Diesel rose 7.6 cents to $6.352 per gallon, squeezing margins for anyone without a strong fuel surcharge.
Diesel Jumps Again
- $6.352 per gallon is the national diesel average for the week of 2026-10-26, per EIA.
- Up 7.6 cents (1.2%) week over week, enough to erase thin margins on long hauls.
- Down 3.0 cents over four weeks, so the latest jump reverses most of the recent relief.
- Check that your fuel surcharge tables track weekly moves, not monthly averages.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-10-26
SoCal Port Strike Days Away
- A strike at the busiest U.S. port could hit within days as union watchmen and port employers keep negotiating.
- Both sides extended the contract, which buys time but does not settle anything yet.
- Drayage and Southern California outbound carriers should plan for possible container delays and lane disruption.
Source: FreightWaves: Strike at busiest US port just days away as talks continue
Factories Keep Growing
- 55.5 was October's ISM manufacturing PMI, beating expectations and marking a 10th straight month of expansion.
- Steady factory output supports industrial and flatbed freight demand heading into year end.
- Survey respondents grew more negative, citing the Iran war, price swings and trade wars as risks.
- Public LTL carriers describe demand with cautious optimism, matching the PMI signal.
Source: FreightWaves: October’s 55.5 manufacturing PMI beats expectations · Supply Chain Dive: Manufacturing expands for 10th straight month, but Iran war weighs heavily
Peak Season Signals
- 4% growth in holiday parcel demand is forecast by ShipMatrix, the strongest peak since 2022.
- Big retailers, including Amazon, reported paying more for freight in the third quarter.
- Rising shipper freight costs plus firmer peak volume may give small carriers more room on rates.
Source: FreightWaves: Parcel shipping demand to increase 4% during holidays, ShipMatrix says · FreightWaves: Amazon, retailers paid more for freight in 3Q
Network Shifts to Watch
- Norfolk Southern and Schneider National are partnering to expand East Coast intermodal reach, adding rail competition on some lanes.
- $400M Walmart distribution center planned for Cibolo, Texas, with groundbreaking expected this February.
- The 744,000-plus-square-foot site could create new regional freight in the San Antonio area.
Source: Supply Chain Dive: Norfolk Southern, Schneider National team to scale East Coast intermodal reach · Supply Chain Dive: Walmart plans $400M Texas distribution center
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