Fueling the Future: Diesel Price Trends & Reefer Fuel Realities
Over the past six months, diesel fuel prices in the U.S. have seen a steady climb. In April 2025, prices hovered around $3.85 per gallon , rising to $4.15 by August. Forecasts suggest this upward trend will continue, with prices expected to reach $4.40 per gallon by December This increase impacts every aspect of trucking operations—from linehaul costs to reefer fuel consumption, which is often not fully accounted for in fuel surcharges . The Hidden Cost of Refrigerated Trailers Refrigerated trailers (reefers) are essential for transporting temperature-sensitive goods, but they come with a significant fuel cost. Most reefers operate in one of two modes: Continuous Mode : Burns approximately 1 gallon of diesel per hour Start/Stop Mode : Burns approximately 0.4 gallons per hour Over a 24-hour period, this translates to: 24 gallons/day in continuous mode 9.6 gallons/day in start/stop mode Holding a load for multiple days ...