The national average price of on-highway diesel rose again this week, reaching $6.352 a gallon for the week of Oct. 26, 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That is up 7.6 cents from the week before and $2.634 higher than a year ago.
It is the third straight weekly increase. The national average was $6.179 on Oct. 12 and $6.276 on Oct. 19 before this week’s jump.
Diesel prices by region
Every region of the country is paying well over $5.80 a gallon, and the West Coast remains the most expensive place to fuel up. Here is how the EIA’s regional averages looked for the week of Oct. 26:
| Region | Price per gallon | Change from last week | Change from a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $6.352 | +7.6¢ | +$2.634 |
| East Coast | $6.079 | +9.5¢ | +$2.356 |
| New England | $6.421 | −4.9¢ | +$2.488 |
| Central Atlantic | $6.496 | −1.2¢ | +$2.615 |
| Lower Atlantic | $5.890 | +15.0¢ | +$2.248 |
| Midwest | $6.480 | +12.8¢ | +$2.765 |
| Gulf Coast | $5.951 | +4.8¢ | +$2.601 |
| Rocky Mountain | $6.521 | +9.9¢ | +$2.835 |
| West Coast | $7.329 | −6.5¢ | +$2.844 |
| West Coast (excluding California) | $6.614 | −4.5¢ | +$2.519 |
| California | $8.155 | −8.7¢ | +$3.221 |
The Lower Atlantic saw the biggest weekly increase at 15 cents, but it is still the cheapest region in the country at $5.890. The Midwest jumped nearly 13 cents. On the other side, California, the broader West Coast and parts of the Northeast actually dipped slightly from the week before — though California drivers are still paying more than $8 a gallon.
What $6 diesel means for your cost per mile
September 2026 was the first month the national average stayed above $6 a gallon, averaging $6.291 for the month, according to DAT Freight & Analytics. DAT estimated that a truck running 500 miles a day at 6 miles per gallon was spending about $524 a day on fuel in September, compared with roughly $310 a day in February — an extra $1,070 or so over a five-day week.
With prices higher again in October, owner-operators and small fleets should be checking that their fuel surcharge schedules and spot quotes keep up. DAT has noted that rates usually take a few weeks to catch up with rising diesel prices. (See our breakdown of September’s record truckload rates and fuel surcharges.)
Gasoline moves the other way
While diesel rose, regular gasoline slipped 1.5 cents to a national average of $4.269 a gallon — still $1.234 more than a year ago.
Ways to soften the hit at the pump
- Use a fuel card that gives per-gallon discounts at the truck stop chains on your regular lanes.
- Plan fuel stops by region. With a gap of more than $2 a gallon between the Lower Atlantic and California, where you fill up matters.
- Watch idle time and speed. Small cuts in idling and cruising speed add up fast at these prices.
- Price loads with fuel in mind. Make sure your rate covers your actual cost per mile, not last spring’s. A good load board with rate data helps.
The EIA publishes its next weekly diesel update on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Follow our fuel and diesel coverage for the latest numbers.
[…] Diesel has been above $6 a gallon, hitting $6.352 for the week of Oct. 26. Large carriers can absorb that far more easily than a five-truck […]