The average price of a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide fell for the fourth straight week and ninth in the past 10, dipping 0.4 cent to $2.899 a gallon, the smallest of its recent declines, according to US Department of Energy information.
The price is the lowest since it registered $2.861 on March 1, but trucking’s main fuel is now 40.3 cents over the same week in 2009. Since May 10, diesel has fallen 22.8 cents. The fuel previously rose 37.1 cents in the three months from mid-February through mid-May.
Most regions reported minor price declines. Exceptions were the Midwest and Gulf Coast, which reported gains of less than a penny. California diesel dipped less than a penny to $3.116, remaining the most expensive in the United States. The cheapest diesel was along the Gulf Coast at $2.859 a gallon.