The average price for a gallon of diesel nationally increased 5 cents to $2.244 per gallon last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) -- the highest average since EIA began its survey in 1994.
California pump prices increased the most -- 6.4 cents to average $2.482, making it the most expensive region in the country. All regions experienced an increase, but the West Coast had the smallest (2.9 cents to $2.471).
The EIA anticipates that the growing demand for petroleum worldwide will keep diesel above $2 throughout the remainder of 2005.