How a bulk diesel price gets built
A delivered diesel price is a stack of parts. Knowing the parts makes two quotes easier to compare.
The rack is the starting point
Distributors buy fuel at a terminal, often called the rack. The rack price follows the wholesale market and can change daily, so a quote is usually tied to the day it was given.
Ask whether a quote is a fixed price for a date or a formula, such as rack plus a set amount. Both are common. They behave differently when the market moves.
Freight, taxes and fees
Getting fuel from the terminal to your tank costs truck time. Distance, drop size, and access at your site all feed into freight.
Federal and state fuel taxes apply to clear on-road diesel. Dyed diesel is for off-road use only and is taxed differently. Ask the distributor to show taxes as their own line so you can see the fuel price alone.
Why two quotes differ
A small drop spreads the truck's cost over fewer gallons. After-hours windows, wet-hosing equipment, and remote sites add time. One company may roll these into the per-gallon price while another lists them as separate charges.
Compare the total delivered cost for your real gallons, not just the headline per-gallon number.
Questions
Can I lock a diesel price?
Some distributors offer fixed or contract pricing. Ask what volume and term they need.
Why did my price change from last week?
The rack moves with the wholesale market. A rack-plus quote follows it.