Diesel Prices Soar, Impacting Truckers and Consumers

War in Iran drives up fuel costs, forcing truckers to adjust routes and spending

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:17am

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The war in Iran has led to a sharp spike in diesel prices, with a gallon now costing $5.09 on average compared to $3.68 for regular gas. Truck drivers are feeling the pinch, having to spend hundreds more to fill up their tanks and adjust their routes to find the cheapest diesel. This increased cost is then passed on to consumers, further impacting household budgets.

Why it matters

The rise in diesel prices is a significant economic issue, as trucks transport the majority of goods across the country. The higher fuel costs for truckers will likely lead to increased shipping and transportation fees, which will then be reflected in the prices consumers pay for a wide range of products. This could exacerbate inflation and strain household budgets already stressed by other economic factors.

The details

Truck drivers reported seeing price swings of up to 50 cents per gallon of diesel from state to state. To cope, many are only filling up their tanks when they reach a half tank, and are taking routes with the cheapest diesel prices available. Some truckers said they may have to slow down or limit their driving to certain areas to save on fuel costs.

  • On March 12, 2026, the average price of diesel in the Baltimore area was $5.09 per gallon.
  • In the past week, Maryland has seen a over 50-cent increase in gas prices.

The players

Tito Estrada

An employee of Pierce Aluminum who said "It's rough, it's crazy" when discussing the high diesel prices.

Edward Pfeifer

A truck driver from Georgia who told WBAL-TV 11 News that he doesn't let his tank get below half full to avoid spending as much on diesel.

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland, who stated that there is no state that can control what the price of gas is.

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What they’re saying

“You just fill up, look at it, and wonder when it's going to go down.”

— Edward Pfeifer, Truck Driver (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“For me, right now? I don't let mine get to a half a tank. If I see it getting there, I'm pulling over and filling up. That way, I don't spend as much.”

— Edward Pfeifer, Truck Driver (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“For me, I'll top it off because this truck is going to Virginia tonight. (It's) the business, you know? A lot of truckers will close down a little bit, slow down a little bit, not going here, not going there. The further out you go, the more money you spend. It's tough for today. Tomorrow, who knows that happens? It's day by day, that's the way I see it.”

— Tito Estrada, Employee, Pierce Aluminum (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The impact of rising diesel prices on the trucking industry and consumer costs is an ongoing story that will likely continue to develop in the coming weeks and months. Analysts will be closely watching how trucking companies and consumers adapt to the higher fuel costs, and whether any government interventions or market forces emerge to stabilize prices.

The takeaway

The surge in diesel prices driven by the war in Iran is having a ripple effect across the economy, squeezing both truck drivers and consumers. This highlights the vulnerability of the transportation sector to global events and the importance of finding ways to insulate the supply chain from such disruptions in the future.