Stuck in 'death valley'? California truckers claim harder hit from fuel prices, see long-haul truckers plucking state's freight.(Transportation: Trucking)

California trucking companies say diesel fuel prices rising far higher than the national average are putting them at a dramatic disadvantage against carriers from other states.

Saying prices at the pump are nearly 35 cents more expensive in the state than the rest of the country, the California Trucking Association said truckers were carrying goods in and out of the state without fueling up.

"California truckers are being forced off their interstate highways, unable to compete with trucks driving in from other states with less expensive diesel fuel," the CTA said.

The association says tougher environmental rules for fuel in the state make diesel …