What is the DOE Diesel Price?
The DOE Diesel Price (officially called the "Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Fuel Price") is the benchmark diesel price published by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA). This price is used throughout the trucking and freight industry as the reference point for calculating fuel surcharges.
Every Monday, EIA surveys approximately 400 retail diesel fuel outlets across the contiguous United States. The national average price is published the following Tuesday around 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
Published Weekly
New prices every Tuesday at approximately 10:00 AM ET
Cash Self-Serve
Reflects cash price at the pump, including all taxes
Regional Data
Available by PADD region, state, and select metro areas
Diesel Prices by PADD Region
The U.S. is divided into five Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs). Diesel prices vary significantly by region due to refinery locations, taxes, and transportation costs.
East Coast (PADD 1)
ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL
Midwest (PADD 2)
OH, IN, IL, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS
Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
TX, LA, MS, AL, AR, NM
Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)
MT, ID, WY, UT, CO
West Coast (PADD 5)
WA, OR, CA, AK, HI, AZ, NV
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Get API AccessHow Trucking Companies Use DOE Diesel Prices
The DOE diesel price serves as the industry standard reference for fuel surcharge calculations. Here's how it works:
- Contract Setup: Carrier and shipper agree on a baseline price (typically $1.10-$1.50) and MPG (typically 6 mpg) in their rate agreement.
- Weekly Update: When EIA publishes new diesel prices on Tuesday, carriers update their fuel surcharge tables.
- Surcharge Calculation: The per-mile surcharge is calculated as:
(DOE Price - Baseline) ÷ MPG = Surcharge/Mile - Invoice Application: The surcharge is multiplied by trip miles and added as a line item on freight invoices.
Calculate Your Fuel Surcharge
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Open CalculatorHistorical Diesel Price Trends
Understanding historical diesel price trends helps with budgeting and contract negotiations. Here are key milestones:
| Year | Average Price | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $2.55 | COVID-19 demand collapse |
| 2021 | $3.28 | Post-pandemic recovery |
| 2022 | $4.99 | Russia-Ukraine conflict, peak $5.81 |
| 2023 | $4.21 | Gradual normalization |
| 2024 | $3.85 | Continued decline |
| 2025 | ~$3.60 | Current (Dec 2025) |
Official EIA Data Source
U.S. Energy Information Administration
The official source for DOE diesel prices. Data is free to access and use.
Visit EIA.govNeed Diesel Prices via API?
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