Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023:
Diesel price changes varied across U.S.
Owner-operators across the U.S. likely saw mixed fuel-cost results during the week ending Oct. 2. According to the Energy Information Administration, some regions across the country saw increases, while others saw prices fall.
Overall, the national average for a gallon of on-highway diesel increased by 0.7 cents and remained at $4.59.
Across the country, truck owners in California experienced a 6.1-cent hike on average to $6.27 per gallon. The rest of the West Coast saw prices going the other direction with a 3.9-cent decline to $5.19 per gallon.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- New England -- $4.61
- Central Atlantic -- $4.76
- Lower Atlantic -- $4.46
- Midwest -- $4.45
- Gulf Coast -- $4.28
- Rocky Mountain -- $4.78
ProMiles’ diesel averages during the most recent week showed a 2.6-cent decrease to $4.52 a gallon nationwide.
According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $6.32 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $4.22 per gallon.
[Related: How bad has owner-operator income loss been this cycle?]
Interstate Health opens new clinic in Wisconsin
Interstate Health has announced the opening of a new urgent and primary care clinic located in the Petro truck stop in Racine, Wisconsin, at Exit 333 off I-94, just south of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and due north of Chicago.
The clinic will serve commercial drivers who frequent the Racine Petro, as well as local communities and travelers in need of quality health care services.
“We are thrilled to open our new clinic in the Racine Petro, a premier truck stop that not only serves commercial drivers, but also is a landmark for the Villages of Sturtevant, Mount Pleasant and Yorkville,” said Jeff Seraphine, Interstate Health CEO. “Our mission is to ensure access to quality health care for people who frequent America’s highways.”
Interstate Health Racine is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time and offers primary care, urgent care and occupational health services. This includes Department of Transportation and pre-employment physicals, preventive care and wellness visits, vaccines, medication management and more.
Interstate Health launched in November 2022 with significant backing by veteran transportation and logistics executives. Since launching, the company has acquired a clinic in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it broke ground on a clinic in Port Wentworth, Georgia, which is expected to open later this month.
[Related: New trucker-focused urgent care, telehealth service launching]
FleetPride acquires Raney’s Truck Center
Aftermarket truck parts and service provider FleetPride announced it recently acquired Raney's Truck Center in Ocala, Florida. This acquisition marks a further expansion of FleetPride's footprint in Florida and underscores its commitment to providing parts and service to customers nationwide, the company said.
The addition of Raney's, well-known for its comprehensive range of parts and service for truck and trailer, perfectly complements FleetPride's mission, the company said. "We are delighted to welcome the Raney's Truck Center team to the FleetPride family,” said Mike Harris, FleetPride president of parts and service. “As we continue expanding our footprint to support customers where they need us, we remain committed to maintaining the exceptional service and support that FleetPride and Raney's Truck Center are known for."
Raney's Truck Center has been a part of the Ocala community for more than 66 years, providing truck and trailer parts and services to local businesses and nationwide customers. The acquisition will empower the Raney's team to further enhance their offerings and extend their reach while upholding Raney's core values and dedication to customer service, FleetPride said.