One index shows tiny drop in U.S. diesel prices at pump; another charts a 6-cent fall

The average price per gallon of diesel fluctuated just fractions of a cent across the U.S. and in each region, according to the Energy Information Administration.

On Monday, May 28, the EIA reported the U.S. average price per gallon of diesel cost fell three-tenths of a cent.

The U.S. average price per gallon of diesel is 72.1 cents higher than a year ago.

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

• U.S. – $3.285, down three-tenths of a cent
• East Coast – $3.282, down a half cent
• New England – $3.302, down a half cent
• Central Atlantic – $3.442, down one-tenth of a cent
• Lower Atlantic – $3.166, down four-fifths of a cent
• Gulf Coast – $3.055, up one-tenth of a cent
• Rocky Mountain – $3.359, up three-fifths of a cent
• West Coast – $3.784, no change
• West Coast less California – $3.508, down three-fifths of a cent
• California – $4.003, up three-fifths of a cent.

ProMiles reports national average retail price for diesel on Monday being six cents lower than the week previous. Data from ProMiles also shows lower average prices in all regions.

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. – $3.23, down 6 cents
• East Coast – $3.291, down 3.8 cents
• New England – $3.293, down 6.2 cents
• Central Atlantic – $3.488, down 5.3 cents
• Lower Atlantic – $3.193, down 3.6 cents
• Midwest – $3.20, down 3 cents
• Gulf Coast – $3.084, down 3.8 cents
• Rocky Mountain – $3.357, down 5.2 cents
• West Coast – $3.658, down 4 cents
• West Coast less California – $3.459, down 2.6 cents
• California – $3.996, down 1.3 cents

AAA reports a national average price per gallon for diesel fuel at $3.211 for Monday, June 6.

A week ago, the price was $3.213.

A month ago, AAA reported $3.074 per gallon and a year ago $2.511per gallon.

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