Diesel Hits $3.71 National Average — Regional Prices and What It Means for Your Margins

U.S. on-highway diesel climbed to $3.711 per gallon for the week ending February 16, 2026, according to the EIA. That's up 2.3 cents from last week and marks six consecutive weeks of increases since the $3.459 low on January 12.

Compared to a year ago, prices are only up 3.4 cents nationally — but regional swings tell a different story.

Regional Price Breakdown

Not all lanes are created equal. Here's where diesel is hitting hardest:

• California: $4.860/gal — Still the most expensive state by far, up 2.1 cents year-over-year
• New England (PADD 1A): $4.215/gal — Highest in the Northeast, up 19.4 cents YoY
• West Coast (PADD 5): $4.383/gal — Up 6.7 cents YoY
• Rocky Mountain (PADD 4): $3.607/gal — Biggest week-over-week jump at +6.8 cents
• Midwest (PADD 2): $3.664/gal — Up 6.2 cents YoY
• Gulf Coast (PADD 3): $3.412/gal — Cheapest region, but still climbing

If you're running West Coast loads, you're paying $50–100 more per week on a 2,000-mile run compared to Gulf Coast lanes.

Fuel Surcharges Are Adjusting

Diesel has risen roughly 25 cents since early January. Major carriers are updating surcharges accordingly:

• FedEx: 21.75% (Feb 23–Mar 1)
• ATLAS: 15.5% or $0.30/mile
• Southeastern Freight Lines: 27.89%

If you're on contract work, surcharges typically pass through 80–100% of fuel cost increases. But if you're running spot market loads, you need to factor these increases into your rate negotiations before accepting.

What This Means for Your Bottom Line

Fuel is still 30–40% of your total operating costs. This week's uptick shaves roughly $10–15/day off your margins on average runs.

Here's what you can do right now:

1. Check your fuel card discounts — Programs like TCS, RoadRewards Pro, and Love's rewards can save $0.05–$0.15/gal
2. Route around high-cost regions when possible — a 20-mile detour to avoid a $0.40/gal price difference pays for itself
3. Lock in fuel surcharges on every rate confirmation — don't accept loads without one
4. Monitor the EIA weekly release every Monday at eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel

With crude prices stable and no major supply disruptions on the horizon, expect diesel to trend sideways to slightly up through early spring. If you're hauling West Coast lanes regularly, look into fixed-price fuel programs or fuel hedging through your carrier network.

The operators who track fuel costs weekly — not monthly — are the ones keeping their margins intact.