Diesel prices in the U.S. fell this week, with the national average dropping by 1.8 cents to $3.476 per gallon, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on December 23.

This decline follows last week’s 3.6-cent increase, which came after an 8.2-cent drop on December 9.

Over the last six weeks, diesel prices have fluctuated with three increases and three decreases, resulting in an overall net drop of 1.5 cents per gallon.

Year-Over-Year Comparison
Diesel prices are 43.8 cents lower than the same week in 2023, highlighting a consistent downward trend. California leads the regional declines with a significant drop of 62.2 cents.

Regional Analysis

East Coast (PADD 1):
Diesel prices on the East Coast dipped slightly by 0.7 cents to $3.568 per gallon, aligning with the national trend. However, notable differences emerged across subregions:

  • New England (PADD 1A): Prices inched up by 0.3 cents to $3.757 per gallon, despite recording the sharpest year-over-year decline in the East Coast region at 58.2 cents.
  • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B): A modest increase of 0.2 cents brought prices to $3.763 per gallon, with a year-over-year reduction of 56 cents.
  • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C): Prices dropped 1.1 cents to $3.476 per gallon, mirroring the national average.

Midwest (PADD 2):
Diesel prices in the Midwest were nearly unchanged, slipping just 0.1 cents to $3.449 per gallon. The region has the smallest annual decrease nationwide, with prices down 34.9 cents compared to 2023.

Gulf Coast (PADD 3):
The Gulf Coast recorded a significant weekly decline of 3.6 cents, bringing the average price to $3.154 per gallon. This region continues to offer the lowest diesel prices in the country, down 45.4 cents year-over-year.

Rocky Mountain (PADD 4):
Prices in the Rocky Mountain region dropped 2.9 cents to $3.328 per gallon, representing one of the week’s larger declines. Over the past year, prices have decreased by 58.8 cents, one of the steepest drops nationally.

West Coast (PADD 5):
The West Coast exhibited the most varied price changes this week:

  • West Coast less California: Prices plunged 8.1 cents to $3.645 per gallon, marking the steepest weekly decrease across the U.S.
  • California: Prices edged down 1.7 cents to $4.58 per gallon, maintaining the largest annual drop nationwide at 62.2 cents.

Gasoline Update:
The national average price for gasoline rose slightly by 0.8 cents to $3.024 per gallon, 9.2 cents less than this time last year.