America runs on diesel. It keeps freight moving, factories humming and farmers planting. But a surge in diesel prices is making everything more expensive.
The number of long-haul truckers in the U.S. has reached an all-time high, and many are immigrants. Some truck stops are adapting to provide drivers a taste of home while on the road.
The trucking industry has faced a shortage of drivers for years, but the problem is compounded now with baby boomer retirements, increased freight demands and a high turnover rate.
Once an elite swimmer and a Yale grad, Siphiwe Baleka now coaches 3,000 fellow truckers on the best ways to work out, eat right and stay connected on the road. Drivers say his wellness plan works.
The plunge in gasoline prices is expected to save the average household about $750 this year. For rural families and others who drive a lot, the savings will likely be even greater.
