Rising Gas Prices
Make Better Accountability
a Fleet Necessity
Diesel Is Above Five Dollars a Gallon and Construction Fleets Need Better Accountability
The national average price of on highway diesel reached $5.313 per gallon during the week of July 27, 2026. That was approximately $1.51 higher than one year earlier, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Construction companies cannot control the market price of diesel. They can control unnecessary miles, excessive idling, unauthorized vehicle use, inefficient dispatching, and company trucks being used for unapproved side work.
Small inefficiencies become expensive
A few unnecessary trips may not attract attention when fuel is inexpensive. At more than five dollars per gallon, recurring inefficiencies can quickly affect project margins.
Potential problems include:
A fuel card can show where fuel was purchased. It cannot always explain why the vehicle traveled a particular route or whether the trip was authorized.
GPS vehicle history provides that missing context.
Use real time fleet tracking
GPS and Track offers hardwired and OBD fleet GPS trackers that provide real time locations, routes, stops, starts, mileage, speed information, geofence alerts, and detailed history reports. The fleet platform can also report engine and idle activity when supported by the device and installation.
Managers can use this information to address repeated patterns rather than reacting to a single trip.
For example, route history may show that a truck regularly travels far outside its assigned service area. Stop reports may reveal unapproved after hours activity. Current locations can help dispatchers send the closest qualified vehicle instead of selecting a truck based on assumptions.
Powered construction equipment may also be eligible for hardwired tracking that provides location and operating information. Unpowered equipment and trailers can use battery powered trackers for location, movement alerts, and theft protection.
Set clear policies before monitoring
Construction companies should clearly explain their vehicle use and GPS tracking policies to employees. The objective should be safety, efficiency, customer service, asset protection, and accountability. Management should establish approved work hours, service areas, take home vehicle rules, and procedures for personal use. GPS information can then be reviewed consistently against those policies.
GPS tracking will not lower the price displayed at the fuel pump. It can help a construction company identify the avoidable vehicle activity that makes high fuel prices even more damaging. GPS and Track gives construction fleet owners the visibility needed to control the costs that remain within their control.
Want to try it out?
See our platform and trackers in action by checking out our live demo below.