Food Truck Owner Struggles with Surging Diesel Prices

Small business owner forced to limit travel to conserve fuel costs

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal fuel canister, a set of car keys, and a tablet displaying fuel price data, all arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to conceptually represent the financial pressures faced by small businesses due to rising fuel costs.As fuel prices continue to surge, small business owners like food truck operators must find creative ways to manage their costs and avoid passing on the burden to customers.Harrisburg Today

Quinn Barr, the owner of Quinn's Coffee Bar, a traveling food truck in Pennsylvania, is feeling the strain of record-high diesel and gasoline prices. As the cost of fuel continues to surge, Barr is having to adjust her business model by limiting travel to nearby areas and is prepared to raise prices if relief doesn't come soon.

Why it matters

The rising cost of fuel is putting significant pressure on small businesses like food trucks that rely on gasoline and diesel to operate. As these costs continue to climb, it's forcing owners to make difficult decisions that could impact their bottom line and the affordability of their products for customers.

The details

Barr, who operates her food truck in Dauphin and Lancaster counties, says the business is run like a restaurant and a vehicle at the same time. Her diesel powers all the equipment inside the truck, while gasoline is needed to get from one location to another. With the average price of diesel in Pennsylvania nearing $6 per gallon and gasoline around $4 per gallon, Barr and her food truck peers are feeling the financial strain. To conserve fuel, Barr is now limiting her travel to the Harrisburg area instead of venturing out to places like Chambersburg or Lancaster, which are about an hour away each way.

  • The average price of diesel in Pennsylvania is nearly $6 per gallon as of March 2026.
  • The average price of gasoline in Pennsylvania is nearly $4 per gallon as of March 2026.

The players

Quinn Barr

The owner and operator of Quinn's Coffee Bar, a traveling café that serves areas across Dauphin and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“My food truck friends and I talk about all different angles of the business, and this with the increase in diesel and gasoline definitely affects our bottom line.”

— Quinn Barr, Food Truck Owner

“I do try to stay in the Harrisburg area versus going out to places like Chambersburg or Lancaster. Those are about an hour each way.”

— Quinn Barr, Food Truck Owner

What’s next

Barr is hopeful she won't have to raise prices, but says she's prepared to do so if relief doesn't come soon.

The takeaway

The rising cost of fuel is putting significant strain on small businesses like food trucks, forcing owners to make difficult decisions to conserve costs, such as limiting travel and potentially raising prices. This highlights the broader impact of inflation on local economies and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs trying to maintain affordability for their customers.