Winter weather contributes to uptick in diesel prices

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The U.S.’ national average diesel price continues to hover just below the $3 per gallon mark followin  a 2.3-cent increase during the week ending Jan. 8, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.

This week’s increase keeps fuel prices at a 3-year high. The average price of a gallon of diesel is now $2.996 — the highest weekly average since January 2015, when pricing last topped $3 per gallon.

During the most recent week, prices rose in all regions except the Rocky Mountain region, which saw a seven-tenths of a cent decrease. The most significant increase was seen in New England, where prices jumped 6.7 cents, probably because of last week’s winter storm, according to ProMiles’ Chris Lee.

The nation’s most expensive diesel can be found in California at $3.638 per gallon, followed by the Central Atlantic region at $3.209 per gallon.

The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $2.785 per gallon, followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $2.887 per gallon.

Prices in other regions, according to the DOE, are:

  • New England – $3.077
  • Midwest – $2.947
  • Rocky Mountain – $2.974
  • West Coast less California – $3.087

ProMiles’ numbers during the week saw diesel prices jump by 2.1 cents to $2.951 per gallon nationwide.

According to ProMiles’ Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $3.631 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $2.798 per gallon.