The U.S. average price for on-highway diesel rose 7.6 cents to $6.352 per gallon for the week of October 26, 2026, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). It is the second weekly increase in a row. The Midwest and the Southeast rose the most, while the West Coast and California edged down but remain the most expensive regions by far.
Diesel prices by region, October 26, 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 | $6.352 | +$0.076 | All markets |
| Midwest | $6.480 | +$0.128 | Chicago, Louisville, Indianapolis |
| Gulf Coast | $5.951 | +$0.048 | San Antonio, Houston, Dallas |
| Rocky Mountain | $6.521 | +$0.099 | Denver, Salt Lake City |
| Central Atlantic | $6.496 | -$0.012 | New York / North NJ, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley |
| Lower Atlantic | $5.890 | +$0.150 | Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville |
| West Coast | $7.329 | -$0.065 | Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland |
| California | $8.155 | -$0.087 | Los Angeles, San Diego, Inland Empire |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, released October 27, 2026. Regions follow EIA’s diesel region map.
What changed this week
The national average has moved from $6.179 on October 12 to $6.276 on October 19 and now $6.352 on October 26. It is $2.634 higher than a year ago.
The Lower Atlantic had the biggest weekly jump at 15.0 cents, followed by the Midwest at 12.8 cents and the Rocky Mountain region at 9.9 cents. Prices slipped in New England, the Central Atlantic, and on the West Coast. Even so, the West Coast average is still $0.98 above the national average, and California is $1.80 above it.
Regular gasoline fell 1.5 cents to $4.269, so diesel now sits about $2.08 a gallon above gasoline.
Source: EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, October 27, 2026
What goes into a gallon of diesel
EIA’s May 2026 breakdown of a $5.60 gallon of diesel shows where the money goes: crude oil 42%, refining 25%, distribution and marketing 23%, and taxes 11%. That is why diesel can climb even when crude oil is steady. Refining margins, known as crack spreads, and distribution costs move the price too.
Source: EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, “What we pay for in a gallon of diesel,” May 2026
What EIA expects next
EIA’s most recent outlook, released October 6, forecasts retail distillate prices will stay above $6 per gallon in October and then come down gradually as crude prices ease and inventories recover slightly. It expects retail diesel to stay above $4 per gallon through 2027. It also expects East Coast distillate inventories to stay 20% to 30% below the five-year average through the coming winter.
The next EIA outlook is due November 10, and the next weekly diesel price comes out Tuesday, November 3.
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
- Midwest and Southeast lanes. These regions saw the largest increases this week. Freight moving under a regional fuel surcharge will see that jump on the next invoice.
- West Coast lanes. A small dip is welcome, but fuel there is still well above every other region. Keep budgeting those lanes separately.
- Quotes that sit for days. Diesel changes every week. If a quote doesn’t say which price it was based on, ask.
The LIWMI Take
Last week we suggested asking your broker which index sets the fuel surcharge. This week’s numbers show why it matters. The national average rose, but prices in New England, the Central Atlantic, and on the West Coast did not follow it. A surcharge tied to the national average and one tied to your region can move in different directions in the same week.
So ask for the region, the index, and the reset day in writing. It takes one email and it saves a lot of invoice arguments.
What shippers should do now
- Confirm whether your fuel surcharge follows the national average or a regional price.
- Check the date of the diesel price used on any quote you are about to accept.
- Review Midwest and Southeast lanes for the larger increases.
- Keep West Coast and California lanes in their own budget line.
- Watch the next EIA update on Tuesday, November 3, before you finalize quotes.
Diesel and freight FAQs
Did diesel prices go up or down this week?
Diesel went up. EIA’s U.S. average on-highway diesel price was $6.352 per gallon on October 26, 2026, up 7.6 cents from the week before.
Which region has the highest diesel price?
California has the highest diesel price in EIA’s weekly survey at $8.155 per gallon on October 26, 2026. The West Coast as a whole averages $7.329.
How much of the price of diesel is crude oil?
In EIA’s May 2026 breakdown of the retail price of diesel, crude oil made up 42%. Refining was 25%, distribution and marketing 23%, and taxes 11%.
When is the next EIA diesel price update?
The next EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, normally at about 10:00 a.m. Eastern.
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. Missed last week? Read our October 20 market update, or see where we operate on our locations page.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update. Released October 27, 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.
