If you have ever requested the same type of shipment twice and received two different prices, the freight itself may not have changed. The market around it may have.

Diesel is one of the clearest examples. Every mile a truck travels consumes fuel, so when diesel becomes more expensive, the carrier’s cost of operating that truck increases. That does not mean every freight rate rises by the same amount, but fuel can become a major part of the pricing conversation very quickly.

What DAT Reported in March 2026

DAT Freight & Analytics reported that national average truckload rates increased in March 2026 and said much of the increase was tied to fuel cost recovery. Average fuel surcharges rose sharply across van, refrigerated and flatbed equipment.

Source: DAT Freight & Analytics, April 14, 2026.

How Fuel Costs Reach a Freight Quote

What Is a Fuel Surcharge?

A fuel surcharge is one way transportation companies account for changes in diesel costs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes diesel price data that is commonly used throughout the transportation industry when fuel pricing is calculated.

There is no single universal surcharge formula. Different carriers and transportation agreements may calculate fuel differently, which is one reason pricing can vary from one shipment or carrier to another.

Fuel Is Important, But It Is Not the Whole Rate

A freight quote is influenced by more than diesel. Available trucks, lane demand, equipment type, pickup and delivery requirements, seasonality, weather and overall freight volume can all affect what it costs to move a load.

Lane and Capacity

If more freight is moving through a market than there are trucks available to haul it, rates can rise. When capacity is plentiful and freight volume is lighter, pricing can move in the other direction.

Equipment Type

Dry van, refrigerated, flatbed and specialized freight all have different operating requirements and capacity conditions. Those differences can affect both fuel recovery and the overall freight rate.

Timing and Seasonality

Produce seasons, holidays, severe weather, construction cycles and periods of heavy manufacturing activity can shift truck capacity quickly. A lane that was easy to cover last month may be tighter today.

What Should Shippers Take From This?

The goal is not to watch the diesel sign every morning and try to predict an exact freight rate. The important takeaway is that transportation pricing is dynamic. When fuel, capacity or demand changes, freight pricing can change with it.

A logistics partner that follows the market can help shippers understand what is driving a quote, compare transportation options and make better decisions instead of looking at price alone.