Diesel fuel prices increased slightly this week to reach $2.53/gal. nationwide. It is the first hike since June 29, when the average price completed a month-long rise to $2.61/gal. Last week, the price was $2.50/gal. and a year ago at this time, it was $4.50.

Meanwhile, a barrel of crude oil was trading near its three-week high of around $68 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, according to Bloomberg.

The Rocky Mountain region actually saw a decrease, the only region to do so, settling at $2.54, down two cents. California remains the highest region at $2.72. The Gulf Coast saw the largest week-over-week increase, jumping five cents to $2.49, although that still is the lowest price in the country.

The Midwest, at $2.50, and the Lower Atlantic, at $2.51, also puts theme near the bottom of the range. The Central Atlantic region is at $2.64; the West Coast at $2.62; New England at $2.61, and the East Coast at 2.55.