The latest national diesel price
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on September 9 that the average on-highway diesel price was $5.967 per gallon for the week of September 7, 2026. The national average rose 36.8 cents from the previous week and was $2.201 per gallon higher than one year earlier. EIA’s published prices include taxes.
Regional prices show a wide spread
The West Coast average reached $6.987 per gallon, while California averaged $7.764. The Gulf Coast was the lowest-priced major region at $5.754, followed by the East Coast at $5.744. Those regional averages are useful planning benchmarks, but a driver’s actual pump price, carrier discount and available fuel network can be materially different.
What the weekly jump means for a truck
A 36.8-cent increase adds $368 to the cost of every 1,000 gallons purchased. As a simple illustration, a truck running 2,500 total miles at 6.5 miles per gallon would use about 385 gallons; the weekly price change alone would add roughly $142 to that trip pattern. Actual impact depends on fuel economy, idle time, loaded and empty miles, terrain and purchase locations.
Practical takeaway for fleets and owner-operators
Recalculate fuel cost per total mile before accepting loads or renewing rates. Confirm which EIA benchmark, base price and update schedule control each customer or broker fuel surcharge, because a surcharge may lag the pump or may not fully cover empty miles. Compare network prices and discounts, but include added miles, tolls, driver time and hours-of-service limits before detouring for cheaper fuel.
Driver and dispatch checklist
Plan legal fuel stops before departure, avoid unnecessary idling, maintain tire inflation and report mechanical conditions that reduce fuel economy. Record actual gallons, price, location, loaded miles and empty miles so the fleet can compare real performance with the national benchmark. Do not use unsafe speed reduction, excessive coasting or hours-of-service violations as fuel-saving strategies. EIA’s next scheduled diesel update is September 15.
U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update
This original summary adds CDL-focused context. Visit the named publication for its full reporting and later updates.
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