Diesel fuel indexes differ on direction of slight price swings

By one index, the average cost of diesel fuel across the U.S. went up slightly and by another it went down.

According to the federal Energy Information Administration, the average cost for a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide on Monday, Sept. 24, was almost a half cent per gallon higher than a week previous.

However, mileage-tracking software company ProMiles reported the U.S. average being almost a half cent lower.

In addition, while ProMiles reports prices in the West Coast without California being more than 4 cents lower, the EIA reports no change.

AAA reports prices on Monday for diesel slightly lower than last Monday.

The average price per gallon for diesel fuel is 48.3 cents higher than a year ago, according to EIA data.

Following are the average prices by region as reported by the EIA for Monday:

• U.S. – $3.271, up three-tenths of a cent.
• East Coast – $3.254, up one-fifth of a cent.
• New England – $3.27, up three-tenths of a cent.
• Central Atlantic – $3.416, up one-tenth of a cent.
• Lower Atlantic – $3.136, up one-tenth of a cent.
• Midwest – $3.218, up 1 cent.
• Gulf Coast – $3.052 down two-fifths of a cent.
• Rocky Mountain – $3.355, down four-fifths of a cent.
• West Coast – $3.759, up two-fifths of a cent
• West Coast less California – $3.473, no change
• California – $3.986, up seven-tenths of a cent.

ProMiles reports national average retail price for diesel on Monday being not quite a half cent lower from the week previous. The average West Coast price without California was 4.4 cents lower than a week before.

Despite the average price for diesel fuel in California being up a full penny, on Monday the average price for diesel on the West Coast was 2.9 cents lower than a week previous.

ProMiles, the software company that maintains the websites ProMiles.com and TruckMiles.com, offers its own weekly fuel price information. The company’s fuel price data are presented in the same format used by the EIA in the agency’s weekly reports. The prices include a national average as well as regional averages, and comparisons to the previous week and the previous year.

A key difference between the EIA and ProMiles reporting is the type and number of fueling stations the company surveys in order to calculate its averages. While EIA surveys 400 truck stops and convenience stores nationwide, ProMiles uses its direct feed from thousands of truck stops to develop its averages.

Following are the average prices by region as reported by the ProMiles.com:

• U.S. – $3.198, down two-fifths of a cent
• East Coast – $3.24, down 1.3 cents
• New England – $3.253, up one-fifth of a cent
• Central Atlantic – $3.432, up one-tenth of a cent
• Lower Atlantic – $3.14, down 1.5 cents
• Midwest – $3.173, up a half cent
• Gulf Coast – $3.065, down three-tenths of a cent
• Rocky Mountain – $3.35, down 1.1 cents
• West Coast – $3.62, down 2.9 cents
• West Coast less California, $3.38, down 4.4 cents
• California, $3.977, up 1 cent.

AAA reports a national average price per gallon for diesel fuel at $3.184 for Monday, Sept. 24.

A week previous, the price was $3.186.

A month previous, AAA reported $3.142 per gallon and a year ago $2.721 per gallon.

The highest recorded average price for diesel was $4.845 per gallon on July 17, 2008, according to AAA.