Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025:
- Diesel prices are down nationally on average, yet the most recent week saw an exception in the Central Atlantic region.
- Used sleeper sale prices ticked down a hair for September -- 2-year-olds saw the biggest decline.
- FMCSA granted a waiver that clears a big hurdle for autonomous trucks to legally operate.
Fuel prices trending down through October
The month of October has been at least better than the one before it for anyone paying retail prices at the pump for diesel. According to the Energy Information Administration, since the week ending Sept. 29, diesel’s national average has fallen 13.4 cents to $3.62 a gallon during the most recent week ending Oct. 20.
That most recent weekly average is the lowest for a gallon of diesel since fuel prices spiked in June, when prices stood at $3.57 a gallon during the week ending June 16.
During the most recent week, prices fell in all regions except the Central Atlantic, which saw an increase of just a tenth of a cent. The largest decrease was seen in the Rocky Mountain region, where prices fell 7.3 cents, followed by the Lower Atlantic region, which saw a 6.1-cent decline.
The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.30 a gallon, while the most expensive diesel is in California at $4.90 a gallon.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- New England -- $3.94
- Central Atlantic -- $3.88
- Lower Atlantic -- $3.58
- Midwest -- $3.56
- Rocky Mountain -- $3.59
- West Coast less California -- $4.01
ProMiles’ diesel averages during the same week fell by 3.5 cents to $3.60/gallon nationwide. According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $5.07, the cheapest in the Gulf Coast region at $3.24.
Used-sleeper values/prices fall faster for 2-year-olds
Overdrive sister company Price Digests by Fusable's sleeper-tractor used-value index showed modest average pricing declines from August to September for 5- and 10-year-old sleepers. The picture for the month was different for 2-year-olds after values gaining ground in August.
Two-year-old sleeper value/pricing fell roughly 4%, almost doubling last year's August-September rate of decline.
According to ACT Research's preliminary September used-truck report, "preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks faltered for a second month in September, slipping 1.9% m/m to $55,745. September’s decline was directionally consistent seasonally, but deeper than the expected 0.5% dip,” according to ACT Vice President Steve Tam.
[Related: Ways to assess truck market value for purchase, trade or sale, insurance]
Aurora receives warning device exemption
Autonomous truck tech developer Aurora recently announced it has received a waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to begin using cab-mounted warning beacons as an alternative to reflective triangles to meet federal warning device requirements. FMCSA has not yet published the waiver in the Federal Register.
Aurora noted that the cab-mounted flashing lights indicate when a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road to warn other road users, which is similar to systems used by emergency and construction vehicles. The company touted the warning lights as “a step forward for road safety.”
As a result of receiving the exemption, Aurora said it will be filing to dismiss a lawsuit filed earlier this year against FMCSA after the agency denied an exemption request from Aurora and Waymo from the warning triangle requirement.
[Related: Driverless-truck tech: Owner-operators worry over cyberattacks, crashes, competition]
According to the waiver posted on FMCSA’s website, approval was granted for three months through Jan. 9, 2026. After the three-month period, as long as there is no violation of the terms and conditions of the waiver or a determination of a safety deficiency by FMCSA, the waiver will be reissued.
While the waiver has been granted to Aurora commercial motor vehicles equipped with a Level 4 Automated Driving System (ADS), FMCSA said the waiver “also extends to any other motor carrier operating CMVs with a Level 4 ADS, provided such motor carrier provides written notification to FMCSA that includes the certifications” specified in the waiver.
Under terms of the waiver, companies operating under the exemption are required to submit a report to FMCSA within 30 days of the end of the waiver that includes information about warning beacon activations and performance.
“History has proven that innovation improves the safety of our nation's roadways,” Aurora said in announcing it had received the waiver. “Aurora is committed to fulfilling our mission to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. As part of that mission and our commitment to transparency, we look forward to continuing work with the federal agencies and federal and state policymakers to improve transportation safety for all commercial vehicles, strengthen our supply chain, and maintain the United States’ technological edge over international competitors.”
[Related: Could 'driverless' tech be coming for trucking sooner than we think?]
