Diesel averaged $6.292 per gallon, down 6.0 cents on the week but still up 9.3 cents over four weeks. Expect fuel to keep driving rates and surcharges.
Diesel Pulls Back, Still Elevated
- $6.292 per gallon was the U.S. average retail diesel price for the week of 2026-11-02, per EIA.
- Down 6.0 cents (0.9%) from the prior week, a small break on fuel costs.
- Up 9.3 cents over four weeks, so check that fuel surcharges still cover your real per-mile cost.
- Fuel surcharges are driving most of this fall's intermodal contract increases, keeping rail pricing tied to diesel.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-11-02 · FreightWaves: Intermodal rates coming in hot this fall; mostly fuel driven
FMCSA Crackdown Expected to Stick
- FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller says big carriers are keeping FMCSA's enforcement push alive.
- He argues non-domiciled CDL holders were probably the main reason the freight downturn dragged on.
- His view: enforcement will outlast any political change in Washington, so keep compliance files tight.
Source: FreightWaves: Big carriers keep FMCSA’s crackdown alive, Fuller says
Fraud: Hacked Comms Behind Theft
- 40% of stolen loads were linked to compromised communications, according to a Highway fraud report.
- Fraudulent calls surged 90%, so verify callers before acting on load or payment changes.
- Carrier ownership reports more than doubled, pointing to more disputes over who controls an authority.
Source: FreightWaves: Compromised communications linked to 40% of stolen loads in Highway fraud report
Border Lanes: Security and Trade
- 826 National Guard officers will be deployed by Mexico to boost highway security, relevant to cross-border cargo safety.
- 1,000-plus pounds of meth turned up in a produce truck at the Texas border after a canine alert.
- U.S. foreign-trade zones are pushing to fix USMCA tariff obstacles affecting cross-border freight.
Source: FreightWaves: Borderlands Mexico: US foreign-trade zones push to fix USMCA tariff obstacles · FreightWaves: CBP seizes 1,000-plus pounds of meth in produce truck at Texas border
Rail Shakeups Touch Drayage Work
- Union Pacific's CEO said he'd raise rates on shippers opposing the Norfolk Southern merger; UP called it an offhand comment.
- Schneider National is shifting its intermodal partnership to Norfolk Southern, which could reshape some ramp and drayage volumes.
Source: Supply Chain Dive: UP CEO’s rate threat adds wrinkle to Norfolk Southern merger process · Supply Chain Dive: Schneider National says rail partner shift offers network boost
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