Average Diesel Price Rises Just a Tenth of a Cent to $3.540

The week's biggest change was a 2.4-cent gain in the Gulf Coast region, which still has the nation's least expensive diesel at $3.227 a gallon. (mauro_grigollo/Getty Images)

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The U.S. average diesel price rose by just a tenth of a cent to $3.540 per gallon for the week ending Dec. 2, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

This negligible increase follows last week’s more significant rise of 4.8 cents, suggesting a potential stabilization in diesel pricing.

Despite this week’s marginal change, diesel is 55.2 cents cheaper than the same week in 2023.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

Nationally, diesel prices are down 55.2 cents, indicating significant savings for transportation and logistics industries. California leads the year-over-year declines with an 82.8-cent drop, while the Rocky Mountain region is second with a 69.7-cent reduction.

U.S. On-Highway Diesel Fuel Prices

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U.S. Energy Information Administration

Regional Analysis

East Coast (PADD 1): The East Coast experienced a modest price increase of four-tenths of a cent, with the regional average rising to $3.597 per gallon. Subregional trends include:

• New England (PADD 1A): Prices declined three-tenths of a cent, bringing the average to $3.773 per gallon — a year-over-year drop of 65.9 cents.

• Central Atlantic (PADD 1B): A sixth-tenths-of-a-cent increase brought the average price to $3.793, reflecting a 66.5-cent decrease compared with 2023.

• Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C): Prices edged up four-tenths of a penny to $3.507 per gallon, maintaining the region’s smallest year-over-year drop of 48.3 cents.

Midwest (PADD 2): Diesel prices in the Midwest declined by 1 cent, bringing the average to $3.521 per gallon. This decline follows last week’s 6.5-cent increase, indicating fluctuating trends. The average price is 50.4 cents lower than a year ago.

Gulf Coast (PADD 3): The Gulf Coast recorded the week’s largest increase at 2.4 cents, pushing the average to $3.227 per gallon. Despite this rise, the Gulf Coast remains the region with the lowest diesel prices in the U.S. Year over year, the average is 51 cents lower.

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PADD — Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts. U.S. Energy Information Administration

Rocky Mountain (PADD 4): The Rocky Mountain region saw the steepest weekly decline, with prices falling 1.9 cents to an average of $3.431 a gallon. Year over year, the region is down 69.7 cents.

West Coast (PADD 5): West Coast diesel prices averaged $4.164 per gallon, down 1.3 cents from the previous week. Subregional highlights include:

• West Coast less California: A 1.6-cent decrease brought the average cost to $3.739 per gallon, reflecting a 67.9-cent year-over-year decline.

• California: Prices fell 1 cent, averaging $4.652 per gallon. California diesel remains the most expensive nationwide, though prices are 82.8 cents lower than the same week last year.

Weather Watch

Severe winter weather, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, could disrupt logistics and increase demand for heating fuels, indirectly impacting diesel markets.

Gasoline Update

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline slipped 1 cent to $3.034, making it 19.7 cents less than at this time a year ago. 

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