Alabama Pipeline Explosion Will Mean Higher Fuel Prices in Some States
An explosion in Alabama on what’s said to be the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S. Monday will likely lead to a temporary price spike in diesel and gasoline in the Southeast states served by the pipeline and also may affect the Northeast.

Photo via Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's Twitter feed.

Photo via Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's Twitter feed.
CORRECTED -- An explosion in Alabama on what’s said to be the biggest fuel pipeline in the U.S. Monday will likely lead to a temporary price spike in diesel and gasoline in the Southeast states served by the pipeline and also may affect the Northeast.
The explosion in Shelby County, southwest of Birmingham, which killed one and injured at least five others, happened shortly after 2 p.m. Central time October 31. It was caused when a trackhoe being used by a contract crew working on Colonial’s gasoline pipeline hit the line, according to a statement from owner Colonial Pipeline. Gasoline was ignited and caused a fire, which sparked wildfires that burned more than 30 acres.
Colonial shut down its two mainlines, one of which carries gasoline and the other diesel.
The explosion was a few miles from the location of a September 9 leak that also resulted in the pipeline being shut down. The spill in September shut the line for 12 days.
With the news, gasoline and diesel futures spiked Tuesday morning. According to Tom Kloza with the Oil Price Information Service, around 10 a.m. Eastern time, gasoline prices were up between 5 cents and 12.5 cents east of the Rockies for gasoline, while diesel was up by 5 cents in most markets.
“But it’s still early,” he told HDT in an interview. “Everyone’s waiting to see if this is going to be down for five days, 10 days, 20 days or [longer.]”
Effects mostly will be felt in Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia, and to some extent Alabama, Kloza said. The Northeast also will likely feel the effects, he said, although there are other options there for buying fuel.
“I always talk about how we have a great distribution system and terrific refineries,” Kloza said,” but it operates on a just in time basis, and when something happens to disrupt just-in-time distribution, it’s intolerable.”
Kloza noted that while of course it is a tragedy for those involved, in terms of a fuel price spike, “This is not an apocalyptic event. But it reminds everybody, there's a glut of crude but there’s never really a glut of gasoline and diesel” because of the just-in-time nature of refining in the U.S.
The longer the Colonial mainlines are offline, “the more upward pressure will be placed on U.S. East Coast fuel prices, while downward pressure will be exerted on U.S. Gulf Coast product prices,” Robert Campbell, head of oil products research at Energy Aspects Ltd. in New York, said in a note, according to Bloomberg.
Corrected 5:20 EDT 11/1 to correct date of explosion.
More Fuel

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types
New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.
Read More →
May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines
Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.
Read More →
April Fuel Update: Prices Climb Above $4 as Spring Surge Accelerates
National average jumps to $4.04 per gallon, up sharply from last year, with West Coast prices topping $5 and further increases expected amid rising oil tensions.
Read More →
Tips from Fleet Managers on Saving Fuel Costs
Fleet leaders share practical strategies to reduce fuel spend through smarter policy, routing, and driver guidance.
Read More →
March Fuel Update: Prices Settle With a $4 Average
Fuel prices significantly slowed this week, but a $4 national average is still expected.
Read More →Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: “Don’t Panic — Have a Plan”
With oil prices rising again, AWP Safety’s fleet manager shares how to respond to rising fuel costs and how the right strategy can turn fuel spikes into cost-saving opportunities.
Read More →
Oil Market Turbulence Is Complicating Fleet Cost Planning
Rapid swings in crude oil prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East could create longer-term cost pressures for fleets, affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and vehicle strategy, says NTEA’s Andrew Wrobel.
Read More →Report: How AI Is Reshaping Fleet and Field Service Operations
AI is rapidly transforming fleet and field service operations, from predictive maintenance and intelligent scheduling to customer self-service and real-time diagnostics. But while organizations are seeing measurable gains in uptime, productivity, and efficiency, many are still navigating workforce adoption, cybersecurity concerns, and data readiness challenges. Explore the latest trends, investment priorities, and emerging AI use cases shaping the future of fleet operations.
Read More →
February Fuel Update: Prices Inch Higher for Third Week in a Row
The final February fuel update reveals prices continuing to inch higher for the third week in a row.
Read More →
The 2026 Fuel Economy Guide: Updated Cost and Efficiency Benchmarks for Fleets
Fleet managers can use the DOE’s 2026 Fuel Economy Guide to benchmark MPG across powertrain types using side-by-side vehicle ratings and compare new model-year options.
Read More →