Diesel prices in Texas have climbed more than $2 a gallon since last September, reaching an all-time high last week, according to state fuel data cited by Spectrum News.
Owner-operator Daniel Rick said it now costs at least $800 to fill his truck's tanks, fuel that burns off in a single shift on the road. He said the rising cost is making it harder to break even on runs.
The Texas Trucking Association says trucks move 90% of all freight in the state. TTA President and CEO John Esparza said a $1 swing in the price of diesel adds roughly $15,000 a year in cost per truck, an expense that is difficult for carriers to recover quickly.
Industry analysts have linked the run-up in diesel prices to supply disruptions tied to the war in Iran and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, both of which have squeezed global fuel supplies. President Donald Trump addressed the issue publicly over the weekend, saying the price pressure stems primarily from the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than events in the Middle East, and said he had asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to avoid striking Russian diesel infrastructure.
Owner-operators like Rick, who fuel up multiple times a week, say they have little choice but to keep driving despite thinning margins. Rick said owner-operators cannot afford to stop working and must find ways to keep their trucks moving.
Source: Spectrum News - https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/09/17/diesel-prices-rising