It’s safe to say that the trucking industry and general public aren’t happy with the high fuel prices the U.S. has experienced this year. With midterm elections approaching in November, President Trump has seemingly been on a mission to lower prices—without ending his stalemate with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. 

Federal diesel tax relief and Russian fuel imports aim to lower prices

On October 5, Trump signed an executive order to allow truck drivers and farmers to use red-dyed diesel. This type of fuel is tax-free, and the order allows it to be used through the rest of 2026. The White House claimed using this diesel could help truck drivers save more than $100 per fueling. 

On October 9, Trump revealed that he struck a deal with Russia that would give the U.S. and global markets more than 300,000 tons of diesel. This deal would include an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.”

Impact of diesel tax relief and Russian fuel imports remains uncertain

Experts remain doubtful of red-dyed diesel offering truck drivers meaningful savings. "The dyed (red) diesel order sounds big, but most drivers won't benefit," Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, wrote on social media. "States still enforce their own rules, it's not truly tax-free, and it doesn't add a single gallon of supply."

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) issued a statement following the announced executive order, highlighting how truck drivers are feeling the effects of higher fuel prices.

"Truckers are feeling the pain at the pump," said Todd Spencer, president and CEO of OOIDA. "Every $1 increase per gallon in fuel costs our members around $400 more per week, and sustained high prices will put many truck drivers out of business. Meanwhile, oil executives pad their profits while working families struggle. Consumers also pay the price. Roughly 70% of domestic freight moves exclusively by truck, and the cost of fuel ultimately gets passed on. OOIDA believes allowing the wider use of red-dyed diesel will provide minimal relief. Market stability is essential to bring down costs for the long haul."

Using red-dyed diesel also comes with fuel-quality risks that fleets don’t typically need to worry about with normal diesel. 

As for the Russian fuel deal, both politicians and industry experts aren’t impressed. Republicans and Democrats claim this deal won’t offer enough relief, while helping Vladimir Putin fund his war with Ukraine.

Dean Croke, principal analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics, told USA Today the amount of diesel from Russia wouldn’t be enough.

“In my opinion, there’s no impact, given it’s such a tiny amount in the big scheme of things,” Croke said.

October diesel and gasoline price trends in the U.S.

• Week 1: The national average on-highway diesel price dropped 18 cents to $6.199. Gas prices dropped 11 cents to $4.354. Compared to last year, diesel prices are up $2.488, and gas prices are up $1.230.
• Week 2: The national average on-highway diesel price dropped 2 cents to $6.179. Gas prices dropped 2 cents to $4.331. Compared to last year, diesel prices are up $2.514, and gas prices are up $1.270.
• Week 3: The national average on-highway diesel price rose 10 cents to $6.276. Gas prices dropped 5 cents to $4.284. Compared to last year, diesel prices are up $2.656, and gas prices are up $1.265.
• Week 4: The national average on-highway diesel price rose 8 cents to $6.352. Gas prices dropped 2 cents to $4.269. Compared to last year, diesel prices are up $2.634, and gas prices are up $1.234.