Diesel fell 6.0 cents to $6.292 a gallon this week, a small break for carriers still paying 9.3 cents more than four weeks ago.
Diesel Takes a Small Step Back
- $6.292 per gallon is the U.S. average retail diesel price for the week of 2026-11-02.
- Down 6.0 cents (0.9%) from the prior week, a modest break at the pump.
- Up 9.3 cents over four weeks, so fuel surcharges and lane quotes still need a close look.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-11-02
Trucking Jobs Stall in October
- October truck transportation employment was unchanged from September, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- September was revised down to 1,471,300 from 1,473,100, a sign the driver pool is not expanding.
- Flat payrolls suggest capacity is holding steady rather than flooding back into the market.
Source: FreightWaves: October truck transportation jobs = September truck transportation jobs
Mexico Trade Booms, Theft Risk Grows
- $96.3B in September trade set a record and widened Mexico's lead as the top U.S. trading partner.
- Strong cross-border volume keeps freight moving through border lanes for carriers serving Mexico.
- 42% of Q3 cargo theft incidents in Mexico involved parked trucks, according to Overhaul.
- Drivers running into Mexico should treat parking stops as the highest-risk part of the trip.
Source: FreightWaves: Mexico widens US trade lead with record $96.3B September · FreightWaves: Mexico cargo thieves shift tactics as Q3 truck parking thefts surge
Import Freight Climbs as Prices Rise
- 9% rise in North America container imports in September, despite disruptions and higher shipping costs.
- More boxes arriving means more drayage and inland freight for carriers near ports.
- Aurora's autonomous truck production is delayed by supply and quality issues, though it still targets more than 1,000 trucks by end of 2027.
Source: FreightWaves: North America container imports rise 9% as as freight pricing pressures mount · Supply Chain Dive: Aurora’s truck production schedule delayed by supply, quality issues
Rail Fight Spills Into Public View
- The STB rejected Union Pacific's appeal and ordered release of a video with an alleged rate hike threat.
- The remarks targeted shippers opposed to the Norfolk Southern merger; UP's CEO now says he was joking.
- Schneider National has shifted its intermodal partnership to Norfolk Southern, reshaping rail options shippers weigh against trucks.
Source: FreightWaves: STB orders Union Pacific to make alleged rate hike threat video public · FreightWaves: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Humor is good,’ Union Pacific CEO says of video rate threat · Supply Chain Dive: Schneider National says rail partner shift offers network boost
Disclosure: Loadmark, Quickwell and Riddlebound are our own products. NorthStar Delivery Solutions and the companies that make them have the same owner, so we benefit when you use them. Everything marked "Our product" is a promotion for one of them, not news coverage. NSNN summarizes public reporting in its own words and links every source.
Freight Sidekick is our booking partner, not one of our own companies. NorthStar may earn a commission when you book through it. Anything marked "Partner" is a paid promotion, not news coverage.