Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 14, 2025:
Diesel prices hit 2025 low
The price of diesel fuel at the pump reached its lowest point of 2025, according to the latest weekly update from the Energy Information Administration.
During the week ending May 12, the national average for a gallon of on-highway diesel fell to $3.48, the lowest mark since the week ending Dec. 23, 2024, when fuel was at the same price. Over the last five weeks, fuel prices have fallen 16 cents.
The most recent week saw fuel prices fall in most regions, with increases only being seen in California, which saw a 3.2-cent increase for the nation's most expensive fuel now at $4.76/gal, and the Rocky Mountain region, where prices rose three-tenths of a cent.
The largest decreases were seen in the Lower Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions, 4 cents and 3.1 cents respectively.
The nation’s cheapest diesel is in the Gulf Coast region at $3.14/gallon, followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $3.41/gal. California's most-expensive standing is followed by New England at $3.88/gal.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- Central Atlantic -- $3.78
- Midwest -- $3.42
- Rocky Mountain -- $3.46
- West Coast less California -- $3.74
ProMiles’ diesel averages during the same week showed prices falling 2.3 cents to $3.48/gal. According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.88, the cheapest in the Gulf Coast region at $3.15.
Colorado bill to allow roadside chain-assistance companies heads to governor’s desk
The Colorado legislature has approved a bill that, if signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, would allow private companies to install or remove tire chains at designated roadside locations.
The bill -- SB25-069 -- passed the state’s Senate with a 33-2 vote, with the state’s House approving the bill with a 54-11 vote.
If signed into law, companies will be allowed to obtain a permit from the Colorado Department of Transportation that allows the permit holder to, for a fee, install or remove tire chains or alternate traction devices at a location designated in the permit. CDOT can place conditions on the permit concerning the safe and orderly movement of traffic. CDOT is also instructed to avoid monopoly-type situations at specific locations.
The bill is intended to improve compliance with new chain laws signed into law last year in the state. That law, which took effect Aug. 7, 2024, requires all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 16,000 pounds from Sept. 1 to May 31 to carry four snow chains or adequate alternate traction devices on their trucks if they are using any of the following roads:
- I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison)
- Colorado Hwy 9 milepost 63 to milepost 97 (Frisco to Fairplay)
- Route 40 west of milepost 256 (Empire)
- US Route 50 west of milepost 225 (Salida)
- US Route 160 west of milepost 250 (Morrison)
- US Route 550 from milepost 0 to 130 (State line south of Durango to Montrose)
The law also bars trucks from using the left lane in the following areas:
- Glenwood Canyon
- Dowd Junction (The curvy section of I-70 between Avon and Vail)
- The west side of Vail Pass
- The tunnel grade on both sides of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels
- Georgetown Hill
- Floyd Hill
