Gas prices are rising across the nation due to ongoing military action in Iran, impacting drivers in Pennsylvania with diesel prices significantly above the national average.In Lancaster County, regular gas prices are at $3.69 as of Monday, while diesel prices have reached $5.19, surpassing the national average according to AAA. This trend is affecting truck drivers and companies that rely on diesel fuel throughout the Susquehanna Valley.Robert Grimaldi, school director at Shelly Truck Driving School in York, said, “This is the highest that I’ve seen it in my years of doing this. This is definitely the most severe change that I’ve seen.”Over the past week, the school’s fleet of eight trucks has experienced a nearly $300 increase in fuel costs per truck.”We take approximately 266 gallons to go from dead empty to full. So last week that cost was $1,024,” Grimaldi said. “This week, that cost is $1,250.”While these prices may not directly impact drivers, the companies they work for must absorb the cost increase, which trickles down through the supply chain.”What that usually turns into is the products at the end of the day end up having to cost more because of that increase in fuel,” Grimaldi said. “The average regional driver is pulling down close to 2500 to 3000 miles a week. So, their fuel in that truck, typically twice a week at $1,200 per fill. It’s pretty drastic.”Grimaldi noted that while fuel costs are expected to fluctuate, a 29% increase in under a month could be detrimental to some companies.”You may even see some smaller companies have to close up shop because they just can’t afford to compete with other companies, because it costs X amount of dollars per mile just to move that truck. If it’s going to cost more to move the truck than what they’re going to make, they’re not going to move the truck,” he said.The national average price of diesel fuel is $4.65 as of Monday, according to AAA, with the record all-time high being $5.81 in June 2022. Pennsylvania’s current prices are not far off from this peak.

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. —

Gas prices are rising across the nation due to ongoing military action in Iran, impacting drivers in Pennsylvania with diesel prices significantly above the national average.

In Lancaster County, regular gas prices are at $3.69 as of Monday, while diesel prices have reached $5.19, surpassing the national average according to AAA. This trend is affecting truck drivers and companies that rely on diesel fuel throughout the Susquehanna Valley.

Robert Grimaldi, school director at Shelly Truck Driving School in York, said, “This is the highest that I’ve seen it in my years of doing this. This is definitely the most severe change that I’ve seen.”

Over the past week, the school’s fleet of eight trucks has experienced a nearly $300 increase in fuel costs per truck.

“We take approximately 266 gallons to go from dead empty to full. So last week that cost was $1,024,” Grimaldi said. “This week, that cost is $1,250.”

While these prices may not directly impact drivers, the companies they work for must absorb the cost increase, which trickles down through the supply chain.

“What that usually turns into is the products at the end of the day end up having to cost more because of that increase in fuel,” Grimaldi said. “The average regional driver is pulling down close to 2500 to 3000 miles a week. So, their fuel in that truck, typically twice a week at $1,200 per fill. It’s pretty drastic.”

Grimaldi noted that while fuel costs are expected to fluctuate, a 29% increase in under a month could be detrimental to some companies.

“You may even see some smaller companies have to close up shop because they just can’t afford to compete with other companies, because it costs X amount of dollars per mile just to move that truck. If it’s going to cost more to move the truck than what they’re going to make, they’re not going to move the truck,” he said.

The national average price of diesel fuel is $4.65 as of Monday, according to AAA, with the record all-time high being $5.81 in June 2022. Pennsylvania’s current prices are not far off from this peak.