BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The average price of diesel fuel in Kentucky has climbed to $5.34 per gallon. According to AAA, that’s just 50 cents below the record high of $5.85 set in 2022.
What You Need To Know
Diesel prices in Kentucky have reached $5.34 per gallon, nearing the 2022 record of $5.85.
The conflict in Iran has disrupted oil supplies, contributing to rising fuel costs.
Truckers, particularly independent owner-operators, are feeling the financial strain.
The national average for diesel currently stands at $5.66 per gallon, according to AAA.
Nicolas Ortiz, who has driven trucks for more than a decade, said he has rarely seen diesel prices climb this high.
“Right now, a full tank comes out close to $900, instead of being close to $500 for a full tank,” Ortiz said.
The conflict in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies, forcing companies to reroute or halt shipments, which has pushed prices higher. Truckers nationwide have seen diesel costs jump by more than $1 per gallon in just one month.
“It’s kind of hard trying to keep up with the prices, and expect to get a different amount for the fuel,” Ortiz said.
Arley Arteaga, another truck driver, said, “It’s too tight, everything is expensive.”
Ortiz explained that many truckers operate as independent owner-operators, meaning they cover fuel costs themselves.
He said rising fuel expenses are cutting into earnings, costing drivers hundreds of dollars and forcing difficult financial decisions.
“It gets stressful, not because you’re out here, but because you’re thinking about your family, you have to buy stuff for them, or if your car breaks down, it comes out of your pocket,” Ortiz said.
According to AAA, the national average price for diesel is $5.66 per gallon.
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