Truck drivers who keep Cincinnati’s shelves stocked are feeling the pinch of soaring diesel prices. At the TA Travel Center in Florence, diesel was $6.45 per gallon on Monday, while a Speedway in nearby Walton posted $6.47 per gallon. For owner‑operators who fill tanks holding hundreds of gallons, even a few cents per gallon adds up to hundreds of dollars each stop.
Drivers say fuel costs are eating into weekly earnings
“It’s eating right into my weekly take‑home. And it’s hard,” said David Borman, an owner‑operator who hauls freight along I‑75. Borman noted that fuel surcharges help offset some of the increase, but they rarely cover the full expense. Because owner‑operators pay for fuel out of pocket while also covering maintenance, insurance and other operating costs, the rise hits them especially hard.
Texas driver Eddie Adams recounted a recent fill‑up of 58 gallons that cost $375. “I had a friend yesterday that got fuel — $948. That’s crazy,” Adams said. He was en route to Atlanta with a load of produce, a type of freight that cannot wait for fuel prices to fall without risking spoilage.
Total Quality Logistics warns consumers may feel the impact
Julia Doherty of Cincinnati‑based Total Quality Logistics (TQL), one of the nation’s largest freight brokerage firms, said drivers are now spending roughly $300 more each time they refuel compared with just a few weeks ago. TQL moved more than 4 million shipments last year, connecting businesses that need to move goods with trucking companies and owner‑operators.
“Seventy percent of all things in the U.S. are moved on a truck,” Doherty explained. “So rising diesel prices directly correlate to prices rising in goods.” She illustrated the effect with a typical Cincinnati‑to‑Denver shipment that usually costs about $5,000. With current fuel costs, that same move could approach $5,400.
Doherty cautioned that the ultimate impact on consumers depends on how long the elevated diesel prices persist. The transportation system can absorb short‑term volatility—such as severe weather or road closures—without passing costs to shoppers. However, if high fuel prices linger, the added expense can work its way through trucking firms, intermediaries and retailers before showing up at the checkout.
Fresh food and time‑sensitive goods are especially vulnerable
Products with short shelf lives, like fresh meats and produce, are particularly sensitive to higher transportation costs. “Things like fresh meats, produce, those need to move and they need to move quickly,” Doherty said. “You can’t sit out and play the waiting game on diesel prices.” Because these items must keep moving regardless of fuel cost, businesses may have little choice but to absorb the higher expense, which could translate into higher prices for families.
Doherty also pointed to California produce shipped to Cincinnati markets. The long distance combined with higher diesel prices adds a noticeable cost component that could eventually be reflected at the grocery aisle.
Drivers discuss possible October protest
Several drivers told WLWT they have heard talk of a protest or strike on Oct. 1 to draw attention to the industry’s challenges. Borman said he is aware of the discussions but opposes a shutdown, arguing that halting trucks would ultimately hurt the very consumers who rely on timely deliveries.
Adams, however, expressed support for drivers taking action to highlight their concerns. Doherty warned that any significant halt in freight movement could have widespread consequences for the U.S. economy, given the critical role trucking plays in delivering goods.
Hope for lower prices
One driver, identified only as Davronov, summed up the sentiment on the road: “Hopefully [prices] go down. Hopefully. I pray.” As the holiday season approaches and shipping activity ramps up, the industry and local families alike will be watching diesel prices closely.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
