After 10 weeks of declines, diesel inches up
Diesel’s 10-week streak of falling prices is over, according to the U.S. Energy Administration. This week, the average cost of U.S. on-highway diesel fuel is $3.54 per gallon, a $0.013 rise from last week; however, diesel prices are still down $1.05 compared to this time last year.
However, diesel prices didn’t increase in every area of the U.S. Both the East and West Coasts experienced diesel price drops to $3.58 and $4.24, respectively. These were relatively small drops of $0.008 and $0.005. California diesel prices specifically decreased to $4.727.
The rest of the U.S. experienced increases in diesel prices. The most significant rise was in the Midwest, which is up three cents, hitting $3.511. Next was the Rocky Mountain region by two cents to $3.608. The Gulf Coast diesel prices rose by almost two cents to $3.191.
AAA motor club is still tracking U.S. diesel price averages higher than the EIA’s at $3.576. This is down from last week's average of $3.598 and last year’s average of $4.581.
See also: Diesel, gas prices continue downward trend
Gas prices also increase slightly
Gas prices also increased to $3.185, according to the EIA. This is a half-cent increase from last week, though gas prices are still down 65.2 cents compared to this time last year.
Like this week’s diesel prices, gas prices saw the most significant increases in the Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Rocky Mountain areas. Gas prices rose by 7.2 cents in the Midwest, half a cent in the Gulf Coast, and 3.4 cents in the Rocky Mountain area.
The rest of the U.S. saw decreases in gas prices. The biggest drop was on the East Coast, where prices dropped 3.3 cents to $3.052. The West Coast dropped by 2.5 cents to $4.111.
AAA’s gas prices are still slightly higher than the EIA’s calculations at an average of $3.210. Compared to last week, AAA’s average rose from $3.203 to $3.210. However, these numbers are still significantly less than the average gas price from this time last year of $3.847.
“Gasoline prices have been plunging lately, and it is not uncommon to see them take a bit of a breather during hurricane season,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a press release. “Gasoline demand and oil costs are low, so pump prices may soon resume a slow descent. There are 14 states with averages below $3 a gallon, and several more may soon follow.”
