Diesel Prices See Better Trend as Pipeline Restart Announced

Diesel Prices Edge Lower After Recent Surge

Diesel prices showed a slight decline during the week ending April 13, 2026, after rising sharply the week before. The national average for on-highway diesel fuel reached $5.608 per gallon, according to new data, marking a decrease of 3.5 cents from the previous week.

Despite the small weekly drop, diesel prices remain significantly higher compared to both last year and two years ago. The national average is up more than $2.02 per gallon year-over-year, showing continued pressure on fuel costs across the trucking industry.

Regional Diesel Prices Trends Show Mixed Movement

Diesel price changes varied across different regions, with some areas seeing increases while others reported notable declines.

On the East Coast, the average price dropped 6.6 cents to $5.674 per gallon. However, the region showed mixed trends. New England recorded a slight increase of 2.7 cents, while the Lower Atlantic saw a larger drop of 10.6 cents.

In the Midwest, diesel prices increased by 7.8 cents, reaching $5.382 per gallon. This marked one of the few regions where prices moved higher during the week.

The Gulf Coast reported a decline of 10.5 cents, bringing the average down to $5.310 per gallon. Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountain region saw the largest decrease, with prices falling 15.6 cents to $5.256 per gallon.

On the West Coast, diesel prices dropped 10.2 cents to $6.822 per gallon. California remained the highest-priced market at $7.559 per gallon, although it saw a slight weekly decrease of less than one cent.

Gasoline Prices Hold Steady Nationwide

Gasoline prices remained relatively stable compared to diesel. The national average for regular gasoline rose slightly to $4.123 per gallon, increasing just 0.3 cents from the previous week.

Regional gasoline trends were mixed. The Midwest saw the largest increase, up 11.5 cents, while the Lower Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions both reported declines. The West Coast continued to post the highest gasoline prices, averaging $5.377 per gallon.

Pipeline Restart Could Impact Fuel Supply

At the same time, the U.S. DOT announced efforts to restart the Sable Offshore Pipeline, a move that may affect fuel supply conditions in the coming months.

According to the agency, the pipeline restart is intended to increase the flow of domestically produced energy. Officials stated that restoring operations could help move more crude oil and related products through key energy corridors.

The project focuses on improving energy infrastructure reliability, which could play a role in stabilizing fuel markets if additional supply reaches refineries and distribution networks.

What the Pipeline Restart Means for Truck Drivers

For truck drivers, fuel prices remain one of the highest operational costs. Any changes in supply can influence diesel prices, especially in regions that rely heavily on steady fuel distribution.

The restart of the Sable Pipeline may help ease supply constraints over time. Increased domestic production and transportation capacity could lead to more consistent fuel availability, which may reduce price volatility.

However, the impact is not expected to be immediate. Fuel markets are influenced by multiple factors, including global supply disruptions, refinery capacity, and seasonal demand.

In the short term, drivers may continue to see fluctuating diesel prices similar to recent weeks. Still, infrastructure projects like this could support longer-term stability in fuel costs if they improve overall supply flow.

Diesel Prices Remain a Key Concern

Even with the recent weekly decline, diesel prices remain elevated compared to historical levels. The year-over-year increase highlights ongoing challenges for carriers and owner-operators managing fuel expenses.

As a result, fuel trends continue to play a major role in the broader trucking market. Small weekly changes can still have a significant impact on operating margins, especially for long-haul drivers covering high-mileage routes.

With fuel supply developments and infrastructure updates underway, the coming weeks may provide more clarity on whether diesel prices will stabilize or continue to shift.