Posted: June 9, 2025

Choosing the Right Diesel Fuel

No matter which kind you need, Medway Oil & Propane can help

Let’s say you have a vehicle or piece of equipment that you know is powered by diesel fuel. When that vehicle or piece of equipment needs to be refilled, do you know which type of diesel fuel to fill it with?

Filling up your tank may seem like such a simple thing, but choosing the right type of fuel is actually incredibly important. So let Medway Oil & Propane help you figure out exactly which type you should be using.

The Different Types of Diesel Fuel

There are two different kinds of diesel fuel, and they are each used to power and fuel different things.

On-road diesel fuel goes in trucks, trailers and other vehicles that drive on an actual road, street or highway. You can usually find this type of diesel fuel at your standard gas station. Since it is not made with any colored dye, on-road diesel fuel is sometimes referred to as clear diesel fuel.

Off-road diesel fuel is used mostly to power tractors, earthmovers and construction vehicles – in other words, equipment that usually stays off of a road. It can also provide power to backup generators that are used and needed during a blackout. A red dye is added to off-road diesel fuel so that customers don’t confuse it with on-road diesel fuel and end up putting it in the wrong type of engine.

What Commercial Industries Use Diesel Fuel?

Diesel fuel is most commonly used for commercial purposes. A range of different businesses use it, including the welding industry, construction companies, the agricultural industry, landscaping companies, manufacturing companies and pavers.

You can also often find hospitals, health-care facilities, nursing homes and schools using backup power generators that are powered by diesel fuel.

Why Diesel Fuel Prices Fluctuate

No matter which type of diesel fuel you are using, you should be aware that the cost of the fuel fluctuates. There are a few factors that contribute to this:

• Accessibility: As is the case with any good or product, once diesel fuel becomes less accessible, its price will increase.
• Associated costs: When it costs more to produce, refine, transport and distribute diesel fuel, the cost of diesel fuel itself will be directly impacted.
• Taxes and regulations: The cost of diesel fuel can vary from state to state depending on local state taxes. Additionally, the cost of diesel fuel will be affected by any environmental and safety regulations that are added to its production process.
• Supply and demand: This may go without saying, but when there is more of a demand for diesel fuel, it will cost more. When there is less of a demand, the price will go down.

Get Your Diesel Fuel from Medway Oil & Propane

Medway Oil & Propane offers our customers here in Eastern Massachusetts two ways to get both the on-road and off-road diesel fuel they need:

• Our 24-Hour Access Filling Station: Any customer can access this station 24 hours with a pass code. It is conveniently located at our office at 37 Broad Street in Medway. Keep in mind that fleet fueling is not available at this station.
• Diesel Fuel Delivery Service: With this option, your drivers don’t have to drive and look for a fuel station. Instead, their vehicles and equipment can be filled right on their own worksite.

Contact Medway Oil & Propane so that you can start getting reliable diesel fuel services for your local business today.