U.S. diesel price falls 5.2 cents, $2.781

The national average retail price of a gallon of diesel declined for the third consecutive week, this time falling 5.2 cents to $2.781 for the week ending Monday, Feb. 1. The price, which had climbed 15.3 cents in the three weeks prior to subsequent 0.9- and 3.7-cent declines, is still 53.5 cents higher than the same week last year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

All regions tracked by DOE saw prices decreases. The biggest decrease, 6.0 cents, was found in the Central Atlantic, where prices fell to $2.926. The smallest decrease, 2.0 cents, was found in the Rocky Mountains, where prices declined to $2.797.

The nation’s most expensive diesel by region, $3.017, was found in New England, where prices fell 3.8 cents. The nation’s least expensive diesel by region, $2.731, was found in the Midwest, where prices declined 5.9 cents.

California, which DOE tracks separately for its weekly update, saw a price decrease of 3.7 cents to $2.95; that price is 66.2 cents higher than last year.