The average retail price of No. 2 diesel fuel rose 6.8 cents last week to $2.266 per gallon, continuing a nearly unbroken streak since February 15 that has lifted diesel’s price more than 14.4%.
U.S. Energy Department numbers show last week’s greatest price increase in the Midwest, where average prices rose 7.6 cents to $2.232 per gallon. The week held similar gains:
- On the West Coast – 7.5 cents to $2.481
- In the Lower Atlantic – 7.3 cents to $2.232
Since diesel’s price streak began in mid-February (prices have slipped only one week since then), the Rocky Mountain region’s 38.9-cent increase – a 20.9% leap – has been the nation’s largest, followed by:
- The Midwest – 32.4 cents, or 17.0%
- The West Coast – 32.4 cents, or 15.4%
- The Lower Atlantic – 28.5 cents, or 14.6%
Despite these price increases, the national average price of a gallon of diesel fuel remains 58.8 cents less than it was in the same week last year.
The spot price per barrel of Cushing crude oil has jumped 54% since the week of February 15.
