The national diesel average rose 7.6 cents last week to $6.352 per gallon, and fuel executives say tight refining capacity could keep prices high into spring 2027.
Diesel Climbs Again
- $6.352 per gallon: the EIA national diesel average for the week of 2026-10-26, eating further into per-mile margins.
- Up 7.6 cents (1.2%) week over week, so check that fuel surcharges on your contracts keep pace.
- Down 3.0 cents over four weeks, meaning last week's jump erased most of the recent relief.
- Fuel and truck stop executives warn limited refining and pipeline capacity could keep diesel elevated into spring 2027.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-10-26 · FreightWaves: Diesel prices may stay elevated into spring 2027, fuel executives warn
Port Freight Piling Up
- Nearly 35,700 import containers are waiting on on-dock trains at Los Angeles and Long Beach amid reported railcar shortages.
- Record volumes plus slow rail could push more inland moves onto trucks, opening drayage and transload opportunities.
- Port Houston container volumes rose 11% in September on surging imports, a Gulf Coast lane worth watching.
Source: FreightWaves: Backlog grows as 35,000 containers await rail service at LA–Long Beach · FreightWaves: Port Houston container volumes jump 11% as imports surge in September
FMCSA Purges Training Providers
- More than 10,000 driver training providers have been removed from FMCSA's registry since December 2025.
- Fleets hiring new CDL holders should confirm a candidate's training provider is still listed.
Source: FreightWaves: FMCSA removes 10,000-plus driver training providers amid safety push
Big Carriers Report Mixed Q3
- Landstar saw strong dry van and flatbed demand from tight capacity and data center buildouts, though insurance claims hurt results.
- Werner expects cost headwinds to linger into the first quarter while it works back to mid-cycle margins.
- RXO founder Brad Jacobs backed C.H. Robinson's acquisition of RXO, citing the need for scale in brokerage.
Source: FreightWaves: Insurance claims adjustments tank Landstar’s otherwise strong Q3 · FreightWaves: Werner Enterprises sees cost headwinds lingering into Q1 · FreightWaves: Jacobs, RXO’s creator, backs its acquisition by C.H. Robinson
Cross-Border and Policy Watch
- Mexican trucking groups agreed to four negotiating sessions with officials after a strike disrupted highways in 19 states.
- USTR's pause on China-linked vessel fees is set to lift Nov. 9, but an extension to January is under consideration.
- USPS plans a weekly fuel surcharge in 2027 tied to diesel and jet fuel, matching FedEx and UPS.
Source: FreightWaves: Mexico truckers reach deal for talks after strike disrupts 19 states · Supply Chain Dive: USTR weighs extending pause on China-linked vessel fees to January · Supply Chain Dive: USPS to debut weekly fuel fee in 2027, matching FedEx, UPS practices
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