Diesel Prices Edge Up in Latest Weekly EIA Report

Diesel Prices Edge Higher While Gasoline Ticks Up in Latest EIA Report

Weekly diesel prices rise as refinery output and fuel inventories shift

Diesel prices increased slightly this week as new federal data showed higher refinery production but tighter distillate inventories. At the same time, gasoline prices also moved up modestly. The latest figures come from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which tracks weekly fuel supply, inventories, and retail prices across the country.

The agency’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report shows that changes in supply and stock levels continue to influence what drivers pay at the pump. While crude oil inventories grew, diesel supplies declined. That combination helped push diesel costs higher.

Diesel prices post a small weekly increase

The national average for diesel prices climbed about 0.7 cents from the previous week. The average now sits near $3.69 per gallon nationwide.

Compared with the same week last year, diesel remains slightly higher. However, the week-to-week change was small, which suggests the market is relatively stable for now.

Even so, diesel tends to react quickly when distillate supplies tighten. That appears to be happening again this week.

Gasoline prices also move up

Regular gasoline followed a similar trend, though the increase was a bit larger. The national average rose about 3.5 cents to roughly $2.90 per gallon.

Despite the weekly bump, gasoline still costs less than it did a year ago. Higher inventories helped limit larger price swings. That added supply gives retailers more flexibility and keeps upward pressure in check.

As a result, gasoline remains cheaper than diesel by a wide margin.

Regional Diesel Prices Across the U.S.

Diesel prices continue to vary widely across different parts of the country, reflecting local supply conditions, distribution costs, and regional demand patterns. Weekly retail diesel averages:

• National Average: ~$3.68 
• East Coast (PADD 1): ~$3.76
  

  • New England: about $4.24

  • Central Atlantic: about $3.99

  • Lower Atlantic: about $3.63

• Midwest (PADD 2): ~$3.63
• Gulf Coast (PADD 3): ~$3.38
• Rocky Mountains (PADD 4): ~$3.42
• West Coast (PADD 5): ~$4.38

  • California: about $4.83

The West Coast and New England regions continue to report the highest diesel prices, while the Gulf Coast typically shows the lowest averages. These regional gaps matter for trucking fleets and logistics planners, as fuel costs can differ by nearly $1.50 per gallon between the cheapest and most expensive parts of the country.

Refinery production increases fuel output

Refineries processed about 16 million barrels of crude oil per day during the week. That figure was slightly lower than the week before, but fuel production still improved.

Gasoline output increased to around 9.1 million barrels per day. Distillate production, which includes diesel, averaged about 4.9 million barrels per day.

Higher production usually helps ease prices. However, other factors can offset that benefit. This week, inventory changes played a bigger role.

Diesel inventories decline while crude stocks grow

Inventory levels often explain why diesel prices move differently from gasoline.

• Crude oil inventories increased by roughly 8.5 million barrels
• Gasoline inventories increased modestly
• Distillate (diesel) inventories decreased by about 2.7 million barrels

That drop in distillate stocks matters. When supplies fall below normal ranges, wholesalers often pay more. Those higher costs then filter down to retail pumps.

In short, diesel demand appears to be outpacing supply growth. That imbalance tends to push prices upward.

Imports add to the supply picture

Imports also changed during the week.

Crude oil imports averaged around 6.8 million barrels per day, which was higher than the previous week. Meanwhile, gasoline and distillate imports remained modest.

More crude imports help keep refineries running. However, finished diesel stocks still fell. That suggests strong domestic consumption or slower replenishment.

Either way, it limits the downward pressure that extra crude might have created.

Why diesel prices matter more for trucking

Fuel remains one of the highest operating costs in trucking. Even small moves in diesel prices can affect margins for fleets and owner-operators.

A few cents per gallon may not sound significant. Yet over thousands of miles each week, those pennies add up fast.

Higher diesel costs can also influence:

• Freight rates
• Fuel surcharges
• Carrier budgets
• Route planning

When diesel inventories shrink, markets often see short-term price spikes. That pattern has appeared several times over the past year.

Market outlook for the coming weeks

Looking ahead, several factors could shape diesel prices:

First, refinery utilization will be important. If production stays strong, supply may rebuild. That could help steady prices.

Second, seasonal demand can change quickly. Colder weather increases heating oil use, which competes with diesel for the same distillate supply.

Finally, crude oil trends always play a role. If crude prices rise, retail fuel usually follows.

For now, the market appears balanced but tight. Diesel inventories remain below typical levels, so any disruption could trigger faster price increases.

Weekly fuel snapshot

Here’s a quick summary of the latest data:

• Diesel: about $3.69 per gallon, up slightly week over week
• Gasoline: about $2.90 per gallon, also up modestly
• Refinery runs: near 16 million barrels per day
• Distillate inventories: down, tightening supply
• Crude inventories: up, improving overall availability

These mixed signals explain the slow but steady movement at the pump.

Bottom line on diesel prices this week

The newest federal data show a modest increase in diesel prices, driven mainly by falling distillate inventories. Gasoline also rose, but it remains cheaper than last year. Strong refinery output helped offset bigger swings, yet diesel supply stayed tight.

If production continues to improve, prices may level off. However, lower stock levels mean diesel remains sensitive to demand changes. That keeps the market closely watched from week to week.