Diesel volumes at truckstops increased in September over 2007 volumes, according to a fuel survey conducted by NATSO, an association representing 1,100 truckstops and travel plazas. The September results marked the first year-over-year increase in diesel sales volumes since April and followed a sharp 7.8 percent decline in August.
NATSO’s survey showed that diesel sales at truckstops in September increased 3.17 percent compared with September of 2007. The average diesel volume for a single truckstop location was 830,480 gallons in September, compared with last year’s average volume of 804,972 for the same month.
Diesel volumes experienced a strong start at the beginning of 2008, but increases did not continue through the spring and summer months. In January and February, truckstop diesel volumes increased at a rate of close to 6% year over year.
However, as diesel prices rose, volumes began to decline, and by March sales had dropped by 2.5% over the previous year. Diesel sales slightly recovered in April, increasing just over 2%, but then dropped sharply in May, falling 5.8% compared with May 2007. June diesel sales declined 5.2% compared with June 2007, and July sales dropped 4.5% year over year. Diesel sales at truckstops in August declined 7.8% compared with August of 2007. In the petroleum industry, volume declines of greater than three percent are considered significant.
NATSO is the professional association of America’s $65 billion travel plaza and truckstop industry. It represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.