At the end of April, data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicate on-highway diesel fuel prices have decreased, though they are expected to increase again for summer. The week of April 29, the EIA reported the current on-highway U.S. diesel price average at $3.947 per gallon, 4 cents lower than last week and 7 cents lower a year ago.
Diesel prices also fell across the country between 1 and 9 cents per gallon. In the New England subregion, prices fell 1 cent to $4.309 per gallon, while the East Coast and California each saw prices fall 2 cents to $4.025 and $5.216 per gallon, respectively. Meanwhile, the West Coast overall dropped 3 cents to $4.625.
Gasoline prices fall to $3.653/gal.; a nickel more than 2023
Although not by much, the national average for U.S. regular gas prices dropped this week, as did most regional gas prices. The EIA logged current gas prices at $3.653 per gallon, 1 cent lower than a week ago but 5 cents higher than last year. Otherwise, price changes varied from 0 to 6 cents across the rest of the country.
Specifically, gas costs were unchanged from last week on the East Coast ($3.540 per gallon). Prices dropped 1 cent in the Midwest to $3.453 per gallon and 3 cents in the Rocky Mountain and West Coast regions to $3.426 and $4.796, respectively. Costs also fell 4 cents on the Gulf Coast to $3.192 per gallon and 6 cents in California to $5.172.
Two of the East Coast’s sub-regions were the only places where gas prices rose this week. In the New England sub-region, costs climbed 3 cents to $3.618, while the Lower Atlantic sub-region saw costs rise by less than a cent. The Gulf Coast is still the cheapest for gasoline at $3.192 per gallon, while California is the most expensive at $5.172.
The AAA and the EIA agreed on gas costs this week, with the motor club logging the current gas average at $3.659 per gallon, which is 2 cents lower than last week and 4 cents more expensive than last year’s $3.615. In a press release, the AAA attributed the dip in prices to lower oil costs and a decrease in domestic demand.
“Domestic gas demand is pretty pokey at the moment, which is often the case in the runup to Memorial Day and the traditional start of summer driving season,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “The recent national average price of $3.67 could be the peak until hurricane season is well underway. But as always, the wildcard will be the cost of oil, so stay tuned.”
This article was originally published on FleetOwner.com.
