Price of diesel fuel surges nationwide

The average price of diesel fuel nationwide shot up 14.6 cents to $2.498 a gallon. This marks the fifth consecutive weekly gain and the largest single-week climb in more than a year. Over the past four weeks, the price has risen 23.5 cents, according to Department of Energy information.

In spite of the increases, the average price of a gallon of diesel is $2.194 less than the same week in 2008, when prices were approaching the July 14 record of $4.764 a gallon.

Prices advanced from 9.9 cents a gallon in the Rocky Mountain area to 17.4 cents in California, which ranks as the most expensive area at $2.676 a gallon. The least expensive region is the Rocky Mountain area at $2.442.