The U.S. average diesel price fell 16.5 cents this week to $6.127 per gallon, a welcome break for carriers paying at the pump.
Diesel Gives Back 16.5 Cents
- $6.127 per gallon is the U.S. average retail diesel price for the week of 2026-11-09.
- Down 16.5 cents (2.6%) from last week, easing per-mile fuel costs on every load.
- Over four weeks, diesel is down 5.2 cents, so most of the relief came in one week.
Source: EIA: Weekly U.S. diesel price, week of 2026-11-09
Stolen Identity, $760K in Fuel
- $760,000+ in unpaid fuel charges stem from a scheme that allegedly impersonated a Michigan trucking company.
- Eight fuel cards were used for purchases across 23 states, according to a federal indictment.
- Two Georgia men face charges, a reminder for small carriers to watch for anyone opening accounts in their name.
Source: FreightWaves: $760K fuel-card fraud scheme tied to impersonated Michigan trucking company
Inspection Blitz Reaches Maryland, DC
- 1,000+ truck inspections were run by federal and state teams in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- 128 drivers were sidelined, meaning lost revenue days for any carrier caught unprepared.
- Separate operations in five other states turned up hundreds of violations, so keep logs and equipment inspection-ready.
Source: FreightWaves: Truck enforcements widen to Maryland, DC as 128 drivers sidelined
Imports Cooling After September Peak
- Port imports peaked in September and should slow through year-end, the NRF says, signaling softer drayage and import freight.
- Retailers still expect imports to stay elevated through 2026 compared with typical levels.
- U.S. and China extended their tariff truce until Jan. 10, 2027, keeping trade rules steady through the holidays.
Source: FreightWaves: Retailers forecast U.S. imports to stay elevated through 2026 after breakout peak season · Supply Chain Dive: US, China officially extend trade war truce by 2 months
Driverless Trucks: Costly Now, Closer Later
- $4 a mile is the 2026 cost of autonomous trucks, per a Kearney and MIT Mobility Initiative report.
- That report sees cost parity with human-driven trucks around 2028, a long-term competitive factor for small carriers.
- Aurora's truck production schedule slipped on supply and quality issues, though it still targets 1,000+ trucks by end of 2027.
Source: FreightWaves: Kearney, MIT put US driverless truck cost parity at 2028 · Supply Chain Dive: Aurora’s truck production schedule delayed by supply, quality issues
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