Diesel Rises 7/10 Cent to $2.228

The average retail price of diesel fuel last week rose seven-tenths of a cent to $2.228 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The price leveled off just one week after a major turnaround. Diesel had been falling since July until it rose an average of 13.1 cents in the week ending March 30. In the week ending April 6, the gain of less than a penny reflected a calm unlike the galloping panic exhibited in 2007 when the last surge began.

Prices were highest on the West Coast, where drivers paid $2.311 per gallon, up 2.9 cents from a week earlier and down $1.741 from a year ago.

The nation’s lowest prices were in the Midwest. Diesel sold for an average $2.178 per gallon, up two-tenths of a cent from the previous week and down $1.739 from a year ago.

The biggest change was in the Rocky Mountains, where diesel leaped 6.7 cents to $2.213 per gallon, still down $1.761 from last year at this time.

On the East Coast, diesel actually fell on average, just two-tenths of a cent to $2.279 per gallon and down $1.726 from a year earlier.