Fuel Prices Hitting Hard

Driving Is More Expensive

If you're like everyone else in America, fuel is putting a heavy pinch on your wallet. With diesel and gas expected to stay at or above $4 per gallon for a least 12 months, everything seems to be costing more. Groceries, clothes, and utilities are all going up and it's almost entirely tied to the price of oil.

Specifically with high fuel prices though, think about this: the cost of filling up a truck has doubled in the last 3 or 4 years. That has had a direct impact on the cost of transporting goods and trucking driving, meaning buyers and brokers are charging more, and that increase in expense is being passed right on down the line to the consumer. The bottom line is the expense to move and drive goods is much higher now than it was, and someone's got to pay for the increase.

Who's Feeling The Pinch - Drivers

The trickle down effect of high fuel has everything costing more - not just for truck drivers. Food costs are way up, utility costs are up all over America, and people are factoring fuel into travel plans like never before. With expenses going up and inflation kicking in, this country is in a tough spot. Families are feeling the pinch even more having to take kids to school or sports all because fuel prices have gone up more than 300% in the last 10 years. It's not just the transportation and truck driving industry either that's hurting. The Farming industry is feeling the pinch due to high fuel. Farmers were already in trouble and needed subsidies from the government to stay afloat are now having to charge more for the crops they're already struggling to sell for a profit.

Government agencies at all levels are having to spend more and more on transportation due entirely to increased fuel costs. Police officers, soldiers, and school buses are all costing governments and departments more than ever. This causes an increase in local, state, and federal taxes to cover these expenses, again, all due to higher fuel rates. And while all of this is going on, the US consumers are having to pay higher rates at the pump individually. Again, it's a trickle down effect that's very far reaching for the truck driving sector and public.

What To Do - Trucking Or Not

Biodiesel is an alternative, one that comes with a laundry list of issues that this article isn't going in to. Trains are now more efficient due to the amount of cargo they can carry, but there aren't train depots in every city like there are roads for trucking connecting them, which means trucking will continue to thrive - barely.

The best thing to do is try to "buy down" with your life and cut expenses that are not entirely necessary. Some families are cutting of a land line phone because cell phones are so popular - there's a tank of gas saved in terms of dollars (give or take). Don't make a handful of trips to the super market each week either. Instead, make a list and go once because that will mean less miles on your vehicle and less gas spent. If you're looking at buying a new vehicle, consider a fuel saving alternative, but be sure to check the safety ratings as well as calculate your savings - if you're buying a hybrid.

The Bottom Line For Truck Driving

We'll never see $2/gallon gas or diesel again. Kiss it goodbye and get used to expensive fill ups - they're not going anywhere for a long, long time. Try to conserve money whenever possible and really just try to simplify your life. If you're in the truck driving industry, realize that companies have an added strain and the freight you're delivering is even more valuable with higher freight rates.