News roundup, Feb. 6: Diesel prices hit two-year low; EFS fuel cards back online; new Love’s in Kansas

Updated Feb 7, 2020

Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020:

Diesel prices hit two-year low
The national average price of diesel fell to its lowest mark since the end of 2017, according to the latest numbers from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.

During the week ending Feb. 3, the U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel was $2.956, the lowest since the week ending Dec. 25, 2017. During the most recent week, prices fell 5.4 cents from $3.01 per gallon.

So far in 2020, the national average for diesel has fallen more than 12 cents from $3.079 per gallon during the week ending Jan. 6 to the current $2.956 average.

During the most recent week, the most significant decrease was seen in the Gulf Coast region, where prices fell by 6.3 cents, followed by the Midwest region, where prices fell by 6.2 cents.

The nation’s cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $2.71 per gallon, followed by the Midwest region at $2.839 per gallon. The most expensive diesel can be found in California at $3.812 per gallon, followed by the Central Atlantic region at $3.18 per gallon.

Prices in other regions, according to DOE, are:

  • New England – $3.105
  • Lower Atlantic – $2.863
  • Rocky Mountain – $2.944
  • West Coast less California – $3.146

EFS, Fleet One fuel cards back online after outage
A fuel card outage Wednesday that affected EFS and Fleet One cards left some truck drivers without fuel, according to social media reports from drivers. WEX, the parent company of EFS and Fleet One fuel cards, among others, confirmed the outage and apologized for the inconvenience it caused.

“We are authorizing transactions and working directly with our customers to resolve any outstanding issues,” said Rob Gould, director of public relations for WEX. “We extend our sincerest apologies to all of our customers for any inconvenience.”

WEX did not provide additional information as to what caused the outage.

New Love’s opens in Kansas
Love’s Travel Stops opened a new location in Topeka, Kansas, this week off of U.S. Highway 75, north of I-70. The new truck stop offers 75 truck parking spaces; Chester’s Chicken, Godfather’s Pizza and Subway restaurants; six diesel lanes; laundry facilities; and more.

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The store, located at 1811 NW Brickyard Road in Topeka, is the company’s 26th in Kansas.

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