Diesel prices rise again, by 2.6 cents on average across the U.S.

The average cost for a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide on Monday went up by 2.6 cents compared to a week previous, according to the Energy Information Administration.

On Monday, Sept. 3, the EIA reported the U.S. average price per gallon of diesel cost $3.252.

The average price per gallon for diesel fuel is 49.4 cents higher than a year ago. The year started with an average U.S. price for diesel on Jan. 1 of $2.973.

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

• U.S. – $3.252, up 2.6 cents.
• East Coast – $3.235, up 1.6 cents.
• New England – $3.27, up three-tenths of a cent.
• Central Atlantic – $3.399, up 1.4 cents.
• Lower Atlantic – $3.114, up 2 cents.
• Midwest – $3.191, up 3.8 cents.
• Gulf Coast – $3.035, up 3.1 cents.
• Rocky Mountain – $3.364, no change.
• West Coast – $3.742, up 2.3 cents.
• West Coast, less California, $3.469, up 3.6 cents.
• California – $3.959, up 1.4 cents.

ProMiles reports national average retail price for diesel on Monday jumping nearly 7 cents higher than the week previous. The national average is 50.3 cents higher than a year ago.

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.

The largest average per gallon increase was on the West Coast, where the average diesel price went up 7.8 cents, and in Gulf Coast states, where the price went up 7.7 cents per gallon.

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

• U.S. – $3.205, up 6.9 cents.
• East Coast – $3.251, up 5.3 cents.
• Central Atlantic – $3.268, up one-fifth of a cent.
• Lower Atlantic – $3.458, up 3.2 cents.
• Midwest – $3.168, up 7.1 cents.
• Gulf Coast – $3.069, up 7.7 cents.
• Rocky Mountain – $3.39, up 2.4 cents.
• West Coast – $3.668, up 7.8 cents
• West Coast less California, $3.46, up 5.9 cents.
• California, $3.985, up 6.1.

AAA reports a national average price per gallon for diesel fuel at $3.165 for Tuesday, Sept. 4.

A week previous, the price was $3.146.

A month previous, AAA reported $3.156 per gallon and a year ago $2.659 per gallon.

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