Diesel Prices Surge in Texas, Squeezing Truckers and Rippling Through Economy

Experts warn higher trucking costs could impact groceries, construction, and more as diesel prices climb nearly 50% in a month.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:04pm

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Texas diesel prices have spiked to an average of $5.11 per gallon, up nearly 50% in the past month, squeezing truckers like Nick Mora who say their fuel costs have risen from around $300 to $400 per fill-up. Experts warn these higher trucking costs could ripple through the broader economy, impacting the prices of groceries, construction materials, and more as companies pass along the increased fuel expenses.

Why it matters

Diesel is a critical fuel not just for the trucking industry, but for a wide range of businesses and industries that rely on large vehicle fleets. As diesel prices surge, the increased costs for truckers could lead to higher prices for consumers on everything from food to construction projects, potentially exacerbating broader inflation concerns.

The details

Texas diesel prices have jumped from a statewide average of around $3.50 per gallon a month ago to $5.11 per gallon currently, according to AAA data. Nationwide, the average diesel price is just under $5.50 per gallon. For truckers like Nick Mora, who hauls construction materials around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, that means a fill-up that used to cost around $300 is now closer to $400. Mora fills up his truck three times per week, making the higher fuel costs a major burden on his business.

  • Texas diesel prices averaged around $3.50 per gallon a month ago.
  • Texas diesel prices currently average $5.11 per gallon, according to the latest AAA data.

The players

Nick Mora

A Texas-based trucker who hauls construction materials and has seen his weekly fuel costs rise from around $300 to $400 due to the diesel price spike.

Tom Seng

A professor at Texas Christian University who studies the broader economic impacts of changes in fuel prices.

John Esparza

The president of the Texas Trucking Association, who warns that trucking companies will likely have to pass along their higher fuel costs to shippers and customers.

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What they’re saying

“It's lots of money.”

— Nick Mora, Truck driver

“We fill our cars up, and we see the personal impact. But diesel in particular is a key thing to look at from the overall impact on every single thing that we buy.”

— Tom Seng, Professor, TCU

“You're going to see that price being 'absorbed' by the trucking company, which will in turn raise its rates, which will in turn charge those rates to the shipper or their product.”

— John Esparza, President, Texas Trucking Association

What’s next

Experts will continue to monitor the impact of rising diesel prices on the broader economy, including potential effects on consumer prices for goods and services.

The takeaway

The surge in Texas diesel prices is squeezing truckers like Nick Mora, who are facing significantly higher fuel costs. These increased trucking expenses are expected to ripple through the economy, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers on a wide range of products and services as companies pass along the added fuel costs.