Average U.S. fuel prices dropped this week, with diesel dipping the most by just over 2 cents a gallon. However, analysis by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that fuel prices should stay relatively high for the next several months at least.
The U.S. average for diesel dropped to $4.127 per gallon this week from $4.148 per gallon last week, with the largest dip occurring in the Midwest – a 3.4 cent decline to$4.021 per gallon. The Gulf Coast experienced a 2.5 cent decrease to $4.038 per gallon, with California and West Coast both experiencing a 2.2 cent dip to $4.418 and $4.389 per gallon, respectively.
Right now, diesel fuel costs are almost equal to the level experienced at the same time last year, with prices only 2.2 cents higher per gallon during the same week in 2011.
U.S. average gasoline prices also took a slight dive of 1.7 cents to $3.922 per gallon, meaning that prices are now 7.8 cents per gallon higher this week compared to the same period in 2011.
