American truckers warn that soaring diesel costs are eroding profits and forcing carriers to cut routes, raising fears that smaller operators may be forced out of business. The pressure stems from the Iran conflict, which has driven fuel prices to levels that threaten to disrupt the movement of goods across the United States.
The national average for diesel reached approximately $6.32 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA data. This figure represents a jump of more than 70% from the roughly $3.69 per gallon recorded at the same time last year. The current price has also surpassed the previous record of $5.816 per gallon, set in June 2022 during the energy spike following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Suave Dorsett, a Miami-based trucker with nine years of experience, told Fox News Digital that fuel costs are increasing while freight rates remain static. He reported seeing diesel prices as high as $7.40 per gallon while driving through Ohio. Dorsett noted that truckers already face significant expenses, including diesel exhaust fluid, parking, load weighing, repairs, and towing. He predicted that smaller owner-operators would be the first to face financial collapse, potentially triggering a chain reaction that impacts larger carriers.
Tyler Rinaldi, a Louisiana-based driver for a less-than-truckload company, confirmed that his employer has already scaled back weekend routes. Rinaldi stated that route reductions are becoming more noticeable and directly reduce driver income by limiting the number of trips companies dispatch, thereby cutting into the earnings of those working for the firm.
Avante Jackson, an 11-year trucking veteran from Charlotte, North Carolina, who transports steel and construction materials, said rising fuel costs are forcing drivers to question whether their revenue covers business operations. Jackson cautioned against speculation about widespread shortages but acknowledged that a significant loss of drivers could eventually affect consumers. He urged President Donald Trump to consider the impact on individual drivers who keep the supply chain moving.
The current fuel spike mirrors the 2022 crisis, when the American Transportation Research Institute reported that trucking fuel costs surged 53.7%, contributing to a 21.3% increase in overall operating costs to a record $2.25 per mile. The Trump administration is attempting to mitigate the price increase through international coordination and domestic policy.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated that President Trump signed an executive order intended to cut diesel costs and provide direct financial relief to truckers. Rogers added that the administration negotiated with European counterparts to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products from emergency reserves over four months, with a substantial diesel release planned for the first 20 days.
President Trump has described higher fuel prices as a temporary measure necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. On Truth Social, he characterized rising gasoline costs as "a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon." At a rally in San Antonio, Texas, Trump predicted that oil prices would fall "like a rock" once the conflict concludes, asserting that the war would end "very soon." He also indicated that his administration would not pursue a diesel export ban.