Truckers working for peanuts amid surging fuel prices

close video Diesel disaster: Truckers working for peanuts amid surging fuel prices

A diesel supply crunch and surging prices has Las Vegas truck drivers worried about how to make ends meet and warn that small trucking businesses could fold.

Truck drivers told Fox News they're struggling to make money as diesel prices surge amid a worsening shortage.

"You're really not making the money you were making before," Chris, a Las Vegas-based truck driver, told Fox News. "You're barely getting by right now."SEE HOW RISING DIESEL PRICES ARE IMPACTING AMERICAN TRUCKERS: close video Diesel disaster: Truckers working for peanuts amid surging fuel prices

A diesel supply crunch and surging prices has Las Vegas truck drivers worried about how to make ends meet and warn that small trucking businesses could fold.

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"The only people that will survive are the bigger companies," he continued. "The smaller ones won't make it."

The U.S. had only 25 days of reserve diesel supply as of Oct. 14, a low not seen since 2008, the Energy Information Administration reported this week. National Economic Council Director Brian Deese told Bloomberg TV the depleted reserve is "unacceptably low" and that "all options are on the table" to address the situation.

One man who works at a truck stop said that rising diesel fuel prices makes it difficult for independent truckers to make money. ((Fox News Digital/Jon Michael Raasch) / Fox News)

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"We literally work for peanuts right now and nobody can say anything," Kosma, who owns his own trucking company said. "I don't think there's anybody looking out for us."

A gallon of diesel fuel on the West Coast averaged $5.81 on Oct. 31, up $1.49 from a year prior, according to the EIA. 

Diesel-powered trucks stop to refuel in Las Vegas, Nevada. ((Fox News Digital/ Jon Michael Raasch) / Fox News)

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"They can lower the price," Chris said. "They can release oil reserves."

To watch the full video of truckers weighing in on the surging diesel prices, click here.

Isabelle McDonnell contributed to this report