A second consecutive weekly decrease has kept the price of diesel within a nickel or so of where it’s been for the first four months of the 2017.
The average U.S. retail pump price for diesel fell 1.2 cents to $2.583 in the May 1 update by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). That’s just 0.3 cents cheaper than the Jan. 2 report, but 31.7 cents higher than this time last year.
Prices trended downward across the country, with a regional exception or two.
On the East Coast, prices were down 0.8 cents on average, even with a slight increase to $2.653 in New England. The price was $2.773 in the Central Atlantic region, and $2.513 in the Lower Atlantic.
On the West Coast, less California, diesel registered a 1.1-cent decrease to $2.775, while California posted a 1-cent dip, to $2.937, the highest price in the lower 48 states.
Diesel was up 0.4 cents in the Rocky Mountains ($2.666), while the price for a gallon in the Midwest fell 1.4 cents ($2.516).
The Gulf Coast saw an decline of a 2.3 cents, to $2.45—the lowest price for a gallon in the country.
The national average price for gasoline was down 3.8 cents to $2.411, 17.1 cents higher than a year ago.
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.