Diesel Prices Now Hold Steady in a Tight Market

Diesel Prices Held Steady as Stocks Tighten Before Labor Day

Diesel Prices held steady last week, with the U.S. average at $3.708 per gallon, according to latest fuel market report from EIA for the week ending August 25, 2025. That was just 0.5 cents lower than the prior week’s level and about 5.7 cents higher than the same week in 2024. While nearly unchanged, the small decline still offered modest relief during a busy freight period.

Diesel Prices by Region: Gulf Coast Lowest, West Coast Highest

Regional gaps remain wide. The Gulf Coast stayed the cheapest at $3.328. The West Coast held the top spot for the highest average at $4.461, with California at $4.873. In the middle, the Midwest averaged $3.698, and the East Coast posted $3.726. These differences can shift route choices, fuel-stop timing, and surcharge settings for fleets and owner-operators.

Supply Signals: Distillate Stocks Fall, Utilization Stays High

Behind the pump price, supply indicators turned tighter. Distillate fuel inventories (which include diesel) fell by 1.8 million barrels in the week ending August 22, 2025, and now sit about 15% below the five-year average for this time of year. Refiners still ran hard, with utilization at 94.6%, but distillate production dipped by roughly 112,000 barrels per day to 5.2 million b/d. In short, stocks tightened even as refineries kept busy heading into the Labor Day travel window.

What This Means for Trucking Operations

Diesel Prices are slightly lower than a week ago, yet the underlying supply looks snug. For trucking, that mix calls for practical steps: tighten fuel planning, lock in advantageous lanes, and keep an eye on regional spreads that can swing weekly savings. When stocks run below normal, price noise can increase; even small refinery hiccups or weather events may ripple into pump prices.

Week-Over-Week: A Gentle Decline Helps, But Watch the Trend

Compared with the prior Monday, Diesel Prices eased by 0.5 cents nationwide. That is a minor move, but repeated weekly declines add up. However, inventories are not building. Because distillate stocks remain below average, the next few reports matter. If stocks keep slipping, price relief could stall or reverse.

Year-Over-Year: Slightly Higher Diesel Prices vs. 2024

Versus the same week last year, the national price is about 5.7 cents higher. The difference is not dramatic, yet it still lifts fuel bills across long hauls. As always, regional rates decide the real-world hit. West Coast and California stand out on the high side; the Gulf Coast and parts of the Lower Atlantic offer the best chances to save on fuel.

Fast Regional Snapshot (Weekly Averages)

• U.S. average: $3.708 (−$0.005 w/w; +$0.057 y/y)
• Gulf Coast: $3.328 (lowest)
• Midwest: $3.698
• East Coast: $3.726
• Rocky Mountain: $3.748
• West Coast: $4.461 (highest);  California: $4.873

These levels shape where it pays to top off, and they help calibrate fuel surcharges by lane.

Supply Checkpoints Truckers Should Watch

• Inventories: Distillate stocks down 1.8 million barrels on the week; still ~15% below the five-year norm.
• Refinery utilization: 94.6%, signaling strong runs, but not enough to build distillate stocks last week.
• Production: Distillate output down ~112,000 b/d, which can limit near-term price relief if demand stays firm.
  These indicators frame the risk around near-term price bumps.

Practical Fuel Tactics for the Week

• Lean into regional spreads. If routes allow, favor Gulf Coast and other lower-priced markets for larger fills.
• Time purchases. Watch the weekly EIA update; small declines, compounded, can trim monthly fuel expense.
• Mind supplies signals. With stocks below average, be ready for volatility from storms, outages, or demand spikes.

Diesel Prices: Bottom Line for Truck Drivers

Diesel Prices edged down to $3.708 last week, adding a little relief. Yet distillate inventories fell again and remain well below typical levels. For trucking, the takeaway is clear: use regional price gaps to your advantage, time fills where possible, and keep a close watch on the next few EIA reports. If stocks tighten further, today’s modest savings could fade.