Diesel prices have risen slightly for the fourth week in a row, but the cost for a gallon is still about what it was to start the year.
The average U.S. retail pump price for diesel climbed 0.2 cents in the March 6 report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), to $2.579 per gallon. That’s 0.7 cents cheaper than the Jan. 2 report, but 55.8 cents higher than this time last year.
Regionally, prices were mixed.
Prices on the East Coast were up 0.2 cents, the average of declines in New England (-1.2 cents to $2.633) and in the Lower Atlantic (-0.8 cents, $2.525) against a 0.8 cent gain in the Central Atlantic ($2.78).
On the West Coast, less California, diesel registered a 0.7-cent increase to $2.779 while California posted a price decline, down 0.6 cents to $2.956, the highest price in the lower 48 states.
Diesel was up 4.3 cents in the Rocky Mountains ($2.625), while the price for a gallon in the Midwest rose 0.3 cents ($2.502)
The Gulf Coast saw a drop of 0.4 cents, to $2.429—still the lowest price for a gallon in the country.
The national average price for gasoline was up 2.7 cents for the week, to $2.341. That’s 50 cents higher than last year.
About the Author
Kevin Jones
Editor
Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.
Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.