Diesel and gasoline prices rise again: Regional trends every fleet manager should know

After a brief reprieve last week, diesel and gasoline prices rose slightly. The national average on-highway diesel price went up a cent to $3.749, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on September 22. The price of gasoline also increased by 1 cent to $3.173. 

What are the current diesel prices across the U.S.?

Here are this week’s diesel price highlights from each region of the U.S.:

• Rocky Mountain: The biggest rise in diesel prices this week was in the Rockies, up 3 cents to $3.747.
• Midwest: In the Midwest, diesel prices rose 2 cents to $3.731.
• Gulf Coast: Off the Gulf Coast, diesel prices rose 1 cent to $3.400.
• West Coast: Off the West Coast, diesel prices rose 0.1 cents to $4.524. Without including California, diesel prices dropped 1 cent to $4.123.
• East Coast: Off the East Coast, diesel prices dropped 0.3 cents to $3.745.

According to AAA Motor Club (AAA), the current national diesel price average is $3.693. This is 6 cents lower than EIA’s current estimate and 12 cents higher than this time last year.

What are the current gasoline prices across the U.S.?

The current national average on-highway gasoline price is $3.173, according to EIA, 1 cent higher than last week’s average. 

Here are this week’s gasoline price highlights from each region of the U.S.:

• Midwest: The biggest rise in gasoline prices this week was in the Midwest, up 3 cents to $3.008.
• East Coast: Off the East Coast, gas prices rose 1 cent to $3.030.
• Rocky Mountain: In the Rockies, gas prices rose 0.4 cents to $3.184.
• West Coast: Off the West Coast, gas prices dropped 0.1 cents to $4.272. Without including California, gas prices dropped 0.4 cents to $4.059.
• Gulf Coast: Off the Gulf Coast, gas prices dropped 6 cents to $2.716.

According to AAA, the current national gasoline price average is $3.171. This is 0.2 cents lower than EIA’s current estimate and 4 cents lower than this time last year.

In a recent press release, AAA said, “A pipeline outage caused a spike in fuel prices in Oregon and Washington. Up until today [September 18], Washington was the state with the most expensive gas for several days, surpassing California, which is bracing for hikes of its own. Refinery maintenance this fall is expected to lead to decreased production and higher gas prices in the Golden State. Meanwhile, the national average for a gallon of regular went up a penny since last week to $3.20. Even though West Coast drivers are feeling pain at the pump, prices remain relatively low in the Plains and the South.”