ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – The average price of diesel in the Roanoke Valley has reached $5.13, a 50% increase over the past six months, according to the Virginia Trucking Association. The surge is affecting independent truckers and driving up costs for consumers.
Six months ago, filling up a big rig cost around $200. Today, that same fill-up runs $600. Unlike drivers employed by large carriers, independent owner-operators have no company account to offset the increase.
Carl Silvernail, a company driver for R.O. Harrell, said larger carriers have more flexibility to weather price swings…