Probably not in any broad, predictable way. President Donald Trump’s October 5, 2026, order temporarily permits highway use of red-dyed diesel and defers the federal diesel excise tax through December 31. But the tax is deferred, not clearly forgiven, and fuel sellers may decide the compliance and business risks are not worth taking. The order also does not add diesel to the market, so any savings at the pump remain uncertain.
What Trump’s order changes—and what it does not
Red-dyed diesel is marked for uses generally exempt from the federal highway diesel tax, such as farming and construction. The October 5 order temporarily allows the fuel to be used on roads and defers the federal diesel excise tax for the covered period, through December 31, 2026. It does not, by itself, permanently cancel the tax obligation.
Roll Call reports that current law still requires the deferred federal tax to be paid, while the order does not set a payment deadline. It directs Treasury to explore ways—including legislation—to eliminate that obligation, but whether the deferred amount will ultimately be waived is unresolved. Further Treasury guidance is needed. Roll Call’s report on the order describes the distinction between temporary relief and a permanent tax change.
Reuters reported the federal highway diesel excise tax at 24.4 cents per gallon, plus a separate 0.1-cent-per-gallon charge for the federal Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. The order’s treatment of the highway tax should not be read as eliminating every federal charge, state tax, or other state-level requirement. Reuters’ tax and fuel-market coverage provides the reported figures.
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Why fuel sellers may not offer dyed diesel
Federal permission does not guarantee that a driver will find dyed fuel for highway use at a truck stop. SIGMA, which represents fuel distributors and retailers, told members it did not expect most reputable marketers to sell it for nontraditional uses. Its concerns are practical as well as legal:
- The tax may still come due. A seller faces uncertainty about who will be liable for the deferred amount and when it might have to be paid.
- Dye can linger. Residual dye in tanks can create compliance risk after the temporary period ends, even if a seller stops offering the fuel.
- Retail operations need preparation. Broad sales require sufficient dedicated equipment and supply; not every location can simply switch over.
- State rules differ. A federal order does not make state requirements uniform, particularly for drivers and sellers operating across state lines.
SIGMA put the calculation bluntly: “Ultimately, for most marketers, the liability and customer risk outweigh any temporary, uncertain benefit.” The group’s assessment, reported by Roll Call, is a forecast about participation—not a count of retailers that have already declined.
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State-by-state rules complicate highway use
The order’s federal treatment is only one part of the question for drivers. Roll Call describes state policies as a patchwork: some states have relaxed certain rules, but there is no uniform state approach established by the reporting. A truck route that crosses state lines may therefore encounter different requirements or enforcement conditions.
NATSO, which represents truck stops and travel centers, has also emphasized that Congress may or may not waive the eventual tax obligation. Until federal guidance and state implementation are clearer, drivers should not assume that dyed diesel will be available—or treated the same way—everywhere on a route. CBS News’ coverage of the order also addresses the uncertainty around implementation.
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How much could drivers actually save?
The 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal highway tax is the nominal amount at issue, not a guaranteed discount at the pump. A driver’s actual savings would depend on whether a seller offers dyed fuel, applicable state taxes and rules, how long the deferral lasts, whether the federal amount is later collected, and whether the seller passes any benefit along.
The White House said drivers could save as much as $100 per fill. That is the administration’s projection, not an observed typical saving or an independently established result. The White House also cited Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ estimate of $640 million in federal and state tax savings for farmers in the final quarter of 2026; that, too, is a projection rather than money already saved. The figures and supportive statements appear in the administration’s October 5 fact sheet.
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Agricultural groups welcomed the measure. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said highway use of dyed diesel would bring “welcome relief for farmers” hauling crops and livestock. The American Soybean Association also welcomed the action during the 2026 harvest, according to the White House. Those statements explain why farm groups support the change, but they do not show how much fuel sellers will offer or what farmers will ultimately save.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why lower taxes do not necessarily mean lower diesel prices
The order changes tax treatment and enforcement; it does not create more diesel. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said before the order was finalized, “It does nothing to improve supply or impact price.” After the announcement, Roll Call reported his view that any pump-price effect was likely to be limited and uneven. If supply constraints are driving prices, shifting which fuel can be used on roads does not remove that underlying imbalance.
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That distinction matters for truckers as well as motorists: a temporary tax deferral can offer relief where fuel is available and sellers participate, but it is not a supply policy or a guaranteed retail discount. Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association president and CEO Todd Spencer described the expected benefit as “minimal relief” and said, “Market stability is essential to bring down costs for the long haul.” These are assessments of likely impact, not measurements of savings after the policy took effect.
What drivers and fleet operators should watch
As of October 7, 2026—two days after the reported signing—the order’s ultimate tax treatment, uniform state implementation, retailer participation, and realized consumer savings had not been established in the cited reporting. The practical signals to watch are:
Quick Recap
- Treasury guidance on administration of the deferral and whether the deferred tax may later be collected.
- State rules and enforcement guidance along the specific route or in the state where fuel will be purchased.
- Whether local fuel retailers actually stock and sell dyed diesel for the permitted use.
- The price shown at the pump, rather than a projected maximum saving or the tax amount alone.
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