Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025:
Diesel prices, spot rates flat to close out January
After surging to begin 2025, diesel prices have settled somewhat in the last two weeks, falling 5.5 cents since a big 11.3-cent increase during the week ending Jan. 20.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), diesel’s national average fell 5.6 cents during the week ending Jan. 27 before increasing by just a tenth of a cent during the most recent week ending Feb. 3.
Following those changes, the U.S. national average for a gallon of on-highway diesel is now $3.66 -- 10 cents cheaper than 2024’s full-year national average.
Looking at regional changes during the most recent week, prices were a mixed bag. The Lower Atlantic region saw the biggest dip in prices of 3.6 cents per gallon, while the Rocky Mountain region saw the biggest increase, 4 cents.
The nation’s cheapest diesel is in the Gulf Coast region at $3.40/gal, while the most expensive fuel is out West in California at $4.79/gal.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- New England -- $3.97
- Central Atlantic -- $3.99
- Lower Atlantic -- $3.68
- Midwest -- $3.57
- Rocky Mountain -- $3.47
- West Coast less California -- $3.86
[Related: In a tough trucking business environment, owner-operators must improve efficiency to compete]
Fuel's decline may have delivered owners a measure of added profit potential last week, as the average broker-posted spot market rate in the Truckstop load board system was essentially unchanged during the week ended Jan. 31, according to the weekly report from Truckstop and FTR. At once, for dry van and reefer haulers, rates were slightly down, with flatbed averages on the rise.

The moves for rates in all three equipment types matched the typical pattern for late January, the firms noted. Dry van spot rates are the lowest since Thanksgiving, but refrigerated rates have not quite given back their holiday-period surge. Flatbed spot rates are the highest in 14 weeks.
Year over year, comparisons aren't looking great, with rates down 3.4% from the same 2024 week and about 7% below the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding a calculated surcharge, accounting for fuel-price differences, were down slightly less, 3% year over year.
Total load activity rose 4% after falling more than 15% during the previous week, which included a federal holiday. Volume was about 6% below the same 2024 week and almost 33% below the five-year average for the week.
[Related: Fuel prices surging to begin 2025]
I-17 closure set for this weekend
A weekend closure of northbound I-17 in north Phoenix is scheduled this upcoming weekend, Feb. 7-10, for some of the last work needed for a pavement improvement project south of State Route 74/Carefree Highway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
ADOT has scheduled four weekend closures for final bridge and pavement improvements, including this one.
During the weekend, NB I-17 will be closed between Loop 303 and SR 74/Carefree Highway from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10. EB Loop 303 traffic approaching I-17 will be limited to a right turn onto SB I-17 (no traffic crossing under I-17).
NB I-17 traffic exiting at Loop 303 traffic will detour on the NB frontage road to SR 74 to reach I-17.
The much-needed project to improve the pavement along I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74 has removed the old, worn top layer of asphalt pavement, and the concrete pavement beneath it has undergone a treatment known as diamond grinding. The current schedule calls for three additional weekend closures:
- SBI-17 closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17.
- NB I-17 closed between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24.
- SB I-17 closed between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 3.
The closure schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The improvement work already has created a safer, smoother and longer lasting surface along 6 miles of I-17 north of Happy Valley Road.