South Florida Diesel Prices Rise More Than 70%, Impacting Trucking Industry

Road transportation operations in South Florida have come under pressure following the recent increase in diesel prices across the region. September began with elevated diesel prices, with GasBuddy putting the average at around $5.80 per gallon, while AAA recorded prices of $5.88 per gallon in Palm Beach County and $5.83 per gallon in Port St. Lucie.

But the increase did not stop there. During the week of September 14, the average price of a gallon of diesel in South Florida reached $6.31, an increase of 63 cents from the previous week.

The increase was primarily reflected in the southern part of the state, while other areas of Florida remained relatively stable. On September 14, average prices in the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton areas stood at $4.28 per gallon, while Monroe County recorded an average of $4.35. Some markets in the Panhandle remained below $4 per gallon. In Panama City, the average price was $3.95, while Pensacola stood at $3.96.

The situation highlights the regional differences experienced by drivers who work or travel on Florida’s highways. A difference of more than $2 per gallon between regions represents a significant increase that directly affects transportation operations.

Transportation Operations Affected by Rising Diesel Prices

According to data from the Florida Trucking Association, recorded prices have increased by more than 70% compared with the same period last year. According to AAA, diesel prices have risen from $3.54 per gallon at this time last year to $6.31 per gallon today.

Transportation companies have also felt the impact of the recent increase in fuel prices. Feeding South Florida said, in comments published by EV Smarts, that the increase has significantly raised the costs associated with keeping its delivery fleet operational. The nonprofit organization operates more than 30 large diesel-powered tractor-trailers that transport food from Palm Beach County to the Florida Keys. As a result, fuel represents one of its major operating expenses.

Scott Perry, president of the Florida Trucking Association, said that an average workday for a truck driver involves roughly 500 miles, which means using between 60 and 70 gallons of fuel per day. That translates into a daily fuel expense of between $450 and $500. “In a fleet of 50 trucks, that amounts to more than $3 million a year, and that is extraordinary,” Perry said.

He also emphasized the essential role the transportation industry plays in the supply chain. This means that the increase does not only directly affect the industry, but is also reflected in the prices of goods, which must rise to cover higher transportation costs. Ultimately, those costs are passed on to consumers.

Gasoline Prices in Florida

The pressure on fuel prices is not limited to diesel users. As of September 14, the average price of gasoline in Florida ranged between $4.13 and $4.14 per gallon, compared with the national average, which ranged between $4.31 and $4.32.

At the time, only seven of Florida’s 67 counties had average gasoline prices below $4 per gallon, all of them located in the Panhandle region. This reflects a broad increase in fuel costs across the state rather than a problem concentrated in just a few markets with particularly high prices.

The increase has placed an additional financial burden on households while also raising costs for businesses and organizations that rely on road transportation for their operations.