SNOW SQUALLS AND HEAVY RAIN DISRUPT NEW YEAR TRAVEL ACROSS U.S.
An Alberta clipper and Arctic front triggered snow squalls and hazardous driving from the Midwest to the Northeast, while Southern California saw rare New Year’s Day parade rain and flood watches. Expect intermittent whiteouts, flash-freeze risks and airport delays in several hubs.
CALIFORNIA DELAYS REVOCATION OF 17,000 COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSES UNTIL MARCH
After a lawsuit by immigrant advocacy groups, state officials postponed enforcement tied to immigrant status checks, averting immediate CDL cancellations for thousands of truckers while legal and policy reviews continue into March 2026.
LOUISIANA BEGINS ENFORCING HANDS-FREE ‘TOUCH’ LAW FOR DRIVERS ON JAN. 1
Police can now ticket drivers holding a phone, with $100 fines for first offenses and higher penalties in school or work zones. Carriers running Louisiana lanes should reinforce hands-free policies and in-cab mount requirements with drivers immediately.
NEW TOLL RATES START TODAY ON 8 DELAWARE RIVER JOINT TOLL BRIDGES
The DRJTBC’s 2026 schedule takes effect Jan. 1 across bridges including I‑78 and I‑80, with higher per‑axle rates for trucks and larger increases for Toll‑By‑Plate versus E‑ZPass users. Shippers and carriers should update routing and cost models for NJ–PA crossings.
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE’S 2026 TOLL SCHEDULE BEGINS JAN. 4; CLASS‑5 RATES RISE ~4%
A 4% increase takes effect Sunday, lifting a common Class‑5 tractor‑trailer toll (E‑ZPass) from $23.16 to $24.12, with Toll By Plate moving from $46.32 to $48.24. The Turnpike cites ongoing debt service obligations funding statewide transportation under Act 44/89 targets.
OHIO TURNPIKE TOLLS INCREASE 2.7% EFFECTIVE TODAY, INCLUDING CLASS‑5 TRUCK RATES
E‑ZPass Class‑5 moves to 22.6¢/mile (from 22.0¢), while cash/credit rises to 28.4¢/mile. Full-trip examples show westbound Class‑5 E‑ZPass at $58.75 and cash/credit at $74.00, reflecting systemwide adjustments for 2026 operating and capital needs.
NEW JERSEY GAS AND DIESEL TAXES RISE JAN. 1 TO MEET TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND TARGETS
State Treasury set a 4.2¢/gal increase under 2024’s law, bringing total taxes to 49.1¢ for gasoline and 56.1¢ for diesel per gallon. Fleets running Garden State routes should expect higher fuel outlays and adjust fuel‑buy strategies accordingly.
MICHIGAN OVERHAULS FUEL TAX: SALES TAX REMOVED; MOTOR FUEL TAX SET AT 52.4¢/GAL FOR 2026
Effective today, Michigan shifts to a simplified cents‑per‑gallon system indexed to inflation, setting gasoline and diesel at 52.4¢/gal and ending sales/use tax on eligible fuels. IFTA motor carrier fuel tax mirrors the 52.4¢ rate for 2026 reporting and remittance.
USPS CLOSED NEW YEAR’S DAY; ONLY PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS OPERATES IN LIMITED AREAS
Post Offices are closed and there are no regular deliveries or blue box collections on Jan. 1. Shippers should plan for normal retail hours and service to resume Tuesday, Jan. 2, while time‑critical Express items may still move where available.
FMCSA EXTENDS HOS RELIEF FOR HEATING FUELS IN MULTI‑STATE REGIONS THROUGH JAN. 15
A federal regional emergency declaration remains active for several Midwest and Northeast states to support propane, natural gas and heating oil deliveries amid peak winter demand. Carriers must carry the order and comply with all non‑exempt safety regs while operating under relief.
CALIFORNIA CLEAN TRUCK CHECK FEE RISES TO $32.13 FOR 2026 COMPLIANCE DEADLINES
CARB adjusted the annual compliance fee under the Heavy‑Duty Inspection and Maintenance program, effective with deadlines on/after Jan. 1, 2026. The Clean Truck Check applies to most >14,000‑lb vehicles operating in California and includes annual fees and periodic emissions tests.
CALIFORNIA’S AB 98 TAKES EFFECT: INLAND EMPIRE CITIES MUST DESIGNATE TRUCK ROUTES
Beginning in 2026, warehouse‑dense Riverside and San Bernardino counties face new state rules requiring mapped freight corridors to steer heavy trucks away from residential areas. Fleets serving SoCal warehouses should monitor updated city routing maps and signage as they roll out.
OIL POSTS BIGGEST ANNUAL DROP SINCE PANDEMIC, EASING EARLY‑2026 FUEL PRESSURES
Crude ended 2025 down nearly 20% amid oversupply and softer demand, with analysts eyeing the low‑$60s for Brent into early 2026. For carriers, lower crude underpins diesel price relief even as some states raise fuel taxes and tolls this month.
EIA: DISTILLATE STOCKS JUMP AS REFINERS RUN HARD INTO YEAR‑END; CRUDE INVENTORIES DECLINE
For the week ended Dec. 26, distillate inventories rose ~5 million barrels on strong utilization, while crude stocks fell 1.9 million barrels. The build offers near‑term support for diesel availability heading into January, though seasonal swings and weather remain wildcards.
NWS ISSUES SNOW SQUALL WARNINGS ACROSS MID‑ATLANTIC AND NORTHEAST EARLY JAN. 1
Short‑fused squall warnings hit multiple counties in MD, VA, WV, PA and NY with 45–65 mph storm motion, sudden whiteouts and flash‑freeze potential. Truckers should slow down, avoid abrupt lane changes, and consider staging until bands pass.
This daily digest was prepared exclusively for TruckStopInsider.com. Republishing is permitted only with proper credit and a link back to the original source.
