Trucker Tales: Diesel at $6.35, Holiday Rates Climb, and a Fraud Warning (Oct 28, 2026)

⛽ Diesel at $6.35: Your Fuel Bill Is Up About 74% in a Year

The Associated Press reports diesel was $6.35 a gallon on Oct. 27, roughly 74% higher than a year ago and just shy of the $6.53 all-time high from late September. Brent crude sat at $110.24 a barrel and U.S. crude at $101.10. The Federal Reserve raised rates last month for the first time in three years, and the squeeze lands hardest on small operators who can't spread fuel risk across a big network. Owner-operators should check fuel surcharge language and track cost per mile weekly; dealers should expect buyers to ask hard questions about fuel economy.

🎄 Holiday Freight Is Getting Expensive, and Diesel Is Why

Land Line reports the Q4 2026 TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index points to truckload rates at their highest since Q1 2022, with LTL potentially topping 80% above the January 2018 baseline for the first time. AFS Logistics CEO Andy Dyer expects fuel to drive elevated costs for the foreseeable future. FedEx moved more than 2,500 ZIP codes into its priciest delivery-area surcharge tier, and shippers are shifting some freight to rail, with Union Pacific intermodal volume up 13%. Price your loads with today's diesel, not last quarter's.

🇲🇽 Mexico's Truckers Strike Ends in Talks, Not Resolution

FreightWaves reports that after a nationwide strike disrupted highways in 19 states, CANACAR and other Mexican trucking groups agreed to four high-level working sessions with the Interior Ministry on highway security, infrastructure, tax incentives and regulations. The grievances: cargo theft, violent robberies, extortion and rising costs. Segob counted 38 protest locations; CANACAR said protests reached all 32 states. The groups haven't confirmed every demonstration has ended, so cross-border haulers should confirm lanes before dispatch.

🛡️ Knight-Swift Cut Its Broker Carrier Pool 70%

At the WEX OTR Summit, Knight-Swift CEO Adam Miller said the company has shrunk its approved brokerage carrier pool about 70% in roughly two years and now requires a year of operating history. He cited the Supreme Court's Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling and warned brokers may pay "multiples" of current premiums for the same insurance limits. He argued stricter vetting and CDL enforcement could tighten capacity and support a steadier recovery, possibly into 2027. Clean-record operators with a year under their belt may benefit; brand-new authorities may find doors closing.

🕵️ Freight Fraud: A Valid MC Number Doesn't Mean a Legit Business

FreightWaves rounds up cases including a charged cargo theft conspiracy exceeding $12 million across at least 24 shipments, a $2.1 million identity theft guilty plea by a California trucking owner, a $10 million Chicago-area copper and liquor fraud, and a fake New Jersey broker who redirected a $273,000 seafood load. The takeaway: verify who is tendering the load, guard your credentials, and report impersonation fast.

🚧 Northeast States Revisit Speed Limits

Land Line reports New Hampshire's HB135 would raise I-93 from 65 to 70 mph, New Jersey's S2497 would apply the 85th-percentile rule on limited-access highways, and two New York bills would raise limits from 65 to 70 mph where state DOT deems it safe. OOIDA doesn't back a specific number but favors one speed for all vehicles. Higher speeds also mean higher fuel burn at today's prices.

📦 UPS Raises Outlook, Expects Lower Q4 U.S. Volume

UPS reported Q3 revenue up 6.7% to $22.9 billion and U.S. Domestic operating profit up 50.3% to $906 million. It expects lower U.S. daily volume in Q4 year over year after finishing its Amazon cutback, with holiday online retail forecast up about 9% and peak customers projecting 25% sequential growth. UPS says it will add variable capacity where needed, so final mile drivers and van dealers should watch for peak-season demand.

Sources: Transport Topics (AP), Land Line, and FreightWaves, all October 27, 2026. Full links and details in today's newsletter.