The national average diesel price rose by 4 cents, reaching $3.584 per gallon, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on October 7. This is the third consecutive increase, adding up to a total rise of 5.8 cents. The recent gains follow a period of 10 straight weeks of declining prices.

Compared to last year, the national average diesel price is now 91.4 cents lower, continuing a trend of significant year-over-year decreases.

Gasoline Update
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline decreased by 4.3 cents, bringing it to $3.136 per gallon. This is 54.8 cents lower than the price at the same time last year.

Regional Analysis

  • East Coast (PADD 1): Diesel prices in this region saw a slight drop of 0.8 cents, now standing at $3.563 per gallon. The subregions within the East Coast experienced varied price movements:
    • New England (PADD 1A): Prices fell by 2.3 cents to $3.765 per gallon. Year-over-year, prices are down by 81.2 cents, thanks to improved supply and lower heating oil demand.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B): This subregion saw a 1.9-cent increase, bringing the price to $3.821 per gallon, still 90 cents lower than the same time last year.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C): Prices continued to decrease by 1.6 cents, now at $3.447 per gallon, with a year-over-year drop of 90.2 cents.
  • Midwest (PADD 2):
  • The Midwest experienced the largest regional increase, with diesel prices rising by 6.7 cents to $3.587 per gallon. This jump is largely due to seasonal factors like increased demand during the harvest. Despite the rise, prices remain 78.9 cents lower than the same time last year.
  • Gulf Coast (PADD 3):
  • Diesel prices in the Gulf Coast went up by 5.4 cents, bringing the cost to $3.266 per gallon. As the country’s main refining hub, the Gulf Coast typically has lower prices compared to other regions. However, the latest increase reduces the year-over-year decline to 87.3 cents.
  • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4):
  • Diesel prices in the Rocky Mountain region edged up by 0.8 cents to $3.620 per gallon. This region continues to show price stability, partly due to its geographic isolation from major distribution networks. Prices are now $1.097 lower than a year ago, the biggest year-over-year decline among all regions.
  • West Coast (PADD 5):
  • On the West Coast, diesel prices increased by 3.5 cents, reaching $4.261 per gallon.
  • West Coast less California: Prices rose by 4.4 cents to $3.841 per gallon, with a year-over-year decline of $1.252.
  • California: Diesel prices, the highest in the nation, rose by 2.3 cents to $4.742 per gallon, reflecting a $1.436 decrease compared to last year.