The order grants motor carriers and drivers in these areas exemptions from the standard maximum driving time when they are directly involved in relief operations. This includes the transportation of critical fuels such as propane, heating oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and heating fuel to the affected regions.

Initially issued on January 10, the emergency declaration addresses challenges posed by severe winter storms and freezing temperatures. These extreme weather conditions have heightened fuel demands while creating significant obstacles in the distribution process.

What Does “Direct Assistance” Mean?

Under the FMCSA’s directive, “direct assistance” refers to transportation and relief services provided by motor carriers or drivers that play a key role in the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services. However, this does not cover transportation intended for long-term recovery beyond the initial emergency phase or for reconstructing damaged infrastructure. Additionally, routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with only minimal emergency supplies, do not qualify for the exemptions provided.

Motor carriers or drivers who have been issued an out-of-service order are also not permitted to operate under the declaration until they meet all applicable conditions.

Returning to Normal Operations

Once emergency relief activities conclude, carriers and drivers must comply with standard driving time regulations while operating commercial vehicles. However, drivers can return empty to their terminal or their usual work reporting location without additional restrictions.

If a driver transitions from emergency relief efforts back to normal operations, they must take a 10-hour rest period if their total time engaged in relief efforts or combined relief and everyday driving exceeds 14 hours.

Additional State Declarations

Several states have also implemented their own emergency declarations to provide motor carriers and drivers with additional relief measures tailored to specific regional needs. To learn more about these state-level declarations, detailed information is available here.

Source: Land Line

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New Store Locations

• Middletown, VA: Located at 121 Confidence Lane, this site features nine dedicated truck lanes and is easily accessible from Interstate 81, exit 302.

• Asheville, NC: This establishment at 5440 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville includes four truck lanes and can be accessed via exit 44 on Interstate 26.

• Warsaw, NC: The store at 2543 W NC 24 Highway boasts five truck lanes, conveniently situated off exit 364 from Interstate 40.

• Romulus, MI: Making its debut in Michigan, this new site at 33380 Wick Road offers four truck lanes and is reachable from exit 197 on Interstate 94.

Sheetz plans to celebrate the grand openings with exciting events at each location. Guests can enjoy free self-serve coffee and soda throughout the day, along with the chance to win various prizes, including a grand prize worth $2,500 for free Sheetz for a year via a gift card. Entry into the prize draw does not require a purchase, though participants must be at least 18 years old and present at the event.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation, and each contributor will receive a limited-edition Sheetz-branded thermal bag, one per person.

With over 740 operating locations throughout Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland, Sheetz remains dedicated to serving customers around the clock.

Source: The Trucker

The post Sheetz Introduces New Diesel-Friendly Locations This Month appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Key Highlights

Weekly Trends

For the third consecutive week, the national average price for diesel has declined, accumulating a total drop of 9.7 cents over this period.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

Diesel now costs 35.9 cents less per gallon compared to the same time last year.

Regional Price Trends

Out of the ten regions in the EIA’s weekly survey, nine saw a decrease in diesel prices. The reductions ranged from 4.3 cents in California to a marginal drop of half a cent in the Midwest. The Gulf Coast region, however, saw a slight uptick of seven-tenths of a cent.

Gasoline Price Update

The national average price for gasoline saw a minor increase of 1.3 cents, bringing it to $3.484 per gallon. Despite this rise, gasoline is still 27.3 cents cheaper than it was at this time last year.

Analysis

This marks the third week in a row that diesel prices have decreased, with a total reduction of 9.7 cents. Compared to the same period last year, the national average price has fallen by 35.9 cents.

Regional Price Dynamics

East Coast (PADD1)

The East Coast region experienced a decrease of 2.8 cents, bringing the average price to $3.844 per gallon. This is 30.9 cents lower than the same period last year.

New England (PADD1A)

In New England, prices dropped slightly by 1.2 cents to $4.089 per gallon, which is 7.2 cents less than last year.

Central Atlantic (PADD1B)

The Central Atlantic region saw a more notable decline of 3.3 cents, with the average price now at $4.028 per gallon, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 26.3 cents.

Lower Atlantic (PADD1C)

Diesel prices in the Lower Atlantic fell by 2.7 cents to $3.751 per gallon, a decrease of 35 cents compared to last year.

Midwest (PADD2)

The Midwest saw a minor reduction of half a cent, bringing the average price to $3.727 per gallon, 37.8 cents lower than the previous year.

Gulf Coast (PADD3)

Contrary to the general trend, the Gulf Coast experienced a slight increase of seven-tenths of a cent, with the average price now at $3.468 per gallon. Despite this weekly rise, the price remains 36.3 cents lower than it was in the same period last year.

Rocky Mountain (PADD4)

The Rocky Mountain region saw a decrease of 1.3 cents, bringing the price to $3.718 per gallon. This is a drop of 40.9 cents from the year-ago period.

West Coast (PADD5)

The West Coast experienced a reduction of 2.4 cents, bringing the price to $4.370 per gallon, 38.3 cents lower than last year.

West Coast Less California

This subregion saw a slight decrease of 0.9 cents, with prices now averaging $3.968 per gallon, a 43.3-cent decrease from the previous year.

California

In California, prices fell by 4.3 cents to $4.831 per gallon, which is 32.7 cents lower than last year.

Source: Transport Topics

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Consistent Drop in Diesel Prices Nationwide

Diesel prices have decreased for the second week in a row, with the national average moving from $3.826 per gallon to $3.779 per gallon.

Price Drops Vary by Region

The Gulf Coast observed the most substantial drop, as diesel prices fell nearly 10 cents from $3.551 to $3.461 per gallon. Noteworthy reductions were also seen on the East Coast and in the Lower Atlantic region, where prices dropped by five cents per gallon, reducing from $3.829 to $3.778. In California, diesel prices decreased significantly from $4.932 per gallon to $4.874, while the West Coast regions experienced a reduction of almost six cents per gallon.

Source: The Trucker

The post Diesel Prices Show Continued Downward Movement Across the Nation appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The decrease in diesel prices is evident across the entire country. The Gulf Coast boasts the lowest prices at $3.384 per gallon, while California has the highest average price at $4.911 per gallon. On the East Coast, drivers are paying around $3.789 per gallon.

The EIA attributes this price drop to several factors. Demand for distillate fuels, which are crucial for the trucking and home heating sectors, has dipped to 3.67 million barrels per day. This decline is largely due to reduced manufacturing activity and a milder winter than anticipated. Additionally, there is a robust supply of renewable fuels, further impacting diesel prices.

A recent Reuters report highlighted that the two most recent U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel futures contracts settled in the steepest contango since 2020. In a contango market, the current prices of commodities are lower than those for future delivery dates. The continual decrease in diesel prices, influenced by various market dynamics and supply factors, signifies a notable trend for both consumers and industries reliant on this essential fuel.

Source: The Trucker

The post Diesel Prices in the U.S. Drop for Nine Consecutive Weeks appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average price is $3.726 per gallon, down from $3.758 on May 27 and $3.789 on May 20. The Gulf Coast boasts the lowest average price at $3.450 per gallon, followed by the Midwest at $3.592. On the other hand, California has the highest average price at $4.968 per gallon.

The EIA attributes the decline in demand for distillate fuels, used primarily in trucking and home heating, to a slowdown in manufacturing and an unexpectedly mild winter, with daily demand dropping to 3.67 million barrels.

Additionally, the supply of renewable fuels is abundant, according to the EIA.

Source: The Trucker

The post U.S. Diesel Prices Drop for Eight Consecutive Weeks appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

As per the most recent data furnished by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average diesel price stands at $3.996 as of April 1. This represents a significant decline from $4.034 recorded on March 25 and $4.028 reported earlier in the month on March 18.

Even more notably than dropping diesel prices, this downward trend is not confined to any particular region but is a nationwide phenomenon, as indicated by the EIA’s data. Prices have seen a consistent decrease across all regions of the U.S.

Among these regions, the Gulf Coast boasts the lowest average diesel price, with a gallon setting consumers back by only $3.670. However, in California, widely known for its strict regulatory environment, diesel prices remain relatively high, still hovering above the $5 mark at $5.221 per gallon. Despite these high prices, there has been a slight but perceptible downward trend in prices within the Golden State.

Turning attention toward the Midwest, diesel prices have dropped to $3.949 per gallon from $3.986 recorded on March 25, indicating a steady and gradual, but influential decline.

Similarly, in New England, where prices tend to be higher compared to other regions, the average stands at $4.305 per gallon, a slight reduction from $4.321 per gallon noted on March 25, according to data compiled by the EIA.

Overall, the recent downturn in diesel prices across the nation has brought welcome relief to consumers and businesses alike, potentially offering some respite amid broader economic uncertainties.

Source: The Trucker

The post A Welcome Reprieve for Driver’s Wallets, Diesel Prices Drop Below $4 for First Time Since February appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“I would hope 2024 will be a gentler year for diesel,” said Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis.

The U.S. on-highway retail diesel price average commenced the year at $3.876 per gallon, a noticeable decrease from the 2023 starting price of $4.583 per gallon. Last year witnessed fluctuations in the national average, hitting a low of $3.794 in July and a high of $4.633 in September.

American Trucking Associations Chief Economist, Bob Costello, predicts minimal movement in diesel prices this year, drawing parallels to December 2023 when the national on-highway average consistently remained around or below the $4-per-gallon mark.

In 2023, industry observers closely monitored the actions of the Federal Reserve and OPEC oil ministers. However, analysts suggest that OPEC faces a more challenging task in 2024 as its members strive to balance revenue needs for their oil-dependent economies through output cuts while retaining market share amid record U.S. crude production.

Wood Mackenzie, a business intelligence firm, anticipates the average benchmark Brent crude to be $88 per barrel in 2024, compared to $83 per barrel in 2023. West Texas Intermediate crude is expected to average $83 per barrel, up from $78 per barrel in 2023, according to Vice President of Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets Alan Gelder.

Bank of America’s Francisco Blanch forecasts Brent and WTI prices to average $90 per barrel and $86 per barrel, respectively, as the OPEC+ alliance pledges an additional 500,000 barrels per day of production cuts.

While Brent’s 2023 low was $71.84 a barrel in June, peaking at $96.55 per barrel in late September, industry experts remain optimistic. Despite fluctuations, analysts project a balanced market in the first half of 2024, with ING forecasting a small surplus in the second quarter.

BOA’s Blanch notes that global oil demand grew by 2.1 million barrels per day year-over-year in 2023, and it is expected to grow by 1.1 million barrels per day in 2024, benefiting from the conclusion of the U.S. monetary tightening cycle and increased supply in non-OPEC+ nations.

As a result, OPEC’s production cuts are expected to be reversed, and with rising oil demand, global diesel production is poised to increase in the coming year. This positive outlook indicates a more predictable and potentially more affordable fuel landscape for motor carriers in 2024.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Diesel and Fuel Prices to Get Steady and Stay That Way in 2024 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Additional refinery capacity that came online in late 2022, combined with additional capacity expansions expected to come online in 2023, will also contribute to rising supplies of both gasoline and diesel fuel internationally, further contributing to lower prices globally in 2023 and 2024,” according to the EIA). “We also estimate that U.S. refiners will continue to produce gasoline, even as prices decrease, to meet higher global demand for diesel fuel.”.

According to concrete data, number 2 diesel concluded 2023 with an average price of $3.972 per gallon. In January 2022, prices hovered around $3.724 per gallon, reaching a peak of $5.754 in June 2022 and starting 2023 at $4.576.

While diesel prices at the pump align with the EIA’s projections, the cost remains nearly double the $1.998 recorded in February 2016. If the federal agency’s forecast holds, truck diesel is anticipated to slightly decrease to approximately $3.70 per gallon in 2024.

Despite the usual correlation between diesel and passenger vehicle fuel costs, the two appear somewhat out of sync. Diesel experienced fluctuations, dropping to $3.802 in June 2023 before rising to $4.563 in September. Industry observers, including GasBuddy, express optimism that prices will decrease and stabilize.

However, the ongoing crisis in the oil-rich Middle East introduces an element of uncertainty that could impact truck transportation costs.

“After 13 straight weeks of decline, average gasoline prices have edged higher due to optimistic comments from the Fed on cutting interest rates in 2024, coupled with Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, boosting concerns of a disruption to global shipping, including oil shipments,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For now, the price of gasoline has already jumped but could ease slightly this week ahead of the New Year. For now, I’m optimistic that we may still have a chance of seeing the first $2.99 national average since 2021 sometime before spring arrives.”

The U.S. achieved another record high for crude oil production at 13.3 million barrels per day. In the prior administration, such production records led to the nation becoming a net exporter, often associated with the concept of “energy independence” and low gasoline and diesel prices. If these metrics persist, barring further energy disruptions, truckers may experience some relief in the months ahead.

Source: TruckersReport

The post Diesel Prices Could Remain Low Throughout 2024, EIA and GasBuddy Report appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Notable changes include an 8.6-cent increase in the Lower Atlantic, a 5.3-cent rise in the East Coast, and a 3.9-cent climb in the Gulf Coast for trucking’s primary fuel. However, California bucked the trend with the most significant price drop, slipping by 2.9 cents to $5.202 per gallon, maintaining its status as the sole region where diesel prices remain above $5 a gallon.

While this week’s increase interrupts eight consecutive weeks of declining national diesel prices, it’s essential to note that the current national average still sits at a level 62.3 cents per gallon lower than the same period last year.

In tandem with the diesel price fluctuations, gasoline prices experienced an uptick in seven of the ten regions and at the national level. Gasoline prices increased by 6.3 cents per gallon, reaching a national average of $3.116. As we navigate these shifts in fuel prices, truckers are advised to stay vigilant and adapt to the evolving market dynamics for optimal operational planning.

While the recent uptick in diesel and gasoline prices signals a shift in the market, the broader context emphasizes the need for truckers to stay informed and agile in response to the evolving fuel landscape. As the industry adapts to these fluctuations, proactive planning and a keen awareness of market dynamics will be integral to ensuring operational efficiency in the new year.

Source: Transport Topics

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