition, industry officials emphasized fraud prevention, fuel purchasing controls and fleet efficiency as ways to limit fuel waste. However, operators with limited access to capital or weak fuel-surcharge agreements remain vulnerable if diesel prices stay elevated.