Diesel Hits $5.40 Nationally, Tops $7 in California Amid Middle East Tensions

Key Details National average diesel prices have climbed to $5.401 per gallon as of March 30, up 2.6 cents from the previous week. California leads the nation at $7.219 per gallon, marking a 35-cent jump in just one week and $2.44 higher than last year. The price surge has been driven largely by Middle East conflicts affecting crude oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Driver Response Trucking operators are actively adapting to high fuel costs by reducing empty miles, declining unprofitable loads, and cutting speeds. Slowing from 75 mph to 65 mph saves approximately 8-9 cents per mile in fuel costs - equivalent to a significant raise without increased workload. DAT Freight & Analytics reports carriers are sitting out the market rather than accepting marginal freight. Why It Matters Fuel surcharges for dry van freight have jumped from 44 cents to 60 cents per mile following recent Middle East strikes. With crude oil futures remaining volatile above $100 per barrel, even full reopening of shipping routes will take time for petroleum facilities to recover. Industry experts warn that geopolitical tensions combined with fuel prices and trade policy uncertainty could stall the trucking recovery.