Diesel prices rise ahead of July 4

The average cost for a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide rose 2 cents on Monday compared to the week previous, according to the Energy Information Administration.

On Monday, July 2, the EIA reported the U.S. average price per gallon of diesel cost 3.236. The price is 76.4 cents higher than a year ago.

The EIA recorded negligible increases in New England and California, but the average price increase in Rocky Mountain states was 3.7 cents.

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

• U.S. – $3.236, up 2 cents
• East Coast – $3.226, up 1.1 cents
• New England – $3.282, up one-tenth of a cent
• Central Atlantic – $3.39, up 1 cent
• Lower Atlantic – $3.102, up 1.6 cents
• Midwest – $3.171, up 2.8 cents
• Gulf Coast – $3.002, up 2.4 cents
• Rocky Mountain – $3.358, up 3.7 cents
• West Coast – $3.746, up 1.1 cents
• West Coast less California – $3.475, up 2.2 cents
• California – $3.96, up one-tenth of a cent

ProMiles reports national average retail price for diesel on Monday being 1.6 cents higher than the week previous. Data from ProMiles also shows higher average prices in all regions, with decreases ranging from less than a penny per gallon to more than 3 cents.

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. – $3.163, up 1.6 cents
• East Coast – $3.224, up 1.7 cents
• New England – $3.271, up 1.1 cents
• Central Atlantic – $3.437, up three-fifths of a cent
• Lower Atlantic – $3.114, up 1.9 cents
• Midwest – $3.135, up 2 cents
• Gulf Coast – $3.014, up nine-tenths of a cent
• Rocky Mountain – $3.332, up 2.1 cents
• West Coast – $3.62, up 2 cents
• West Coast less California – $3.445, up 3.3 cents
• California – $3.941, up 1.7 cents

AAA reports a national average price per gallon for diesel fuel at $3.165 for Monday, July 2.

A week ago, the price was $3.166

A month ago, AAA reported $3.211 per gallon and a year ago $2.441per gallon.

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