Diesel hits a record $6.35 a gallon
The EIA U.S. on-highway diesel average was $6.352 for the week of October 26, 2026. That is up 7.6 cents in a week and $2.63 higher than a year ago, after a 9.7-cent jump the week before. GasBuddy says the national average passed the June 2022 record on September 10, and 2026 is on track to be the most expensive year for diesel in U.S. history.
Reporting points to the conflict involving Iran, Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and limited refining capacity. West Coast drivers pay the most:
| EIA region | Oct 19 | Oct 26 |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $6.276 | $6.352 |
| East Coast | $5.984 | $6.079 |
| Midwest | $6.352 | $6.480 |
| Gulf Coast | $5.903 | $5.951 |
| Rocky Mountain | $6.422 | $6.521 |
| West Coast | $7.394 | $7.329 |
| California | $8.242 | $8.155 |
What to do: at 6 mpg, every $1 rise in diesel adds about 17 cents to your cost per mile. Re-run your cost per mile with today's price, and check that each load pays a fuel surcharge. The new fuel surcharge calculator shows the surcharge per mile and per load from the weekly DOE price.
2027 UCR fees are up about 20%
FMCSA's final rule raising Unified Carrier Registration fees took effect October 1, 2026, when 2027 registration opened. Interstate for-hire and private carriers, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies must register. Enforcement for 2027 starts January 1, 2027, so register by December 31 at ucr.gov. Our UCR registration guide explains who must register and how to count your trucks.
| Power units | 2026 fee | 2027 fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 (and brokers) | $46 | $55 |
| 3–5 | $138 | $167 |
| 6–20 | $276 | $333 |
| 21–100 | $963 | $1,163 |
| 101–1,000 | $4,592 | $5,548 |
| 1,001 or more | $44,836 | $54,165 |
Per diem stays at $80 a day
IRS Notice 2026-60 keeps the transportation-industry meal and incidental rate at $80 a day in the continental U.S. and $86 outside it for travel from October 1, 2026. Drivers under DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80% of it, so a full day is worth a $64 deduction. Work out your yearly total with the per diem calculator, or see past years in per diem rates by year.
Key dates through February 2027
| Date | What is due |
|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 2, 2026 | Q3 2026 IFTA return and payment. October 31 is a Saturday, so most jurisdictions accept the next business day. See how to file IFTA. |
| Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | 2027 UCR registration paid. Renew your 2027 IFTA license and decals with your base state (dates vary by state). |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | Q4 2026 federal estimated tax payment (Form 1040-ES). See quarterly estimated taxes. |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | Q4 2026 IFTA return. January 31 falls on a Sunday. |
| End of Feb 2027 | IFTA has traditionally let carriers display prior-year decals through the end of February. Confirm with your base state. |
Sources
- EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, week of October 26, 2026
- FMCSA final rule, Fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement, published September 1, 2026
- IRS Notice 2026-60, special per diem rates effective October 1, 2026
Common questions
Why is diesel so expensive in 2026?
Reporting in late October 2026 points to the conflict involving Iran restricting world energy supply, Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and tight refining capacity. The EIA U.S. average reached $6.352 a gallon on October 26, 2026, $2.63 more than a year earlier.
How much is UCR for 2027?
2027 UCR fees are $55 for 0–2 power units, $167 for 3–5, $333 for 6–20, $1,163 for 21–100, $5,548 for 101–1,000 and $54,165 for more than 1,000. Brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies with no trucks pay $55.
What is the 2026–2027 per diem rate for truck drivers?
The IRS transportation-industry rate effective October 1, 2026 is $80 a day inside the continental U.S. and $86 outside it (IRS Notice 2026-60). Drivers under DOT hours-of-service rules can deduct 80% of it.
When is the Q3 2026 IFTA return due?
The July–September 2026 IFTA return is normally due October 31. That date is a Saturday in 2026, so jurisdictions that follow the next-business-day rule accept it on Monday, November 2. Filing by October 30 avoids any doubt.