(WKYT) – Diesel fuel prices are reaching record highs as the war with Iran continues.
The average price for diesel in Kentucky is $6.35, according to AAA. This week, the price hit $6.38, the highest ever recorded, according to AAA.
The trucking industry relies heavily on diesel fuel to transport goods across the country.
Truckers feel the cost
Kenneth Howard, owner-operator and truck driver, said on Friday he paid $860 for 130 gallons of diesel fuel for his 300-gallon tank.
Howard is a one-million-mile safe driver who has driven routes across the country since 1992. He said these are some of the highest prices he has seen.
“They talk about wanting to go on strike, but people have to make their house payments and everything and it’s not going to accomplish anything cause there’s no spokesperson and everybody’s a different group,” Howard said.
Howard is part of the owner-operator group, meaning he works for himself. He said this lets him accept only freights where he knows the profit will cover the diesel increase. He said the situation is different for contract drivers.
“You’ve got a lot of contract freight out there, so they’re going to continue to honor that contract a lot of the time. They may have a fuel surcharge provision in there but still they have to bear that cost until they get paid for making those movements,” said Rick Taylor, president and CEO of the Kentucky Trucking Association.
Winter increase expected
Taylor said the industry is still regulating itself after the supply-chain-to-driver ratio following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Howard said fuel surcharges help, but a wintertime increase is on the horizon.
“So the refineries will be converting over to the winter blend and this time of year is about the time that the prices go up,” Howard said.
Howard said many truckers are skipping lower-paying freights, and those costs may be passed to shoppers.
“It’s hurting everybody and i want to see lower prices as much as anyone else but i think everyone can get through it,” Howard said.
