The national average price of diesel fell by 3 cents to $3.491 per gallon, marking its third consecutive decrease, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration released on November 18. Since October 28, the average price has dropped by 8.2 cents nationwide.

Year-over-Year Change

Compared to the same week in 2023, the current U.S. average is 71.8 cents lower. California saw the most significant year-over-year drop, with prices down by 98.1 cents per gallon.

Regional Diesel Price Trends

  • East Coast (PADD 1): Diesel prices fell by 2.7 cents to an average of $3.552 per gallon, down 60.3 cents compared to last year. Subregional highlights include:
    • New England (PADD 1A): Prices edged up 0.4 cent to $3.751, the only area with an increase. Still, prices are 70.6 cents lower than the same time last year.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B): A 3.5-cent decrease brought the average to $3.772, with a year-over-year drop of 69.9 cents.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C): Prices dropped 2.7 cents to $3.451, reflecting a 55.6-cent decrease from 2023.
  • Midwest (PADD 2): Prices in the Midwest fell 3.8 cents to $3.466 per gallon, totaling a 10.3-cent decline over three weeks and a 74.1-cent reduction year over year.
  • Gulf Coast (PADD 3): The region, which typically has the lowest prices, saw a 1.7-cent decrease to $3.153 per gallon, now 68.8 cents below last year’s levels.
  • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4): This region experienced the largest weekly decline, with prices dropping 6.7 cents to $3.458 per gallon, a reduction of 81 cents compared to the same week in 2023.
  • West Coast (PADD 5): Prices averaged $4.149 per gallon, a decrease of 3.1 cents. Subregional details:
    • West Coast less California: A 5.1-cent decline brought prices to $3.706, down 86.5 cents year over year.
    • California: Prices fell 0.7 cent to $4.659, a 98.1-cent drop from 2023, the largest year-over-year decrease in the nation.

Gasoline Update

The national average gasoline price decreased slightly by 0.6 cents to $3.046 per gallon, 24.3 cents lower than this time last year.