Diesel prices are climbing rapidly as the war involving Iran disrupts global oil supplies, raising costs across the U.S. economy.
For one veteran truck driver, Josh, who runs the YouTube channel The Enemy From Within about the trucking industry, the surge is another blow to drivers already struggling to stay afloat.
“Donald Trump just screwed the American trucker again,” Josh said in a recent video discussing the impact of rising fuel costs.
The complaint comes as diesel prices have been rising even faster than gasoline since the conflict began.
According to recent data cited by CNN Business, gasoline prices have climbed 47 cents, or 16%, to about $3.45 per gallon.
Diesel prices have increased even more sharply, 84 cents, or about 22%, bringing the national average to roughly $4.60 per gallon.
Diesel Matters More Than Many Consumers Realize
Many Americans never buy diesel themselves, but it powers the systems that deliver most goods and food across the country.
Nearly every product people buy spends at least part of its journey on trucks that run on diesel fuel.
“While you’ve likely never bought a gallon of diesel, it’s still worth worrying about,” CNN Business reported.
“That’s because much of the world’s economy, from consumer goods to the food you eat, gets to you thanks to diesel.”
The current spike comes amid broader turmoil in global energy markets tied to the conflict in Iran.
Oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel for the first time in years as fighting disrupts shipping routes and energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Roughly 20% of the world’s oil normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping corridor between Iran and Oman.
The war has significantly disrupted tanker traffic through the region, contributing to rising fuel costs worldwide.
Why Diesel Is Rising Faster Than Gas
Energy analysts say diesel prices were already under pressure even before the latest geopolitical shock.
The U.S. entered the conflict period with relatively tight diesel supplies, partly due to strong demand for heating oil during an unusually cold winter.
Heating oil and diesel are nearly identical fuels, which means increased demand for home heating reduced available supply.
Because diesel inventories were already constrained, the war-driven energy shock is hitting diesel harder than gasoline.
Some analysts warn diesel could climb even higher in the coming weeks if global supply disruptions continue.
Trucking Industry Feels The Impact First
The trucking industry tends to feel fuel spikes faster than most sectors.
Diesel is one of the largest expenses for trucking companies, particularly for independent drivers and small fleets.
One small-business trucking owner told CNN the rapid jump in prices caught him off guard.
“I’ve seen diesel prices fluctuate, but never spike that quick,” said Kareem Miller, who operates a three-truck company in Chicago. “It was bad.”
Larger logistics companies typically offset rising fuel costs by adding surcharges to shipments.
UPS, the nation’s largest trucking company, has already increased its weekly fuel surcharge and could raise it again if diesel prices continue climbing.
But smaller operators often have less protection from sudden price swings.
A Trucker’s Perspective From The Road
Josh says the situation is especially dangerous for owner-operators and small trucking companies that rely on spot-market freight rather than contracted loads.
“It’s been a nightmare of a year for the American truck driver,” he said in the video.
According to his account, many drivers were already struggling with weaker freight demand and tighter margins before diesel prices surged.
“What we’ve seen over the last year for the American truck driver has been absolutely devastating,” he said.
He also warned that fuel spikes can quickly wipe out profits for independent drivers who pay for diesel out of pocket.
“How is that helping the already struggling trucking companies out there?” he said.
“How is it helping the already struggling owner-operator out there that’s paying for his own diesel?”
Ripple Effects Across The Economy
The effects of higher diesel prices reach far beyond the trucking industry.
Farmers depend heavily on diesel to power tractors and harvesters, as well as to transport fertilizer and crops.
Rising fuel costs can increase agricultural production expenses just as the spring planting season begins.
“Now’s when we need it (diesel) the most,” Kansas farmer Curt Hoobler said in an interview with a local television station.
Shipping companies and cargo carriers that rely on diesel-like fuels are also adding fuel surcharges, which can eventually result in higher prices for consumers.
Because diesel powers the transportation network that moves most goods through the economy, sustained increases in fuel costs often filter through to grocery bills, retail prices, and delivery costs.
Uncertain Road Ahead
Energy officials say fuel prices could stabilize if the conflict eases and shipping routes reopen. But as long as disruptions in the Persian Gulf continue, markets remain volatile.
For truck drivers, that uncertainty creates another challenge in an industry already operating on tight margins.
Josh says he has tried to prepare for volatility by lowering his business expenses and securing freight contracts that include fuel adjustments.
But he says many others in the industry don’t have that safety net.
“The potential for me to go bankrupt is there,” he said. “It always has been there.”
For drivers across the country watching diesel prices rise, the concern is simple: if fuel keeps climbing, many trucking businesses may struggle to survive.