National Diesel Price Trends — May 2026 Update
U.S. on-highway diesel averaged $3.78/gal the week of May 5, 2026 — up 4 cents week-over-week and 11 cents above the same week in 2025.
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Diesel Prices
National and regional diesel price tracking with weekly EIA data context for owner-operators and small fleets.
Freight Rates
Spot market rate tracking for dry van, reefer, and flatbed — plus load board commentary and contract vs spot decision frameworks.
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Regulatory updates that actually affect your operating authority: HOS, ELD, CSA scoring, drug testing, and MC authority filings.
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See all →Spot Market Rates — May 2026: Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed Snapshot
Dry van linehaul rates held flat week-over-week, reefer ticked up 4 cents on early produce season, flatbed continued the soft slide.
How Truckers Cut Fuel Costs in 2026 — Tactics That Actually Work
Five fuel-saving tactics ranked by ROI for owner-operators: fuel cards, idle reduction, tire pressure, route planning, and speed governance.
Diesel vs CNG Trucks — The 2026 Cost Comparison Owner-Ops Actually Need
CNG runs $1.50–$2.10 per diesel-gallon-equivalent in 2026 versus $3.78 retail diesel — but capex, fueling network, and resale flip the math.
Spot vs Contract Loads — A Decision Framework for Owner-Operators
Run 100% spot when tender rejections are above 8%. Run 60-80% contract when they're under 5%. The math behind the rule.
Why Diesel Costs $1+ More on the West Coast — The Regional Spread Explained
California diesel runs $1.50/gal above Gulf Coast for four reasons that don't change much: fuel specs, taxes, refinery geography, and pipeline access.