Truckers cite soaring diesel costs as cause for route cuts and supply-chain strain
U.S. truck drivers report that diesel prices near $6.30 a gallon are eroding profits, prompting carriers to reduce routes and raising concerns about downstream impacts on consumers.
Diesel prices in the United States have risen to about $6.32 per gallon, a jump of more than 70 percent from a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association. Truck drivers say the increase is cutting into earnings and forcing some carriers to scale back service.
Miami-based driver Suave Dorsett said the higher fuel cost is “hurting our pockets real bad,” noting that he has seen diesel sell for $7.40 per gallon in Ohio. He warned that smaller owner-operators could be the first to exit the market, creating a “domino effect” for larger carriers.
Louisiana driver Tyler Rinaldi, who hauls hazardous materials for a less-than-truckload carrier, confirmed that weekend routes have been reduced, which he said could lower drivers’ take-home pay. Similarly, Avante Jackson, a veteran hauler of steel and construction materials, said the price surge leaves little profit after fuel expenses and could eventually affect consumers.
The American Transportation Research Institute reported that trucking fuel costs rose 53.7 percent in 2022, contributing to a 21.3 percent increase in overall operating costs. Industry observers say the current spike could revive those pressures, especially for smaller firms with limited financial buffers.
The administration has urged international partners to release emergency fuel reserves. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the president’s actions aim to lower diesel costs and return savings to truckers, while President Trump has described the higher prices as a temporary sacrifice linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.