The national average price for a gallon of diesel rose 2.3 cents to $2.472 for the week ending Jan. 22, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Rising crude oil prices in the high $60s have passed on to retail level, offsetting the price relief provided by relatively warm winter weather.
All regions saw an increase, but it was California that suffered the worst of it as prices jumped 7.1 cents to $2.674. California dethroned New England to take the dubious honor of being the most expensive region to in which purchase diesel—a claim New England alone held for eight consecutive weeks.
Prices held the steadiest in the New England and Central Atlantic regions, rising 0.5 cents to $2.668 and $2.610, respectively. The cheapest diesel was found in the Midwest at $2.423, despite a 1.5-cent climb.