Diesel fuel prices squeezing truckers, farmers and companies but shoppers will also pay the price

Ricardo Guerrero, a Cicero resident running three Mexican food trucks in Chicago, faces rising costs after diesel prices hit record highs. The average cost of diesel in the Chicago metro area reached $6.30 a gallon on May 15, up 71% from last year’s $3.63, according to GasBuddy. Guerrero now spends over $800 weekly to fuel his trucks, up from $500, forcing him to cut planned expansions. The price surge follows Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway where 20% of global oil passes. The UN Conference on Trade and Development reports a 95% drop in daily ship traffic, causing unprecedented oil industry disruptions. President Donald Trump condemned Iran’s move, calling the Strait an international waterway that should remain free of tolls. Trucking companies like HMD Trucking in Chicago Ridge are adjusting operations to mitigate costs. The firm is analyzing routes for cheaper fuel states and eliminating less profitable ones while accelerating its shift to renewable energy. It plans to add Tesla EV Semis later this year to reduce reliance on diesel. Experts warn diesel’s impact will be broader than gasoline, affecting food, goods, and daily essentials transported by truck or rail. Dana Regan of TranzAct Technologies noted that diesel prices ripple through supply chains, hitting consumers indirectly. Nationally, diesel prices remain near record highs, with the U.S. average at $5.64 a gallon, just 19 cents below the 2022 peak of $5.83.