Diesel Price Bumps Up 1.2¢ to $3.677 a Gallon

The national average price of diesel fuel has risen slightly to $3.677 per gallon, marking a 1.2-cent increase as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This increase, although modest, is a change from the previous two weeks where prices only rose by a total of 0.6 cents. Despite the uptick since early January, the current diesel price remains significantly lower than it was a year ago, with a decrease of 43.2 cents compared to the same time in 2024. Regionally, diesel prices showed variability with three of the five Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts experiencing increases. Notably, the East Coast observed the largest increase of 3 cents, particularly driven by a 5.1-cent rise in the New England subregion. Conversely, the Rocky Mountain region experienced a decline of 1.8 cents, while the West Coast (excluding California) saw a 2-cent drop. In terms of gasoline prices, the national average saw a slight rise to $3.148 per gallon, which is still 12.1 cents lower than one year ago. From an expert perspective in transportation, fluctuations in diesel prices can have a substantial impact on logistics and freight costs. Increased diesel prices may influence the price of goods as transportation companies often pass higher fuel costs onto consumers. Moreover, regions experiencing stronger price increases may see reduced competitiveness in trucking services. Long-term planning for transportation budgets is crucial for businesses relying on freight services to mitigate the effects of these volatile fuel prices.