Diesel prices - truck stops vs regular gas stations

Snowman9000 wrote:
The reason is that the truckstop chains have deals in place with trucking companies. Depending on their size and leverage, the trucking companies are paying very little above the truckstop's cost for the fuel. In any case they are not paying anywhere near the posted price. That price is for anyone else who falls into the truck stop and buys diesel.

Gas stations OTOH don't have the same kind of customer base, there is usually some local price competition, so they view the diesel price differently.

This is based on first hand knowledge of the truck stop industry.

That certainly makes sense. If you're a large trucking company, you have the power to negotiate and save a lot of money. It's a win-win for both parties. The trucking company saves on fuel and the truck stop gets lots of business from hungry truckers needing a shower and some sleep.

The reason is that the truckstop chains have deals in place with trucking companies. Depending on their size and leverage, the trucking companies are paying very little above the truckstop's cost for the fuel. In any case they are not paying anywhere near the posted price. That price is for anyone else who falls into the truck stop and buys diesel.

Gas stations OTOH don't have the same kind of customer base, there is usually some local price competition, so they view the diesel price differently.

This is based on first hand knowledge of the truck stop industry.

Bulk users, such as big trucks that use a lot of fuel, do get considerable discount.

You'd think that they would be cheaper due to bulk sales much like the Walmart model of business. But as you've mentioned, people will pay more when traveling for convenience.

diftw wrote:
We live in Indiana and have noticed the truck stops (Love's/Pilot/Flying J/etc.) are around $0.30/gallon for auto diesel than gasoline stations. Maybe it isn't like that in other states-just wondering if you have noticed that and if so why do you think they do that?

Thanks.

1 stop shop and convenience store close to all the exits. Easy in and out for the big rigs. So people pay it.

I live 4 miles from I-94 here. All the gas stations and truck stop right by the exit are more expensive that the stations 6 miles from the exit.