Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices Increase
The U.S. average retail price for a gallon of gasoline shot up 6 cents from last week to $2.87 per gallon and was $0.20 per gallon higher than last year at this time. The increase was most pronounced in the Midwest, where the gasoline price soared 13 cents versus the previous week. Prices on the Gulf Coast gained four cents, followed by a three cent rise on the East Coast. Relative to the rest of the country, price increases in the Rocky Mountains and on the West Coast were muted, with each region seeing a gain of less than penny from the week before. Prices on the West Coast remained the highest in the country at $3.08 per gallon.
The average retail diesel price was a nickel higher than last week, with the national average for a gallon of diesel now up to $3.12 per gallon, $0.32 higher than last year at this time. Prices in the Rocky Mountains led way, gaining six cents versus last week. Comparable to the national average, the East Coast, Midwest, and Gulf Coast regions each registered a gain of about a nickel. The diesel price increase on the West Coast lagged the rest of the country, growing three cents from the week before, but like gasoline, remained the highest in the country at $3.27 per gallon.
