If your shipping costs jumped this fall, you’re not imagining it. The U.S. average retail price for on-highway diesel broke its all-time weekly record in September 2026, reaching $6.53 a gallon. The previous record, $5.81, had stood since June 2022.
For the month of September, diesel averaged $6.29 a gallon nationally, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA points to constrained Middle East oil supply and a tight diesel market. It expects relief over time, forecasting diesel to average about $4.50 a gallon in 2027, but the months ahead remain volatile.
Why diesel hits delivery costs so hard
Diesel moves nearly everything: box trucks, straight trucks, and the regional freight that restocks the shelves your suppliers depend on. When fuel spikes, every mile costs more, and that flows straight into freight rates and surcharges.
Five ways to protect your budget
- Consolidate shipments. Fewer, fuller runs beat many half-empty ones.
- Move to scheduled routes. Planned, recurring runs are more fuel-efficient than last-minute dispatches.
- Right-size the vehicle. Don’t send a 26-foot truck for a load that fits in an SUV.
- Ask how your surcharge is calculated. A transparent fuel surcharge tied to the published EIA price protects both sides when prices swing.
- Use data. Route planning and vehicle telematics cut idle time and wasted miles.
How Way To Go helps
Our fleet runs from hatchbacks and SUVs to box trucks and 26-foot straight trucks, so we can match the vehicle to the job instead of charging you for capacity you don’t need. Our dispatch team plans routes to keep miles and costs down, whether you need a scheduled route or a same-day hot shot.
Want to see what a smarter delivery plan could save you? Call 205.731.9000 or request a quote.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update (weekly retail prices) and Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026.