The national retail price for on-highway diesel reached about 4.80 dollars per gallon for the week of July 13, 2026, according to Energy Information Administration data. The reading rose from 4.578 dollars per gallon for the week ending July 6, continuing a summer climb that has raised operating costs for fleets of every size.
Regional gaps remained pronounced. For the week ending July 6, Gulf Coast diesel was the cheapest in the country at 4.225 dollars per gallon, while California carried the highest price at 6.073 dollars. The broader West Coast region averaged 5.425 dollars, and the Midwest sat at 4.458 dollars. The spread of nearly two dollars between the lowest and highest regions shapes lane profitability for carriers routing freight across the country.
Diesel is one of the largest variable costs in trucking, and sustained increases pressure margins for owner-operators and small carriers that cannot always pass fuel costs through to shippers. Fuel surcharge programs offset part of the swing on contracted freight, though timing lags can leave carriers exposed during rapid climbs.
The EIA released its most recent diesel data on July 14 and scheduled the next update for July 21. The agency publishes national and regional averages every week, giving fleets a benchmark for surcharge calculations and budget planning. Analysts tie the recent strength in part to tight refined product inventories heading into peak summer demand.
Source: EIA - https://www.indexbox.io/blog/us-diesel-prices-by-region-week-ending-july-6-2026/