Diesel Prices Drop for a Third Straight Week: $6.179

What happened

Diesel prices went down again this week. It is the third weekly drop in a row. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the government office that tracks fuel prices, released its weekly numbers on Oct. 14, 2026.

The national average for on-highway diesel is now $6.179 a gallon. That is 2 cents less than last week, when it was $6.199. The price includes all taxes.

The drop is small this time. The Trucker reported that about half of the regions went up a little and the other half went down a little. The biggest drop was in the Lower Atlantic region, from $5.699 to $5.645. The biggest rise was in the Rocky Mountain region, from $6.267 to $6.302.

Here is what diesel costs by region, according to EIA:

• Gulf Coast (includes Texas): $5.809
• East Coast: $5.908
• Midwest: $6.259
• Rocky Mountain: $6.302
• West Coast: $7.240
• California: $8.091

The two weeks before were bigger drops. The average fell almost 15 cents to $6.382 in late September, then about 18 cents to $6.199 the next week.

What it means for owner-operators

Fuel is one of your biggest costs. Three weeks of lower prices means a little more money stays in your pocket on every load.

If you run in Texas and the Gulf Coast, you are buying in one of the cheaper regions. Gulf Coast diesel is about 37 cents under the national average this week.

But keep it real. Diesel is still about $2.51 a gallon higher than a year ago, says EIA. One good month does not fix a tight budget. And this week's drop was only 2 cents.

What to do next

• Plan your fuel stops. Fill up in cheaper regions when your route allows it.
• Check your fuel surcharge. Make sure your rates still match what you pay at the pump.
• Track your cost per mile every week, not just when prices jump.
• Use the savings wisely. Set some aside for repairs and your insurance payments.
• Know what your policy covers before a breakdown or a claim. Read our trucking insurance coverage guide.

The next EIA update comes out Oct. 20. Want someone to review your truck insurance with you? Call TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727.