Gulf Coast diesel opens a $1.86 gap on California

The week's story is divergence — at the pump, in the rate indexes, and in who's still standing.

**The fuel spread is the story.** EIA's Monday survey put Gulf Coast diesel at $5.360 a gallon against California's $7.218 — $1.86 apart, or about $279 on a 150-gallon fill. The national average slipped to $5.599, down 0.9% on the week but still 49.9% higher than a year ago. Gulf Coast fell fastest, off 2.2%, while California climbed 2.5%. If your lanes let you tank up in PADD 3, this is the week the geography pays.

**Rates are climbing, and that's worth saying plainly.** BLS's producer price indexes have dry van truckload up 1.9% in August and 13.9% over the year; less-than-truckload rose 4.5% on the month and 14.3% on the year. The revenue side is rising while diesel sits flat-to-down — that is margin moving the right way.

**A Midwest state cleared heavier harvest loads.** Land Line reports an exemption letting drivers haul certain ag products above the usual weight limits to speed this year's harvest. If you're pulling grain or produce in that corridor, it's capacity you can bill for now, not next quarter.

**Sparhawk Trucking is winding down.** Trucking Dive reports the carrier is shutting down after failing to find a buyer, with dozens of company drivers and owner-operators notified. Capacity leaving the market is part of what holds those rate gains up — cold comfort to the drivers now looking for a seat.

**Trucking's lobby is pressing Congress before recess.** Transport Topics reports advocates pushing to repeal the federal excise tax on new heavy trucks and to tighten cargo-theft oversight before lawmakers leave Washington. If the excise repeal moves, your next truck gets cheaper — worth a call to your association if you buy iron.