News Summary

• Diesel, the largest day-to-day expense in trucking, has jumped 41% since the start of the war to a national average of nearly $5.38 a gallon.
• Small fleet owners like Hagen and independent owner- operator drivers are hit hardest by the oil spike in the for-hire trucking industry.
• “Cash flow is becoming our biggest issue,” Hagen said.
• The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.