Fuel & Transport Costs in 2026: What We’re Seeing
Economic Insights from Central Dispatch
What we’re seeing
Based on recent activity from a broad sample across the Central Dispatch marketplace, transport prices per mile have risen from ~$0.75 earlier this year to $0.90+ in May, tracking recent increases in diesel costs.
Transport pricing trend
Transport pricing has increased steadily in recent weeks, reflecting higher operating costs driven by rising fuel prices.
Diesel vs. price per mile
Fuel costs are rising faster than transport rates, which may impact carrier margins and pricing strategies in the short term.
Monthly trends
The sharpest increase occurred between March and May, aligning with recent diesel price increases.
What this means for you
- Transport costs remain elevated as fuel prices continue to fluctuate
- Carriers are absorbing part of the increase, rather than fully passing costs through
- Pricing conditions may remain dynamic in the near term
*Transport pricing reflects a representative sample of orders processed through the Central Dispatch marketplace and is adjusted to smooth short-term fluctuations. It may not reflect all marketplace activity.
