This Week in Trucking: Idaho Speed Limits, Iran Conflict, and Rising Fuel Costs
The trucking sector faced a mix of regulatory, geopolitical, and cost pressures this week. Idaho enacted House Bill 664, raising the interstate speed limit for semi‑trucks to 80 mph, matching passenger vehicles, effective July 1. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East spurred a roughly 10% jump in aluminum futures after Iranian attacks on Gulf facilities, raising equipment costs. Meanwhile, diesel prices rose 24 cents to $5.64 per gallon, and the FMCSA announced a national truck‑parking study to collect about 1,000 driver responses.
Oil Prices Climb Toward $100 as Ceasefire Uncertainty Shakes Markets
Oil prices surged toward the $100 level as doubts grew over a fragile cease‑fire between the United States, Iran and Israel. On April 9 U.S. crude jumped 6.8% to $100.79 a barrel while Brent rose 3.7% to $98.24, still well above...
How California Fleets Are Tackling $7 Diesel With Electric Trucks
Diesel prices in California have surged past $7 per gallon, a 55% increase since early 2026, prompting carriers to confront soaring fuel surcharges that jumped 20% in just two weeks. In response, many fleets are accelerating purchases of battery‑electric trucks,...
Freight Market Sees Covid-Era Extremes Return as Capacity Tightens
The latest Logistics Managers’ Index shows freight capacity tightening to a 39.2 reading, the sharpest contraction since 2021, while transportation pricing surged to 89.4, the fastest rate growth since March 2022. The gap between capacity and pricing marks the most...
FMCSA Launches Truck Parking Study, Seeks Driver Feedback Nationwide
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched a study titled “Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces” to tackle the persistent truck‑parking shortage across the United States. The agency is collecting roughly 1,000 driver survey responses,...
Dizzying Fuel Prices Mostly Outside Gas Stations’ Control
U.S. gasoline prices have risen above $4 per gallon, the highest level since 2022, driven primarily by surging crude oil costs linked to geopolitical tensions such as the Iran war. While consumers often blame stations, retailers only capture roughly 10%...
WIT Names 2026 Top Women to Watch in Trucking
Women in Trucking (WIT) announced its 2026 Top Women to Watch, naming 75 professionals across the trucking ecosystem. Selections were based on achievements and measurable impact over the past 12‑18 months, spanning carriers, logistics firms, equipment makers, technology companies, and...
From Diesel Prices to Cyberattacks: How the Iran War Is Affecting Trucking
Rising diesel prices, driven by Iran‑related oil flow disruptions, have pushed crude near $100 per barrel and added an estimated $40 billion in fuel costs across the U.S. trucking sector. The surge in fuel expenses is compressing margins, prompting carrier exits...
Diesel Surge Lifts Spot Rates but Squeezes Fleet Margins
Recent diesel price surges lifted total spot rates for dry‑van, refrigerated and flatbed trucks to their highest levels since late 2022, adding more than 10 cents per mile. When fuel surcharges are removed, linehaul rates slipped 3.5‑8 cents per mile, cutting actual revenue...
Fleet Advantage Launches Free Audit to Help Fleets Cut 2027 Truck Costs
Fleet Advantage has launched a complimentary Capital Cost Avoidance Program (CCAP) audit, debuting at the ATA Technology & Maintenance Council meeting in Nashville. The audit offers a procurement calculator, pull‑forward purchase strategies, and identifies incentives that can offset up to...
This Week in Trucking: CDL Crackdown, Diesel Price Surge, and Tech Updates
California DMV cancelled about 13,000 non‑domiciled CDLs and FMCSA blocked future issuance, tightening driver supply for out‑of‑state operators. The U.S. Department of Education proposed Workforce Pell Grants to fund 8‑15‑week CDL and technician training, though program length may limit impact....
Flatbed Spot Rates Keep Climbing, Reaching Strongest Week Since 2022
Flatbed spot rates surged to their strongest level since October 2022, rising more than 5 cents per mile and pushing weekly volumes up 5.3%, the highest since May 2022. While dry‑van and refrigerated segments posted modest week‑over‑week declines, their rates...
Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue
A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation acted arbitrarily in trying to rescind approval for New York City’s congestion pricing program, allowing the toll system to remain in force. The decision keeps peak‑hour truck tolls at...
FMCSA Chief Vows to “Clean Up the Mess” In Modern Trucking
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek D. Barrs announced a sweeping enforcement push at the Truckload Carrier Association convention, targeting fraud, unsafe operations, and regulatory loopholes. The agency is purging shell carriers, removing over 7,000 dubious CDL schools, and...
Diesel Prices Rise Sharply, While Gas Increases Remain Modest Across the U.S.
U.S. diesel prices jumped 10 cents to $3.809 per gallon for the week ending Feb. 23, with the Midwest posting the steepest regional rise of 13 cents. The West Coast continues to lead in absolute cost, averaging $4.465. By contrast, gasoline...
