According to the OOIDA Foundation, the association’s research and education branch, “most researchers don’t have access to enough owner-operators to properly collect and analyze information from this critical segment of the trucking industry.” To address this gap, the Foundation has actively engaged members since 1998, ensuring that their opinions reach federal, state, and local agencies. This ongoing effort has produced one of the most detailed profiles of owner-operators in the United States.

The 2025 OOIDA survey is now open and can be completed anonymously online. “We want to make sure that we are focusing on the issues that you desire,” the Foundation said. “It’s important to us that we support both your business and lifestyle. We need to know what you think on critical topics so we can direct our energies appropriately.”

Key Findings from the 2024 Member Survey

Last year, more than 19,000 owner-operator members participated in a random sample survey. Among respondents, 46 percent reported being leased to motor carriers, while 44 percent operated under their own authority. On average, drivers covered over 102,000 miles, with roughly 20 percent of those miles being deadhead, often due to challenging market conditions.

Surveyed operators reported annual maintenance costs averaging $18,900, including $3,400 spent on emission-related repairs and $3,300 for damage caused by poor road conditions. Independent operators typically spent more on tires compared with those leased to carriers. Maintenance costs per mile rose to 23 cents.

Freight rates, availability, and carrier reputation were the most important factors influencing leased owner-operators when selecting work. High driver turnover was largely attributed to low pay, a lack of respect, and inconsistent freight. In fact, 40 percent of leased drivers reported working for five or more carriers in the past year.

Challenges Facing One-Truck Operators

Research focused on one-truck operations, which make up nearly half of all motor carriers. These operators face unique hurdles in securing consistent freight and navigating complex regulatory requirements. While direct contracts generally provide higher earnings, most one-truck carriers rely heavily on brokers and load boards.

Many drivers also noted difficulties contesting inaccurate safety violations through the DataQ system. Insurance, permits, and other regulatory fees remain significant concerns, alongside rising fuel costs, declining freight rates, and parking shortages.

OOIDA’s research underscores the importance of listening to owner-operators and addressing the practical challenges they face daily. By capturing and analyzing these insights, the Foundation ensures that small-business truckers have representation and support that reflects both their business and lifestyle needs.

Source: Land Lined Media

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• National Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Smoky Mountains
• Major Beach Towns such as Myrtle Beach, Destin, Gulf Shores, and anywhere along I-95
• Theme Park Hubs in Central Florida (Orlando), Southern California, and parts of Texas
• Tour-heavy Cities like Nashville, Charleston, Savannah, and Denver

Tourist traffic tends to spike midday and early evening — unlike commuter-heavy metro areas that peak in the morning and evening rush.

Driver tip: If you’re running loads near one of these zones, shift your driving time to avoid peak tourist hours (usually 10 a.m.–6 p.m.). Use apps like Waze or Trucker Path to track congestion in real-time.

Rest Areas and Parking Fill Up Fast

One of the biggest challenges for truckers in summer? Parking.

Tourist hotspots pull in more RVs, vans, and cars — and they often spill into truck parking zones, especially in rest areas or at mixed-use stops like Love’s or Pilot Flying J.

Data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) continues to show that truck parking is most limited during summer months, especially along I-70, I-40, and I-95 corridors.

Driver tip: Plan parking two to three hours ahead. Don’t count on open or available rest areas after 5 p.m. Look for smaller independent truck stops just off the interstate or check availability with real-time apps.

Expect More Unpredictable Driving Behavior

Tourists don’t know the roads — and that lack of familiarity leads to last-second lane changes, slow merges, missed exits, and distracted driving.

The increased presence of:

• Rental cars
• RV drivers with no CDL experience
• Out-of-state vehicles following GPS without much awareness

It’s a cocktail for unpredictability.

Driver tip: Increase your following distance around heavily out-of-state plated vehicles, especially near tourist exits or scenic areas. Stay patient — even if it costs you a few minutes, it’s better than being involved in an incident that could’ve been avoided.

Hazards Around National Parks and Scenic Routes

If your routes take you near national parks or scenic drives (like Colorado’s I-70 or California’s Route 1), you’ll likely encounter:

• Wildlife crossings (deer, elk, even bison)
• Slow-moving vehicles pulled over at scenic lookouts
• Bicyclists or hikers near the shoulder

Driver tip: Avoid scenic routes whenever possible during high tourism months. If you must drive through them, take it slow and turn your lights on even during the day to boost visibility.

Higher Fuel Prices and Slower Turnaround Times

Fuel prices typically rise in the summer due to higher demand and seasonal blend requirements. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), diesel prices trend upward from June to August — and that can eat into margins for owner-operators.

Tourist congestion also increases your dwell time at shippers and receivers near busy areas. Think port cities, resort towns, or urban centers like Denver and Orlando.

Driver tip: Pad your estimated arrival time and check fuel prices along your route before hitting the road. Use apps like Mudflap or GasBuddy for price comparisons, especially in tourist-heavy zones.

Bottom Line: Plan, Stay Alert, and Protect Your Clock

Summer brings a different kind of road dynamic. For truck drivers, the key isn’t just avoiding traffic — navigating around behaviors and conditions you don’t deal with the rest of the year.

The post How Truck Drivers Can Navigate Tourist Hotspots and Traffic This Summer appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

AAA forecasts that 45.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22, and Monday, May 26. Most of those travelers—an estimated 39.4 million—will be on the road. That’s 1 million more drivers than last year, and it sets a new Memorial Day travel record, beating the 44 million benchmark set in 2005.

Despite inflation and rising everyday costs, Americans are still making time to connect with family and friends this holiday.

“Memorial Day weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant and costly,” explained Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “While some travelers embark on dream vacations and fly hundreds of miles across the country, many families just pack up the car and drive to the beach or take a road trip to visit friends. Long holiday weekends are ideal for travel because many people have an extra day off work and students are off from school.”

Driving remains the go-to travel choice, with roughly 87% of travelers choosing the road over other transportation methods.

Truckers may find some relief at the pump this year. While the average price for regular gas was $3.59 per gallon last Memorial Day, this year’s prices are less volatile thanks to lower crude oil costs. Still, with Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer, fuel demand is expected to climb, which could push prices up slightly in the coming weeks.

Source: Truckers News

With so many people on the move, drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, avoid peak traffic hours, and expect heavier congestion in popular travel corridors. Whether hauling freight or headed out for delivery, it’ll be essential for truckers to stay patient and alert during one of the year’s busiest travel weekends.

Source: Truckers News

The post Record Number of Road Travelers Expected This Memorial Day Weekend—What Truck Drivers Should Know appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

February fuel reports indicated a significant surge in diesel prices across the United States. A notable 5.1-cent increase was reported in the national fuel average, now standing at $3.917 per gallon, nearly $4.

This data was compiled by ProMiles. ProMiles produces a report similar to the federal Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly publication, differing primarily in the type and number of fueling stations used for calculating averages. ProMiles utilizes a direct feed from numerous truck stops, while the EIA surveys 400 truck stops and convenience stores nationwide.

The Midwest region experienced the most substantial increase, rising by 8.8 cents, followed by the Rocky Mountain region with just under a 6-cent increase. The California and West Coast regions saw jumps of approximately 5 cents. According to ProMiles.com, the average U.S. diesel price per gallon on Feb. 12 was $3.917.

AAA reported a retail average U.S. diesel price of $4.004 per gallon on the same day, marking an increase from $3.934 per gallon a week prior. A month ago, the diesel price was $3.935, and a year ago, it was $4.549 per gallon. The highest recorded retail average U.S. diesel price was $5.816 per gallon on June 19, 2022.

In contrast, EIA’s report showed a national diesel price increase of 21 cents, reaching $4.109 per gallon.

Despite the rise, this national average was 33.5 cents less than it was one year ago. Notable increases of 21 cents were observed in the West Coast (excluding California) and Lower Atlantic regions.

The West Coast and Gulf Coast experienced a 17-cent and just over 16-cent increase, respectively, while New England reflected the least change with a 2.6-cent increase. Staying informed about these fluctuations is crucial for truck drivers to navigate their operations effectively amid changing fuel costs.

Source: Land Line

The post National Fuel Prices See Huge Jump to Almost $4 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Based on the most recent data provided by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel is currently $3.867. This marks an increase from the previous average of $3.838 per gallon reported on January 22.

Regional variations depict a mixed scenario across the country. On the East Coast, the average diesel price has surpassed $4 for the first time since January 1, registering at $4.043 per gallon compared to $3.979 on January 22.

California holds the record for the highest average diesel price at $5.078 per gallon, albeit experiencing a slight decrease from the previous average of $5.092 on January 22.

In contrast, the Gulf Coast boasts the most budget-friendly diesel prices in the nation, averaging at $3.644 per gallon. This represents a slight decrease from the January 22 average of $3.684 per gallon.

Meanwhile, the West Coast (excluding California) has seen a resurgence in diesel prices, rising above $4 per gallon once more. The current average stands at $4.011, up from $3.992 on January 22.

In the Rocky Mountain Region, prices show a unique twist, down by .051 from the previous week. The average diesel price in this region has decreased by 1.097 from this time last year, marking the most substantial decrease among all regions.

On average, diesel prices across all regions are down by 0.755 from this time last year.

These fluctuations in diesel prices underscore the dynamic nature of the fuel market, prompting drivers and businesses to stay vigilant in monitoring and adapting to the evolving cost landscape.

Source: The Trucker

The post Diesel Prices Once Again Start Upward Trend appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“I would hope 2024 will be a gentler year for diesel,” said Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy head of petroleum analysis.

The U.S. on-highway retail diesel price average commenced the year at $3.876 per gallon, a noticeable decrease from the 2023 starting price of $4.583 per gallon. Last year witnessed fluctuations in the national average, hitting a low of $3.794 in July and a high of $4.633 in September.

American Trucking Associations Chief Economist, Bob Costello, predicts minimal movement in diesel prices this year, drawing parallels to December 2023 when the national on-highway average consistently remained around or below the $4-per-gallon mark.

In 2023, industry observers closely monitored the actions of the Federal Reserve and OPEC oil ministers. However, analysts suggest that OPEC faces a more challenging task in 2024 as its members strive to balance revenue needs for their oil-dependent economies through output cuts while retaining market share amid record U.S. crude production.

Wood Mackenzie, a business intelligence firm, anticipates the average benchmark Brent crude to be $88 per barrel in 2024, compared to $83 per barrel in 2023. West Texas Intermediate crude is expected to average $83 per barrel, up from $78 per barrel in 2023, according to Vice President of Refining, Chemicals & Oil Markets Alan Gelder.

Bank of America’s Francisco Blanch forecasts Brent and WTI prices to average $90 per barrel and $86 per barrel, respectively, as the OPEC+ alliance pledges an additional 500,000 barrels per day of production cuts.

While Brent’s 2023 low was $71.84 a barrel in June, peaking at $96.55 per barrel in late September, industry experts remain optimistic. Despite fluctuations, analysts project a balanced market in the first half of 2024, with ING forecasting a small surplus in the second quarter.

BOA’s Blanch notes that global oil demand grew by 2.1 million barrels per day year-over-year in 2023, and it is expected to grow by 1.1 million barrels per day in 2024, benefiting from the conclusion of the U.S. monetary tightening cycle and increased supply in non-OPEC+ nations.

As a result, OPEC’s production cuts are expected to be reversed, and with rising oil demand, global diesel production is poised to increase in the coming year. This positive outlook indicates a more predictable and potentially more affordable fuel landscape for motor carriers in 2024.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Diesel and Fuel Prices to Get Steady and Stay That Way in 2024 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Additional refinery capacity that came online in late 2022, combined with additional capacity expansions expected to come online in 2023, will also contribute to rising supplies of both gasoline and diesel fuel internationally, further contributing to lower prices globally in 2023 and 2024,” according to the EIA). “We also estimate that U.S. refiners will continue to produce gasoline, even as prices decrease, to meet higher global demand for diesel fuel.”.

According to concrete data, number 2 diesel concluded 2023 with an average price of $3.972 per gallon. In January 2022, prices hovered around $3.724 per gallon, reaching a peak of $5.754 in June 2022 and starting 2023 at $4.576.

While diesel prices at the pump align with the EIA’s projections, the cost remains nearly double the $1.998 recorded in February 2016. If the federal agency’s forecast holds, truck diesel is anticipated to slightly decrease to approximately $3.70 per gallon in 2024.

Despite the usual correlation between diesel and passenger vehicle fuel costs, the two appear somewhat out of sync. Diesel experienced fluctuations, dropping to $3.802 in June 2023 before rising to $4.563 in September. Industry observers, including GasBuddy, express optimism that prices will decrease and stabilize.

However, the ongoing crisis in the oil-rich Middle East introduces an element of uncertainty that could impact truck transportation costs.

“After 13 straight weeks of decline, average gasoline prices have edged higher due to optimistic comments from the Fed on cutting interest rates in 2024, coupled with Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, boosting concerns of a disruption to global shipping, including oil shipments,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “For now, the price of gasoline has already jumped but could ease slightly this week ahead of the New Year. For now, I’m optimistic that we may still have a chance of seeing the first $2.99 national average since 2021 sometime before spring arrives.”

The U.S. achieved another record high for crude oil production at 13.3 million barrels per day. In the prior administration, such production records led to the nation becoming a net exporter, often associated with the concept of “energy independence” and low gasoline and diesel prices. If these metrics persist, barring further energy disruptions, truckers may experience some relief in the months ahead.

Source: TruckersReport

The post Diesel Prices Could Remain Low Throughout 2024, EIA and GasBuddy Report appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Notable changes include an 8.6-cent increase in the Lower Atlantic, a 5.3-cent rise in the East Coast, and a 3.9-cent climb in the Gulf Coast for trucking’s primary fuel. However, California bucked the trend with the most significant price drop, slipping by 2.9 cents to $5.202 per gallon, maintaining its status as the sole region where diesel prices remain above $5 a gallon.

While this week’s increase interrupts eight consecutive weeks of declining national diesel prices, it’s essential to note that the current national average still sits at a level 62.3 cents per gallon lower than the same period last year.

In tandem with the diesel price fluctuations, gasoline prices experienced an uptick in seven of the ten regions and at the national level. Gasoline prices increased by 6.3 cents per gallon, reaching a national average of $3.116. As we navigate these shifts in fuel prices, truckers are advised to stay vigilant and adapt to the evolving market dynamics for optimal operational planning.

While the recent uptick in diesel and gasoline prices signals a shift in the market, the broader context emphasizes the need for truckers to stay informed and agile in response to the evolving fuel landscape. As the industry adapts to these fluctuations, proactive planning and a keen awareness of market dynamics will be integral to ensuring operational efficiency in the new year.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Diesel and Gasoline Prices Back on the Uptick Across Most of the U.S. appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Key Points

1. Regional Price Movements:
   • Two additional regions have now dipped below the $4 mark, with the East Coast reaching $3.969 and the Rocky Mountain region at $3.933.
   • The West Coast, particularly in California, remains at the higher end of the national average range, with prices at $4.655 and $5.231, respectively.
   • All 10 regions experienced declines over the past week, with the West Coast-less-California region leading the decrease with a drop of 15.7 cents.
2. Gasoline Price Movement:
   • Gasoline prices are also on the decline, with an 8.3-cent drop bringing the national average to $3.053 per gallon.
   • Four of the 10 regions now have a sub-$3 average price, with the Gulf Coast leading the way at $2.547 per gallon.

While some regions continue to experience higher prices, the overall trend of declining fuel costs is welcomed news for truckers and consumers alike. The sustained decrease in diesel and gasoline prices reflects a positive economic outlook as we approach the close of the year.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Diesel Prices Continue Decline for Eighth Consecutive Week: Hits 5-Month Low appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

ProMiles and the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) both produce weekly reports, but a key distinction lies in their methodologies for calculating averages. While ProMiles directly sources data from thousands of truck stops, the EIA relies on surveys from 400 truck stops and convenience stores across the nation. Despite this difference, both reports offer the average diesel price for the preceding week.

Regionally, all areas experienced a decrease, with the Midwest witnessing the most substantial decline of 10.1 cents. The Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, West Coast without California, West Coast, and California regions all saw decreases ranging from 7 to 8.2 cents.

As of Nov. 27, the average U.S. price for a gallon of diesel reported by ProMiles.com was $4.195, reflecting a 7-cent decrease. Notable regional averages include the Midwest at $4.119 (down 10.1 cents), the Gulf Coast at $3.804 (down 8.1 cents), and the West Coast at $5.158 (down 7 cents).

AAA’s report on the same day noted a retail average U.S. diesel price of $4.229, down from $4.283 per gallon the previous week. Comparatively, a month ago, AAA reported $4.497 per gallon, and a year ago, the price was $5.228 per gallon. The highest recorded retail average U.S. diesel price was $5.816 per gallon on June 19, 2022.

EIA’s report showed a national decrease of 6.3 cents, bringing the diesel price to $4.146 per gallon. This marks a significant drop from the previous year, with the national average for the week being 99.5 cents less than it was one year ago. Regional variations include a 9.2-cent drop in the Midwest, an 8.1-cent decline in the West Coast less California region, and a 7.2-cent decrease in the West Coast region. The Central Atlantic saw the smallest change, with a drop of less than 1 cent in fuel pricing.

Source: Land Line

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