Diesel and gas prices began to climb just before Independence Day this week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration found that average U.S. diesel prices reached $3.813 per gallon, 4 cents higher than last week and 4 cents higher than this time last year. This is EIA’s first year-over-year increase in diesel prices since May 6.
Every region saw prices rise, though regional diesel price increases ranged from less than a cent to over 6 cents this week. Prices rose most in the Midwest, increasing 0.067 cents to $3.729 per gallon. The smallest increase was in California, by 0.2 cents, to $4.915.
Only two regions had year-over-year price decreases: the West Coast without California had lost 7 cents, whereas the Rocky Mountain Region lost 20 cents.
Despite its slight increase, California remains the most expensive place to buy diesel at $4.915 per gallon, while the Gulf Coast is still the cheapest at $3.549.
See also: Where alt-fuel infrastructure stands today: hydrogen, RD and biodiesel, and natural gas
For comparison, AAA motor club’s national diesel average was $3.804 per gallon, about 1 cent lower than EIA’s estimate. The price was roughly 1 cent more expensive than last week’s AAA price of $3.792 but more than 5 cents cheaper than the previous year’s price of $3.858.
General rise in gasoline prices
Gas prices also increased, according to EIA, though less consistently. For the week of July 1, the average U.S. gas price is $3.479 per gallon, 4 cents more expensive than the previous week but also 4 cents cheaper than last year.
Prices increased for most regions, except for the West Coast and the West Coast without California. Prices for both regions decreased 3 cents to $4.236 and $3.912, respectively.
Like diesel, gasoline prices rose the most in the Midwest: The region saw the cost of gas rise 9 cents to $3.415 per gallon. Prices rose 5 cents in the Gulf Coast to $3.071, 5 cents in the Rocky Mountain region to $3.351, and 2 cents in the East Coast to $3.389. The Gulf Coast is still the cheapest place for gas at $3.071 per gallon, while California is still the most expensive at $4.533.
The AAA motor club’s national average price for gas is $3.491, roughly 1 cent higher than EIA’s estimate. The motor club’s average is roughly 4 cents more expensive than last week but more than 4 cents cheaper than this time last year.
