DIESEL BENCHMARK FALLS FOR 5TH STRAIGHT WEEK, BIGGEST 5-WEEK DROP IN 2 YEARS
DOE/EIA’s average on-highway diesel price slid 6.3 cents to $3.544 a gallon, down 32.4 cents over five weeks—the largest such decline since 2023—as ULSD futures stabilize and crude trades near $62 amid Venezuela/Russia supply uncertainty.
AAA: U.S. GAS AVERAGE HOLDS BELOW $3 AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS, CHEAPEST DECEMBER SINCE 2020
National unleaded averaged about $2.86 on Dec. 23, with Hawaii highest at $4.44 and Oklahoma lowest at $2.30; AAA credits strong supply and sub-$60 WTI for easing prices that benefit holiday road travel and fleet fuel costs.
ATA INDEX: NOVEMBER TRUCK TONNAGE TICKS UP 0.2% BUT REMAINS SOFT YEAR-OVER-YEAR
ATA’s for-hire tonnage inched higher from October but fell 0.3% y/y, with Chief Economist Bob Costello noting constrained volumes and continued capacity exits even as some indicators point to gradual normalization in 2026.
SENATE CONFIRMS MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR AND COAST GUARD COMMANDANT
Stephen Carmel is approved to lead MARAD and Adm. Kevin Lunday is confirmed to head the U.S. Coast Guard, with priorities on maritime safety and supply chain efficiency—key for port trucking and intermodal fluidity in 2026.
USDOT THREATENS TO WITHHOLD $24M FROM COLORADO OVER CDL COMPLIANCE FAILURES
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns Colorado over alleged unlawful issuance of CDLs to immigrants and slow corrective action, underscoring tougher federal enforcement that could ripple through driver supply and carrier operations.
CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS URGE TRAVELERS TO RECONSIDER CHRISTMAS TRIPS AS STORMS BEAR DOWN
Multiple atmospheric-river storms are set to deliver flooding rains, mudslides and heavy mountain snow through Friday, with evacuations and road closures likely—posing major hazards for truckers across SoCal and the Sierra.
SIERRA WHITEOUTS, 70 MPH WINDS FORECAST; I-80 OVER DONNER AT RISK OF EXTENDED CLOSURES
Forecasters warn of blizzard-like conditions and up to five feet of snow in the Tahoe region; widespread flight delays and power outages are possible as high winds slam the coast and Central Valley—plan alternate routes and delays.
NORTHEAST WINTER MIX BRINGS SLICK ROADS IN CONNECTICUT, MINOR AIR DELAYS
Snow and freezing rain created hazardous conditions and school closures across parts of Connecticut, with DOT reporting incidents on I‑95 and local routes; precipitation tapers by afternoon but wet, slick pavement lingers for drivers.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL: THOUSANDS OF FLIGHT DELAYS, AAA WARNS OF GRIDLOCK ON KEY CORRIDORS
A live travel tracker shows more than 2,000 flight delays and forecasts heavy congestion on major routes this week; AAA and INRIX advise leaving early and avoiding peak windows as storms and fog complicate cross-country travel.
TENNESSEE DOT HALTS HOLIDAY LANE CLOSURES DEC. 23–JAN. 2 TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING
TDOT will suspend temporary lane closures on interstates and state highways through Jan. 2 to ease holiday congestion, with AAA projecting 2.8 million Tennesseans traveling—most of them by car or truck.
U.S. HOLDS OFF ON NEW CHIP TARIFFS THROUGH MID-2027 AMID TRUMP–XI TARIFF TRUCE
USTR’s Section 301 probe found China’s practices “unreasonable,” but additional semiconductor tariffs are paused, easing near-term pressure on electronics supply chains and associated truckload volumes into U.S. distribution networks.
OUTLOOK: TARIFFS AND WEAK DEMAND KEEP TRUCKING ON UNCERTAIN FOOTING INTO 2026
Analysts say shifting trade policy, enforcement actions and soft freight could prolong caution on hiring and capex, while AI tools and tightening capacity may gradually reshape rates and shipper–carrier collaboration next year.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS SET 2026 HIGHWAY BILL AS TOP TRANSPORT PRIORITY
GOP leaders plan a multiyear highway package alongside broader funding bills; industry advocates highlight combating cargo theft—estimated at $18 million daily—as a parallel priority with safety and emissions rule rewrites on deck.
GDP SURGES 4.3% IN Q3; STRONGER DEMAND SIGNALS BUT INFLATION STILL ELEVATED
The Commerce Department reported the fastest growth in two years on robust consumer, government and export activity—providing a tailwind for freight demand—though inflation remains above the Fed’s target, tempering optimism.
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