Maas Logistics Dispatch

Trucking News Roundup: Diesel Eases to $6.38, DAT All-In Still Fuel-Driven, FMCSA Fuel HOS Waiver, Non-Domiciled CDL Rule Holds (Oct 1, 2026)

October 1, 2026 · By Maas Logistics Dispatch · 5 min read

Diesel backed off its record but still sits about $2.63 over a year ago, DAT all-in rates keep climbing on fuel while linehaul holds flat, the fuel-hauler HOS waiver runs into December, and the non-domiciled CDL final rule stands amid court challenges. Here's what it means from a dispatch desk in Melissa, Texas.

EIA diesel eases to about $6.38 after successive record highs

Overdrive (Sept. 30): The U.S. Energy Information Administration national average on-highway diesel for the week ending Sept. 28 fell about 14.7 cents to roughly $6.38 a gallon after the prior week's about $6.53 record. That is still the second-highest weekly average on record and roughly $2.63 above the same week a year ago.

Regional moves varied: Gulf Coast diesel fell hardest — about 22 cents — while the Rockies rose about 6.7 cents. California remained the most expensive market at about $8.18 a gallon.

What it means: One down week helps the P&L but does not reset fuel risk 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.

Source: Overdrive: Diesel down, rates up in limited fashion with reefer lull

DAT: all-in spot still climbs on fuel while van linehaul holds near $2.17

DAT / AJOT / Overdrive (late Sept. reporting into Oct. 1): For the week of Sept. 20–26, DAT all-in broker-to-carrier spot rates rose across equipment — dry van about $3.01 a mile (up 5 cents), reefer about $3.63 (up 4 cents), flatbed about $3.60 (up 5 cents) — while dry-van linehaul held near $2.17.

DAT said fuel accounted for the entire van all-in increase and more than the entire increase for reefer and flatbed, whose linehaul actually eased. The van load-to-truck ratio firmed near 11.4 as equipment posts thinned, and DAT's 35-day outlook still pointed near about $2.14 a mile van linehaul by late October.

What it means: All-in looks firmer because diesel did — strip the surcharge and linehaul is mostly flat. Melissa/DFW CDL-A seats — company drivers / owner-operators. Shippers locking fall lanes — get a freight quote.

Source: AJOT: Van spot rate climbs 5 cents to $3.01 as diesel rises 32 cents

Seasonal reefer lull vs firmer dry van and flatbed spots

Overdrive, citing FTR / Truckstop.com data (Sept. 30): Even as diesel eased, total broker-posted spot rates edged up about a penny week over week. Dry van and flatbed posted gains — dry van roughly up 4.5 cents after a prior dip, flatbed slightly higher — while reefer slid another 7.3 cents after a prior 6-cent drop.

That reefer slide is a seasonal pattern, not a collapse: in the same report reefer spot remained far above year-ago levels, roughly 47% higher.

What it means: Equipment type still matters more than a single national headline. Reefer seats and dry-van OTR out of Melissa/DFW — company drivers / owner-operators. Need refrigerated or dry FTL — get a freight quote.

Source: Overdrive: Diesel down, rates up in limited fashion with reefer lull

FMCSA fuel-haul HOS waiver still runs through Dec. 16

Transport Topics / Overdrive / GAWDA (September coverage, still current Oct. 1): FMCSA's limited hours-of-service waiver for interstate gasoline and diesel haulers remains in effect through Dec. 16, 2026. Covered drivers get temporary flexibility under specific rest, berth, and CDL conditions while the agency cites fuel supply disruptions and fall demand, including agriculture.

This is a fuel-transport waiver — not a blanket HOS change for dry van or reefer general freight.

What it means: Most OTR dry-van and reefer clocks are unchanged; fuel haulers have a temporary path. Compliant Melissa/DFW hiring for general freight — company drivers / owner-operators. Need an asset truck for dry or reefer freight — get a freight quote.

Source: Transport Topics: FMCSA fuel transport waiver

Non-domiciled CDL final rule stays in force while court fight continues

Fleet Equipment / Overdrive / FMCSA FAQs (into Oct. 2026): FMCSA's March 16, 2026 non-domiciled CDL final rule remains in effect after the D.C. Circuit denied emergency stays. Foreign-domiciled applicants are limited to H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 status with passport and I-94 style proof; EADs are not accepted for this purpose under the final rule.

Fleets should treat state DMV execution as active — renewals, transfers, and upgrades can trigger eligibility review — even as litigation continues in the courts.

What it means: Hiring pipelines tighten around verified credentials; a serious Class A with clean paperwork still wins. Apply when ready — company drivers / owner-operators. Need a truck that shows with compliant drivers — get a freight quote.

Source: Fleet Equipment: FMCSA CDL rule in abeyance status

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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