Trump Opens the Door to Red Diesel — But Truckers Say There’s a Catch

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Diesel prices are hammering truckers, and Washington just tried something pretty unusual to bring some relief.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily allowing highway use of tax-exempt dyed diesel, commonly called “red diesel,” while deferring the federal diesel excise tax on that fuel through the end of 2026. The White House says the move could save drivers as much as $100 per fill in places where state policies line up with the federal action.

Sounds great, right?

Well… truckers have a few questions.

The headline sounds better than the reality

Normally, dyed diesel is intended for off-road equipment such as farm machinery and other equipment. It carries a red dye so authorities can distinguish it from regular on-road diesel.

The new federal order temporarily changes the rules surrounding its highway use and directs federal agencies to work with states and the trucking industry to improve access. Texas had already taken a similar step through Governor Greg Abbott’s September disaster proclamation.

But here’s where things get interesting.

Having permission to use cheaper fuel is one thing. Finding a place to buy it is another.

Truckers still have to find the fuel

FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth spoke with North Texas trucker Joel Rifkin, who operates Run Amok Transportation and hauls horses.

Rifkin told FOX 4 that his operation can spend around $3,000 a day per truck on fuel. That makes any legitimate fuel savings worth paying attention to.

But he questioned whether the new policy would actually help his operation because most of the major truck stops his drivers depend on don't generally stock dyed diesel.

That means a trucker could technically have access to the cheaper fuel but still have trouble finding it where the truck actually needs to fuel.

Some locations in Texas do sell off-road diesel, but FOX 4 reported that major national truck-stop chains such as Love's, Pilot Flying J, TA and QuikTrip generally don't stock it.

And then there’s the red-dye problem

This is the part that deserves a giant flashing warning sign.

Red diesel isn't just regular diesel with a different name. It's visibly dyed so authorities can identify fuel intended for off-road use.

And according to FOX 4's reporting, that dye can remain in a truck's tanks, fuel lines and filters for an extended period.

That creates a question for truckers who use the temporary relief: What happens when the

Rifkin specifically raised concerns about inspections and potential penalties after the temporary program ends because traces of red dye could remain in the fuel system.

That's not something an owner-operator wants to discover during a roadside inspection.

Livestock haulers have another problem

Fuel economy isn't as simple as telling every trucker to slow down and save fuel.

Rifkin explained that livestock haulers have customers — and animals — riding behind them. Slowing a truck enough to gain fuel mileage can also add hours to a trip.

For livestock, that's a very different calculation than hauling a load of pallets.

Saving fuel matters. But so does getting the livestock where they're going safely and on time.

So, is this actually good news for truckers?

Yes — but with an asterisk the size of Texas.

The federal government has created a temporary opportunity to reduce one of trucking's biggest operating expenses. The White House says the federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon, meaning the potential savings can add up quickly on large fuel purchases.

But fuel availability, state rules, distribution infrastructure and the eventual return of normal dyed-diesel rules all matter.

This isn't a magic button that suddenly turns $6-plus diesel into cheap fuel for every trucker.

The bottom line

Truckers don't need another headline telling them fuel is cheaper. They need cheaper fuel they can actually buy without creating another compliance headache.

Trump's order could provide meaningful relief for some carriers, particularly where dyed diesel is readily available and state policies cooperate.

For other truckers, the biggest benefit may depend on what happens next: whether more fuel stations begin offering dyed diesel, whether states fully participate, and how regulators handle the red-dye issue when the temporary relief ends.

In trucking, the fine print isn't really fine print.

It's the difference between saving money and getting burned by the savings.

Want to know more about trucking?

If you're thinking about getting into trucking and want the real-world information before you climb into that driver's seat, check out LifeAsATrucker.com.

And if you're already trucking and want to learn how to build an online income stream during your off-duty time, visit TruckingOffDutyMoney.com. Because having a backup plan is a whole lot easier when you build it before you need it.

Source: FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, “North Texas truckers react to Trump order allowing off-road diesel,” October 6, 2026.