--- title: "Texas Declares Statewide Disaster to Combat Record Diesel Prices" date: "2026-09-29" modified: "2026-09-29" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/texas-declares-statewide-disaster-to-combat-record-diesel-prices" categories: - "News" - "Trucks" tags: - "Commercial" --- # Texas Declares Statewide Disaster to Combat Record Diesel Prices ![NORTREES, TEXAS - AUGUST 13: A person prepares to refuel their semi-truck on August 13, 2026 in Nortrees, Texas. Diesel prices continue to climb as several international conflicts across several regions disrupt the global fuel supply chain. Tensions involving Iran have severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Ukrainian attacks of Russian refineries have further strained fuel exports from the region.]() *\Brandon Bell/Getty Images\* Texas is taking drastic measures to ease pain at the pump for its commercial trucking industry. On Monday, Governor Abbott [issued a statewide disaster proclamation]() and announced that the state would temporarily waive restrictions on using dyed diesel fuel on the highway, giving agricultural operators a little extra headroom against [high diesel prices](). According to [AAA's gas price tracker](), the average price of diesel in Texas is hovering around $6.43 per gallon. That's actually down about $0.10 from last week, but it's still 75% higher than the average per-gallon cost a year ago ($3.68). Dyed diesel is commonly referred to as farm-use or off-road diesel and is not subject to fuel taxes (meant to support road maintenance and construction). It is available to certain commercial (usually agricultural) outfits strictly for use on their properties and is not normally legal to use on-road. “Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” Governor Abbott said in the proclamation. “Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family. Farmers and truckers can now use dyed diesel on Texas roads, and fuel, crop, and timber loads can move at a higher weight. These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store." The proclamation "suspends state restrictions and associated penalties so operators can use such fuel on Texas roads," the governor's office said; however, it does not waive the underlying diesel fuel tax. Translation? You'll still be [paying full price]() at your local retail pump. Only those who already qualify for tax-exempt fuel can purchase it; the disaster doesn't make an exception for non-commercial buyers. This is good news for Texas farmers, certainly, but it's little more than a temporary stopgap. With winter just around the corner, diesel fuel is about to feel the annual pinch of heating oil demand. With the global geopolitical situation still in flux, North America could be in for a very expensive holiday season. *Got a story tip? Let us know at tips@thedrive.com!* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()