ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. Diesel prices have reached record territory across the country, and frustration among truck drivers is growing as calls for drivers to park their rigs begin spreading online.
According to AAA, the national average for diesel reached $6.505 per gallon Sunday, the highest national average recorded by AAA. One year ago, diesel averaged about $3.70 per gallon.
Louisiana is also seeing record prices. AAA reported the statewide diesel average at $6.0329 per gallon Sunday, compared with about $3.31 one year ago. That is the highest diesel average AAA has recorded in Louisiana.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is reporting similar pressure. Its latest weekly survey placed diesel at $6.285 nationally and $6.027 along the Gulf Coast as of September 14.
For independent truck drivers and small trucking companies, those increases can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in additional fuel expenses every week. Unlike larger carriers, some independent drivers may not have fuel surcharges or contracts that automatically adjust enough to cover rapidly increasing diesel costs.
That pressure has led to growing conversations online among truck drivers about refusing loads, parking trucks and even calling for drivers nationwide to stop hauling freight until fuel prices come down.
One widely shared claim calls for truckers to begin parking their rigs on October 1. At this time, however, APR•St Tammany has found no verified nationwide shutdown organized by a major trucking association or union. The October 1 claim remains largely driven by social media discussion rather than a confirmed national trucking action.
The federal government is also responding to pressure on fuel transportation. On September 16, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a temporary 90 day waiver giving qualifying drivers hauling gasoline and diesel additional flexibility in their driving hours in an effort to prevent fuel supply disruptions.
Whether a nationwide shutdown actually develops remains unclear, but the financial pressure facing truck drivers is very real.
Now we want to hear directly from the people behind the wheel.
If you are a truck driver in St. Tammany Parish, anywhere in Louisiana or anywhere across the country, tell us what you are seeing.
How much are you spending on diesel each week? Are freight rates keeping up with fuel costs? Have you had to turn down loads because they would cost you money to haul? Would you actually consider parking your truck if diesel prices remain this high?
Truck drivers, drop your story in the comments below. We want to hear from you.
