Diesel prices hit a new record high this week, driven by U.S. involvement in global conflicts. With this upward trend showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon, fleets are feeling the pressure and taking action where they can to endure this price-hike wave. 

The current state of fuel prices in the U.S.

So how did we get here? The problem began back in late February 2026 when the U.S. and Israel unleashed multiple attacks on Iran. There’s dispute over President Trump’s exact motives for these attacks, but he cited preventing Iran from crafting nuclear weapons and destroying the country’s missiles. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated during these attacks.

In response to these strikes, Iran struck Gulf States where U.S. bases resided. What experts feared would happen occurred on February 28, when Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Historically, this Persian Gulf waterway has been a major source of conflict due to its importance to the global oil market. 

According to Dave Roos of History.com, “Whoever controls the Strait of Hormuz controls about 25 percent of the global oil supply.”

The strait’s closure caused oil prices to surge, and U.S. fuel prices have been high ever since. Since February, the strait has opened and closed several times. A ceasefire was briefly in place but expired without a more permanent agreement. Tankers in the strait have been attacked from both sides of the conflict. I could go on. ‘

That brings us to today’s current predicament. Iran has made its conditions for ending the conflict and reopening the strait clear. Trump appears to be weighing his options, which span from “wiping Iran out” to engaging in negotiations. A U.N. panel believes both sides could be guilty either of war crimes or crimes against humanity. And even if peace is somehow established soon, experts say fuel prices wouldn’t immediately drop. 

September started with diesel prices at $5.967, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That average has risen steadily to $6.529, up $2.780 from this time last year. 

Gasoline prices have followed a similar pattern this month. At the beginning of September, gas prices were $4.157. They now rest at $4.478. 

How fleets are responding to higher fuel prices

Fleets across the country are feeling the pressure as higher fuel prices hurt budgets. Smaller carriers and owner-operators seem to be especially affected.  Here’s a roundup of different fleet responses from across the country:

• Alabama: The fleet manager for the city of Gadsden spoke with local news reporters about reducing idle time and benefiting from a contract with a local distributor. 
• Missouri: The president and CEO of the Missouri Trucking Association said small fleets in the state have closed since fuel prices have gone up.
• California: An owner-operator (OO) from LA argued that OOs shouldn’t have to bear the full burden of higher fuel prices. He told the New York Post that brokers should negotiate higher rates with contractors. 
• Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is bracing for how higher fuel prices will affect winter snowplow operations and doing what it can now to maximize fuel economy. 

How fleets can survive this fuel price crisis

In an unpredictable, complicated situation like the current fuel price crisis in the U.S., there isn’t one clear answer to how every fleet should respond. Every fleet is different. But according to Tommy Slaymaker, director of fleet services at the Pete Store (one of the largest Peterbilt dealers in North America), the key is to identify inefficiencies without creating long-term maintenance problems or sacrificing uptime.

“Higher prices put a spotlight on the total cost of ownership,” said Slaymaker. “Keeping an older truck longer may help in the short term, but fleets also must consider the total cost they pay for that aging equipment in fuel, maintenance, and downtime. It comes down to weighing these costs against the total expense of replacing the equipment.”

For fleets struggling to balance equipment and maintenance concerns against higher fuel prices, Slaymaker had the following advice:

• Focus on preventive maintenance: “Proactive maintenance is crucial in keeping overall cost lower. Delaying repairs or skipping out on routine maintenance can and will lead to much higher expenses later.”
• Spec correctly: “As fleets continue to watch the projected cost per mile, making sure the truck is spec’d correctly for the application it’s intended for, along with the geography it's operating in, can make a significant impact on overall fuel consumption and maintenance.”
• Consider equipment decisions carefully: “It is not recommended for fleets to make long-term equipment decisions based solely on any singular cost. They should understand how the truck should be spec’d appropriately for the job, while continuing to optimize fuel efficiency, maintenance, and replacement costs together.”
• Train drivers: “Experienced fleets know fuel prices go up and down, so they’re primarily focused on how to manage these spikes. Drivers spend more time with the equipment than anyone else, so giving them proper training can also have a meaningful impact on fuel consumption.”