Maas Logistics Dispatch
Trucking News Roundup: Diesel Eases Off Record, Texas Dyed-Diesel Relief, FMCSA Denies ELD Exemption, DAT Spot Holds (Sept 30, 2026)
September 30, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 5 min read
Diesel finally backed off its record, Texas and Georgia moved on fuel relief, FMCSA shut the door on a blanket ELD exemption, DAT linehaul held flat while fuel drove all-in rates, and operating costs keep outrunning contract rates. Here's what it means from a dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.
EIA diesel finally eases to $6.382 after a stretch of record highs
Logistics Management / FreightWaves (Sept. 29): The U.S. Energy Information Administration national average on-highway diesel for the week of Sept. 28 came in at $6.382 a gallon — down 14.7 cents from the prior week's $6.529 record. That ends an 11-week climb that started around mid-July near $4.80 and pushed diesel to successive all-time highs.
FreightWaves noted Gulf crude flows improving toward pre-war levels and ULSD futures easing off mid-September peaks, even as retail remains far above a year ago.
What it means: One down week is relief, not a reset — fuel still dominates the P&L for small fleets. Company drivers and owner-operators who want a stable Melissa/DFW home base — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers quoting lanes should still plan fuel-aware pricing — get a freight quote.
Texas expands dyed-diesel use and weight relief; Georgia suspends fuel taxes
Overdrive / FreightWaves (Sept. 29): Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster proclamation allowing broader on-road use of dyed diesel for agriculture and freight, raising allowable weight for fuel, agricultural, and timber loads (up to about 95,000 pounds under the proclamation), and seeking related TxLED / EPA flexibility.
Separately, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Sept. 28 suspended state gas and diesel taxes for 30 days through Oct. 29 — Georgia's diesel excise sits near 37 cents a gallon — to pull pump prices closer to under $6 for diesel in that state.
What it means: Texas carriers and ag haulers get temporary cost relief at the pump and on weight; general dry van still needs disciplined utilization. Hiring serious CDL-A near Melissa/DFW — company drivers / owner-operators. Freight that needs an asset truck in Texas — get a freight quote.
FMCSA denies driver group's petition for a blanket ELD exemption
Overdrive (Sept. 29 briefs): FMCSA denied a petition from a driver-led group (Freedom of the Open Road / FOPT) seeking to waive electronic logging device requirements for certain drivers. The agency said MAP-21 requires ELDs for commercial vehicles in interstate commerce and that it cannot grant a blanket exemption.
FMCSA also found the petition did not show the exemption would be as safe or safer than current rules, noting proposed paper-log audits would not cover an undefined population of non-member drivers.
What it means: ELDs stay the federal baseline for interstate freight — paper-log wish lists are closed. Compliant fleets keep running Samsara and the clock that shippers expect. Apply when you are ready — company drivers / owner-operators. Need a truck that logs clean — get a freight quote.
DAT: dry-van linehaul holds near $2.17 while fuel still drives all-in
DAT / The Trucker (week of Sept. 20–26 reporting into late Sept.): DAT One load posts were about 2.9 million for the week, down 1% week over week; equipment posts fell about 4%. Dry-van linehaul held around $2.17 a mile (ex-fuel) while all-in van, reefer, and flatbed rose on fuel surcharges after EIA diesel hit $6.529 for the week ending Sept. 21.
DAT noted rates remain sharply above year-ago levels even as fuel accounts for most of the sequential all-in move. A separate DAT dry-van report dated Sept. 28 described falling tonnage with a tighter supply story and load-to-truck ratios firming.
What it means: All-in looks firmer; strip fuel and linehaul is mostly flat — capacity still matters more than a demand boom. Melissa/DFW CDL-A seats — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers locking Q4 lanes — get a freight quote.
Operating costs and driver pay keep climbing while contract rates try to catch up
FreightWaves (late Sept. interview cycle): Covenant Logistics' David Parker said non-fuel operating costs — including driver pay, health insurance, liability, and physical damage — have risen about 40–50% since 2019 while contract rates have not kept the same pace.
Tender rejections were cited near the mid-teens (~13.7%), well above year-ago levels near 5.5%, with drayage called one of the tightest pockets. Spot all-in was discussed near the mid-$3s per mile in that conversation, with contract rates beginning to overtake spot in places — a healthier sign for peak planning even as housing and auto demand stay soft.
What it means: Cost inflation and thin capacity are still the backdrop — not a soft market where any truck will do. Drivers who want an asset-based Melissa/DFW seat — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers who need a truck that shows — get a freight quote.
Running with Maas
Hiring CDL-A company drivers: company driver openings. Owner-operators: lease on with Maas. Need a truck: get a freight quote.
Maas Logistics LLC | 1817 Miller Rd #5, Melissa, TX 75454 | (916) 770-7323 | dispatch@maaslogistic.com
Dallas–Fort Worth | USDOT 3179194 | MC 124881
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