The U.S. average price for on-highway diesel rose 9.7 cents to $6.276 per gallon for the week of October 19, 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Diesel rose in every region, and the West Coast rose the most. If your freight contracts include a fuel surcharge tied to a weekly diesel price, this week’s increase will show up on your invoices.
Diesel prices by region, October 19, 2026
These are EIA’s weekly on-highway diesel averages in dollars per gallon, including all taxes.
| EIA region | Price | Change vs. last week | Example LIWMI markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $6.276 | +$0.097 | All markets |
| Midwest | $6.352 | +$0.093 | Chicago, Louisville, Indianapolis |
| Gulf Coast | $5.903 | +$0.094 | San Antonio, Houston, Dallas |
| Rocky Mountain | $6.422 | +$0.120 | Denver, Salt Lake City |
| Central Atlantic | $6.508 | +$0.037 | New York / North NJ, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley |
| Lower Atlantic | $5.740 | +$0.095 | Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville |
| West Coast | $7.394 | +$0.154 | Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland |
| California | $8.242 | +$0.151 | Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, released October 20, 2026. Regions follow EIA’s diesel region map.
What changed this week
The national average moved from $6.199 on October 5 to $6.179 on October 12, then up to $6.276 on October 19. It is now $2.656 higher than a year ago.
Regular gasoline went the other way, falling 4.7 cents to $4.284. That leaves diesel nearly $2.00 a gallon above gasoline, which is why truck freight feels fuel swings harder than most of the economy.
Source: EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, October 20, 2026
Why diesel is rising
EIA’s October outlook says retail diesel averaged $6.29 per gallon in September, up from August. It credits higher crude oil prices and rising crack spreads, which measure the gap between crude oil prices and wholesale fuel prices. EIA also says distillate inventories, the category that includes diesel, are expected to stay below the 2021 to 2025 average through the forecast period.
The East Coast stands out. EIA reports distillate inventories there were 32% below their five-year seasonal average in September and expects them to stay 20% to 30% below average through the coming winter.
EIA also notes that attacks on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia highlight the potential for continued volatility in oil flows and prices.
Sources: EIA, Short-Term Energy Outlook, U.S. Petroleum Products, released October 6, 2026. EIA, Short-Term Energy Outlook, full report, October 2026.
What EIA expects next
EIA forecasts retail distillate prices will stay above $6 per gallon in October, then ease gradually as crude prices come down and inventories recover slightly. It expects retail diesel to stay above $4 per gallon through 2027, with an annual average of $5.19 in 2026 and $4.49 in 2027.
Forecasts change. EIA’s next outlook is due November 10, and the next weekly diesel price comes out Tuesday, October 27.
Sources: EIA, Short-Term Energy Outlook, U.S. Petroleum Products, released October 6, 2026. EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, next release date.
What this means for shippers
- Fuel surcharges. Many fuel surcharge schedules reference a weekly diesel price, and EIA publishes a guide to calculating diesel fuel surcharges from this data. A 9.7 cent weekly increase raises the surcharge on freight that moves under those schedules.
- West Coast lanes. The West Coast average is $1.12 per gallon above the national average, and California is $1.97 above it. Budget those lanes separately.
- Winter on the East Coast. Tight distillate inventories and winter weather are a risky pairing. Build a little more cushion into winter transit times and appointments.
The LIWMI Take
A fuel number only helps if you know how it flows into your rate. The best time to learn that is before the invoice arrives, not after.
So here is a question to ask any broker, including us: which index sets the fuel surcharge, which region does it use, and what day does it update? A straight answer tells you a lot about how a broker does business.
What shippers should do now
- Check which diesel index your fuel surcharge uses, and whether it follows the national or a regional price.
- Confirm the day each week the surcharge resets.
- Review West Coast and California lanes first, since they carry the largest increases.
- Plan extra transit time for East Coast winter shipments.
- Look at the next EIA update on Tuesday, October 27, before you finalize quotes.
Diesel and freight FAQs
When does EIA release diesel prices?
EIA publishes its Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update weekly, normally on Tuesday at about 10:00 a.m. Eastern. The prices reflect the Monday survey. The next release is October 27, 2026.
What is the national average diesel price right now?
The U.S. average on-highway diesel price was $6.276 per gallon on October 19, 2026, up 9.7 cents from the week before, according to EIA.
Why is diesel so much higher on the West Coast?
West Coast diesel averaged $7.394 per gallon on October 19, and California averaged $8.242. Both are well above the national average of $6.276.
How does the diesel price affect my freight rate?
Many freight rates include a fuel surcharge that rises and falls with a weekly diesel price. When the index goes up, the surcharge goes up on freight tendered under that schedule. Ask your broker which index and region apply to your loads.
Want a broker who explains the numbers?
Request a quote and a real person on our team will get back to you the same business day. See where we operate on our locations page, or read our guide to accessorial charges like lumper fees.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. Released October 20, 2026.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Diesel fuel regions map.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Short-Term Energy Outlook: U.S. Petroleum Products. Released October 6, 2026.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Short-Term Energy Outlook, full report. October 2026.
