Filling up a heavy vehicle has become problematic, for some impossible. The cost is hundreds of euros more than at the end of June. The high cost of fuel has thus sparked protests in the road haulage sector, with truck drivers stopping their trucks with blockades on roads and motorways in southern Italy. In addition to circulation, the inconveniences are tangible in supplies: supermarket shelves are starting to empty, especially in the fruit and vegetable departments.
How much does it cost to fill up a truck with the latest diesel prices
According to data from the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy updated to 18 October, the average price of self-service diesel is 2.257 euros per liter on the national road network and rises to 2.298 euros per liter on the motorway. So how much does it cost to fill up a truck?
The capacity of the tanks varies depending on the model and configuration of the truck. A road tractor can have one or more tanks: for example, Volvo indicates tanks from 150 to 900 liters for the FH model and a maximum overall capacity of 1,510 liters for certain 4×2 configurations. The figure can be even higher for trucks equipped with larger tanks. For those with the maximum load, a full tank cost 3,408 euros. And the numbers go up on the highway.
| Liter truck tank | Ordinary network | Motorway |
| 400 | €902.80 | €919.20 |
| 600 | €1,354.20 | €1,378.80 |
| 800 | €1,805.60 | €1,838.40 |
| 1,000 | €2,257.00 | €2,298.00 |
| 1,200 | €2,708.40 | €2,757.60 |
| 1,510 | €3,408.07 | €3,469.98 |
The difference between the prices on the ordinary network and the motorway ones has an impact: for 1,200 liters it is equivalent to 49.20 euros more.
Since June the cost of a full tank has increased by 443 euros
The situation heated up with the latest tensions on the markets caused by the war in Iran and the various blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. On 30 June 2026, self-service diesel cost on average 1.888 euros per liter on the national road network. On October 18th it reached 2.257 euros. The difference is 36.9 cents per litre: an increase of 19.5%.
At petrol stations this means:
- 221.40 euros more for 600 litres;
- 369 euros more for 1,000 litres;
- 442.80 euros more for 1,200 litres;
- 557.19 euros more for 1,510 litres.
How much does a truck spend to travel 100 thousand kilometers
Spending on fuel thus becomes a fundamental item in the balance sheets of companies in the sector. Let’s take an example: a truck that travels 100 thousand kilometres, assuming a constant consumption of 30 liters per 100 kilometres, uses 30 thousand liters of diesel.
With the current average price of 2.257 euros per litre, the theoretical cost would be 677 euros per 1,000 kilometres. Out of 100,000 thousand they make over 67,000 euros. A few months ago, in June, 56,640 euros would have been spent for the same 30 thousand liters: around 11,000 less.
Protest by hauliers: “Losses between 700 and 900 euros per day”
Meanwhile, the truckers’ protest against expensive diesel fuel continues. The mobilization proclaimed by the Sicilian Transport Committee and Fedralog Calabria is scheduled for 16 to 20 October, for a total duration of 120 hours. The protest also affects other areas of the South, with protests and slowdowns in Puglia, Campania and Molise.
The inconveniences are also affecting the distribution of goods: between Naples and Caserta the stoppage has caused traffic difficulties along the A1 and A30, while empty fruit and vegetable stands are starting to be reported in some supermarkets.
In Sicily, the Sicilian Transport Committee has announced a stop to the movement of semi-trailers in ports. The coordinator Salvatore Bella, announcing the stoppage in September, had denounced a now unsustainable situation: “The losses for companies range from 700 to 900 euros per day for each truck”.
Aid for diesel: what the government is doing
In addition to reducing the cost of fuel, companies are asking for answers on economic support. The government has provided a tax credit to offset part of the increased expenditure incurred by trucking companies for diesel purchased between March and August 2026, compared to the February reference price.
The truck protest leaves fuel stations dry and supermarkets empty, but it’s only the beginning: what’s happening
The measure provides for a compensation of up to 70% of the increased eligible expenditure for vehicles and individuals who comply with the established requirements. However, the Ministry of Transport has specified that the overall amount that can be granted exceeds the resources allocated for the measure and that, consequently, the contributions must be remeasured within the available ceiling, equal to 386.2 million euros.
According to Unatras, the coordination of the main national road transport associations, as of 16 October the companies had not yet received the expected financial compensation. To address the emergency, the government convened the road transport associations on Tuesday 27 October at 4pm, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.