Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025:
- While not at its highest point of 2025, diesel prices running hot in year-over-year comparisons.
- Why TA is suspending its Emergency Roadside Assistance service.
- Get slowdown alerts and more before you need them in this state.
Fuel prices up to $3.75 average nationally
Diesel prices are continuing to rise after showing signs of improvement through early October.
According to the Energy Information Administration, diesel prices jumped 3.5 cents during the most recent week ending Nov. 3, which followed a 9.8-cent increase during the previous week. The combined 13.3-cent surge over the two-week span has fuel prices at their highest since the end of September.
The U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel is now $3.75, up from $3.72 last week and $3.62 the week before last.
Fuel prices climbed during the most recent week in all but two regions. California’s prices fell by just a tenth of a cent, and the Rocky Mountain region saw prices fall by a penny, on average.
The largest increase during the week was observed in the Midwest region, where diesel gained an average of 5.8 cents a gallon.
The Gulf Coast continues to hold the nation’s cheapest fuel at $3.37/gallon, while the most expensive fuel is in California at $4.93/gallon.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- New England -- $3.94
- Central Atlantic -- $3.91
- Lower Atlantic -- $3.68
- Midwest -- $3.77
- Rocky Mountain -- $3.68
- West Coast less California -- $4.12
ProMiles’ diesel averages during the same week increased by 7.2 cents to $3.66/gallon nationwide. According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $5.08, the cheapest in the Gulf Coast region at $3.30.
[Related: Trucker of the Month reaps 10-mpg-plus rewards of two decades learning, growing]
TA suspends roadside assistance service
TravelCenters of America temporarily suspended its Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) service while the company assesses how to improve safety of roadside workers.
In a statement to Overdrive Wednesday, a spokesperson for TA parent company BP said the company has paused its ERA work “on the highways until further notice. Roadside ERA will not resume until we have a better understanding of what improvements may be needed to support the safety of our employees.”
The statement added the company is still responding to non-highway calls.
The decision to halt the roadside service was made after the Oct. 23 death of Ethan Schultz, who according to the Daily Voice was struck and killed by a truck in a hit-and-run incident at roadside responding to another disabled truck. Schultz’s obituary confirms he worked as a diesel technician for TA.
Free Drivewyze safety alerts available in Louisiana
Louisiana is the latest state to offer sudden-slowdown alerts and a virtual sign network to commercial drivers through Drivewyze by Fleetworthy’s Smart Roadways product.
The alerts are sent through ELDs, tablets and smartphones, and are available free of charge through Drivewyze Free. Louisiana is now the 23rd state to offer messaging through the Smart Roadways service and the 15th state to provide alerts for sudden slowdowns ahead.
“As we move forward with transforming Louisiana DOTD, innovative technology and communication will play a major role,” said Glenn Ledet, Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development secretary. “This is a great example of advancing important safety messages to the trucking community, and Louisiana is a major freight corridor. Safety of the traveling public is the state’s number one concern, and this is an example of the state modernizing its safety efforts.”
Sudden-slowdown and congestion alerts are provided in partnership with INRIX, which utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze traffic patterns from millions of anonymously connected vehicles traveling over a billion miles daily in the U.S. This data enables INRIX to detect and monitor traffic slowdowns in real time. That information is then delivered to Drivewyze by Fleetworthy and its Smart Roadways platform. Drivers receive alerts such as “Sudden Slowdown Ahead” and “Congestion Ahead” two to three miles before congestion begins, giving them ample time to adjust speed.
Louisiana also utilizes the Smart Roadways virtual sign messaging service, enabling the state’s DOTD to communicate real-time safety alerts to commercial drivers at specific geo-fenced locations. These custom messages can warn drivers about upcoming work zones, detours, lane restrictions, or hazardous conditions.
According to the DOTD, the virtual sign messaging service has helped the department inform commercial drivers of ongoing work zones and lane restrictions along I-10 since deploying Smart Roadways in July. In addition, the department is issuing safety reminder messages to drivers entering the state to watch for motorcyclists.
In addition to alerts from Louisiana and other participating states, drivers with the Drivewyze Free app also receive Drivewyze-sponsored safety notifications, including high-rollover risk areas, low bridges, steep grades, chain-up/brake check stations, runaway ramps, and more.
