Diesel prices up 3.4 cents to $2.02; West Coast soars

The average national price for a gallon of diesel took a sizable 3.4-cent bump last week to $2.02. Crude oil prices jumped to just over $51 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on concerns of cold weather, the declining dollar, and a possible OPEC production cut, the Associated Press reported.

The West Coast region absorbed the brunt of the price hikes, as the region averaged a 13.1-cent increase to $2.321. This spike gives the region the dubious honor of being the most expensive place to fill up, a crown that New England had held for the past 11 weeks.

New England, now the third most expensive region for diesel, kept the steadiest prices after a 0.1-cent baby step to $2.198. Bargain hunters should fill up in the Gulf Coast region if possible, with prices at $1.943, despite a 2.8-cent bump.