Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Diesel, Gasoline Prices Expected to Jump Less This Year

The outlook for national average on-highway diesel prices is for them to be higher this year and in 2019 than they were last year and in 2016, but they should at least be fairly stable during this time, according to the latest Short Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Department.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
Read Evan's Posts
January 9, 2018
Diesel, Gasoline Prices Expected to Jump Less This Year

U.S. crude oil production is projected to hit record highs, but that won't stop diesel prices from rising. Photo: ConocoPhillips

3 min to read


U.S. crude oil production is projected to hit record highs, but that won't stop diesel prices from rising. Photo: ConocoPhillips

A federal outlook for national average on-highway diesel prices predicts they will be higher this year and in 2019 than they were last year and in 2016, but they should at least be fairly stable during this time, according to the latest Short Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Department.

It projects that trucking’s primary fuel will average $2.95 per gallon in 2018 and bump slightly higher to $3.01 per gallon in 2019. While that’s an expected 11.2% hike for this year over last, it would represent just a 2% increase in 2019 over 2018. However, it’s less than the 14.8% jump in the average diesel price in 2017 over 2016.

Ad Loading...

The currently weekly average in the U.S. for on-highway diesel is just under $3 per gallon. It is expected to average $2.97 in the first quarter of 2018 before dropping to $2.89 in the second quarter. The third quarter average is expected to rise to $2.94 before finishing up at $3 per gallon in the fourth quarter.

The quarterly average range for diesel in 2019 is expected to range from a low of $2.96 in the first quarter to a high of $3.08 in the fourth quarter.

The trend for gasoline is similar, but at lesser prices and with smaller hikes. Regular grade is expected to average $2.57 per gallon in 2018 and $2.58 per gallon in 2019. If such an increase happens this year, this would represent a 6.3% increase over 2017 and just a 0.4% gain in 2019 over 2018, far less than the 12.4% jump seen last year when compared to 2016.

Driving the price of both fuel higher will be slightly increased crude oil prices. Benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $64 per barrel in December, an almost $2 per barrel increase from the November average and the highest monthly average since November 2014. Brent crude oil prices averaged $54 per barrel in 2017 and are forecast to average $60 per barrel in 2018 and $61 per barrel in 2019. West Texas Intermediate crude oil spot prices are forecast to average $4 per barrel less than Brent prices in both 2018 and 2019.

The report also noted the slight increase in fuel and oil prices is expected as U.S. crude oil production is expected to keep moving higher.

Ad Loading...

The U.S. produced an estimated 9.3 million barrels per day in 2017, with an estimated average of 9.9 million barrels per day in December. U.S. crude oil production is forecast to increase to an average 10.3 million barrels per day in 2018, which would mark the highest annual average production in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 9.6 million barrels per day set in 1970.

The Energy Department has forecast production to increase to an average of 10.8 million per day in 2019 and to surpass 11 million barrels per day in November 2019.

Despite the increased production, one reason fuel prices likely won’t be moving lower this year or next is that worldwide consumption of petroleum and other liquid fuels grew by 1.4 million barrels per day in 2017, reaching an average of 98.4 million barrel per days for the year.

Although the rate of consumption growth slowed in 2017 compared with 2016, the department said it expects that worldwide consumption growth will average 1.7 million barrels per day in 2018 and almost 1.7 million barrels per day in 2019, driven by the countries in mainly in Asia, Africa and South America, while global oil inventories will rise just a fraction after falling slightly in 2017.

More Fleet Management

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →