April 2024 Diesel Fuel Update: Costs Drop in All U.S. Regions

What are the current diesel fuel prices in the U.S.? How do they compare to the past? According to the latest report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), national average diesel fuel costs for fleets have decreased slightly across all five regions of the country.

Heading into the fourth week of April, the U.S. national average diesel fuel price dropped slightly to just over $3.99 per gallon as of April 22, 2024. This recent per-gallon diesel pricing represents a more than 2-cent decrease from last week and a decrease of over 12 cents compared to the previous year.

The East Coast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, and West Coast regions all saw price drops this week. The New England portion of the East Coast had a slight increase, less than 2 cents, while the Central Atlantic area reported a small decrease, and the Lower Atlantic had a nearly 4-cent decrease.

The Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Rocky Mountain areas all remained below $4 per gallon.

Average diesel fuel prices reported as of April 22, by region, are:

• East Coast: $4.05
• Midwest: $3.94
• Gulf Coast: $3.71
• Rocky Mountain: $3.88
• West Coast: $4.66

U.S. Regional Diesel Fuel Prices Dip as of April 16, 2024

What are the current diesel fuel prices in the U.S.? How do they compare to the past? According to the latest report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), national average diesel fuel costs for fleets have decreased slightly across all regions of the country.

Heading into the third week of April, the U.S. national average diesel fuel price dipped to just over $4.02 per gallon as of April 16, 2024. This recent per-gallon diesel pricing represents a just over 4-cent decrease from last week and a decrease of just over 10 cents compared to the previous year. 

The New England portion of the East Coast region was the only area to see a slight increase, but overall, New England saw a small decline across all three of its regions. The Gulf Coast region, which saw the highest increase last report, saw one of the highest decreases this reporting cycle of 5 cents per gallon compared with last week.

Once again, the Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Rocky Mountain regions dipped below the $4 per gallon mark (only the Gulf Coast held that distinction last week). 

Average diesel fuel prices reported as of April 16, by region, are:

• East Coast: $4.07
• Midwest: $3.97
• Gulf Coast: $3.71
• Rocky Mountain: $3.96
• West Coast: $4.70

U.S. Regional Diesel Fuel Prices Rise as of April 8, 2024

Heading into the second week of April, the U.S. national average diesel fuel price rose to just over $4.06 per gallon as of April 8, 2024. This recent per-gallon diesel pricing represents a close to 7-cent increase from last week and a decrease of just over 3 cents compared to the previous year. 

The Gulf Coast region, which saw the highest decrease last report, saw the high increase this round, rising 9 cents per gallon. Only the Gulf Coast sees average diesel prices below the $4 per gallon mark. 

Average diesel fuel prices reported as of April 8, by region, are:

• East Coast: $4.12
• Midwest: $4.00
• Gulf Coast: $3.76
• Rocky Mountain: $4.01
• West Coast: $4.72

U.S. Regional Diesel Fuel Cost Dips as of April 1, 2024

It's not a joke, people! As of April 1, 2024, the U.S. national average diesel fuel price dipped to just under $4 per gallon. This recent per-gallon diesel pricing represents a 3-cent decrease from the last report and a decrease of just over 10 cents compared to the previous year.

The Gulf Coast region saw the highest decrease compared to the previous week, dipping more than 4 cents per gallon compared with last week. Digging deeper into each area, while the West Coast saw an overall drop, California diesel is up just over 17 cents compared to the previous year.

Average diesel prices as of April 1, by region, are:

• East Coast: $4.08
• Midwest: $3.95
• Gulf Coast: $3.67
• Rocky Mountain: $3.95
• West Coast: $4.65

What's Happening with 'Wobbling' Gasoline Prices?

National average gasoline prices continue to rise, settling at $3.64, with expectations of a continuing seasonal increase. This is still down about 2 cents compared with one year ago but a rise of 20 cents compared with just one month prior. 

According to the AAA, despite ominous overseas news, a pop in domestic gasoline demand, and oil prices rising to the mid-$80s per barrel, the rise in gasoline prices was nominal.   

“Renewed Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure and increasing tension in the Middle East spiked oil prices recently,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “And with the cost of oil accounting for roughly 60% of what we pay at the pump, there will likely be some upward pressure on prices.”     
According to new data from the EIA, gas demand rose while total domestic gasoline stocks decreased. Higher demand and rising oil prices will likely nudge pump prices higher. 

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