Truckers Struggle with Soaring Diesel Prices in California

Diesel costs up to $6.75 per gallon, forcing truckers to cut costs and consider parking their rigs

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:20am

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Truckers in California are feeling the pinch as diesel prices have skyrocketed to as high as $6.75 per gallon, forcing them to find ways to cut expenses and stay in business. Owner-operator Trey Dyar and other drivers are bypassing high-priced pumps, taking on higher-paying loads, and limiting stops to save money. Experts predict diesel could reach $8 per gallon in California by the end of 2026 due to refinery issues, new regulations, and the war with Iran.

Why it matters

The soaring diesel prices are not only impacting truckers' bottom lines, but also threaten to drive up consumer prices across the board as the increased costs get passed on. The trucking industry is the backbone of the U.S. economy, so disruptions to their operations could have far-reaching consequences.

The details

Trey Dyar, an owner-operator from North Carolina, found himself paying $6.65 per gallon to fuel up his rig in Otay Mesa, California, after making a delivery in the San Diego area. Dyar said he purposely bypassed other truck stops charging as much as $6.75 per gallon. Another driver, Tom from Colorado, said he is on the verge of parking his truck because his company can't afford the high diesel prices. Dyar and Tom say the border economy, as well as the U.S. and Mexico, will see a negative impact if the prices don't come down soon.

  • Right before the military operations began against Iran, Dyar was paying $2.89 to $3.10 per gallon for diesel.
  • Yesterday, Dyar paid $5.04 per gallon for diesel in Arizona.

The players

Trey Dyar

A North Carolina-based owner-operator trucker who is trying to cut expenses by bypassing high-priced pumps and taking on higher-paying loads to stay in business.

Tom

A Colorado-based trucker who is on the verge of parking his truck because his company can't afford the high diesel prices.

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What they’re saying

“We just have to go as hard as we can go, be wise about how we spend money where we stop to get fuel, where we stay, it's rough times right now, as long as I can stay even that's all I care about.”

— Trey Dyar, Owner-operator trucker (Border Report)

“It's cheaper to just waited out, the company I work with is telling us it can't afford diesel prices.”

— Tom, Trucker (Border Report)

What’s next

Financial experts are predicting the Golden State could see diesel fuel go up to as much as $8 a gallon by the end of 2026 due to refinery issues, new state regulations and the war with Iran.

The takeaway

The skyrocketing diesel prices are putting immense financial pressure on the trucking industry, which is the backbone of the U.S. economy. If these high costs persist, it could lead to disruptions in the supply chain and drive up consumer prices across the board.