The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its weekly data on diesel and gasoline retail prices for the week ended September 24, 2018. On a national average basis, both gasoline and diesel prices rose by 0.3 cents/gallon.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures prices rose by $1.85/b during the week ended September 24. Gasoline and diesel futures prices also rose strongly. Retail prices during the week ended September 24 rose only modestly, but the increase in futures market prices should be expected to filter through to the retail level this week.

For the current week ended September 24th, diesel prices rose 0.3 cents to reach an average price of $3.271/gallon. Prices increased in PADDs 1, 2 and 5, while falling in PADDs 3 and 4. The national average price was 48.3 cents per gallon higher than it was one year ago.

In the East Coast PADD 1, diesel prices rose by 0.2 cents to arrive at an average price of $3.254/gallon. Within PADD 1, New England prices rose by 0.3 cents to average $3.270/gallon. Central Atlantic diesel prices edged up by 0.1 cents to average $3.416/gallon. Lower Atlantic prices also edged up by 0.1 cents to arrive at an average price of $3.136/gallon. PADD 1 prices were 44.3 cents/gallon above their prices for the same week last year.

In the Midwest PADD 2 market, retail diesel prices rose by 1.0 cent to average $3.218/gallon. This was the largest price increase among the five PADDs. Prices were 47.7 cents/gallon above their level for the same week last year.

In the Gulf Coast PADD 3, retail diesel prices fell by 0.4 cents to average $3.052/gallon. Prices were 42.8 cents higher than for the same week in the previous year.

In the Rocky Mountains PADD 4 market, retail diesel prices decreased by 0.8 cents to average $3.355/gallon. PADD 4 prices were 52.3 cents higher than in the prior year.

In the West Coast PADD 5 market, retail diesel prices rose by 0.4 cents to average $3.759/gallon. This price was 65.6 cents above its level from last year. Prices excluding California were unchanged at $3.473/gallon. This price was 46.5 cents above the retail price for the same week last year. California diesel prices rose by 0.7 cents to arrive at an average price of $3.986/gallon. During the week of June 4, California prices had topped the $4/gallon mark, but crude prices waned, and product prices followed. However, diesel prices have crept up for the last five weeks running now, making $4/gallon diesel possible again for California. California diesel prices were 80.6 cents above last year’s price.

U.S. retail gasoline prices rose by 0.3 cents to average $2.844/gallon during the week ended September 24th. Prices rose in PADDs 2 and 5, fell in PADDs 1 and 3, and remained unchanged in PADD 4. The national average price was 26.1 cents per gallon higher than it was one year ago.

For the current week ended September 24, East Coast PADD 1 retail prices for gasoline dropped by 1.6 cents to average $2.772/gallon. The average price was 13.0 cents higher than last year’s price. Within PADD 1, New England prices fell by 1.3 cents to average $2.856/gallon. Central Atlantic market prices dropped by 2.3 cents to average $2.906/gallon. Prices in the Lower Atlantic market decreased by 1.2 cents to average $2.664/gallon.

In the Midwest PADD 2 market, retail gasoline prices rose by 2.8 cents to arrive at an average price of $2.789/gallon. This was the largest price increase among the PADDs. Gasoline pump prices were 42.2 cents higher than they were one year ago.

In the Gulf Coast PADD 3 market, gasoline prices declined by 0.2 cents to average $2.559/gallon. Prices continued to ease after weather-related price increases. PADD 3 continues to have the lowest average prices among the PADDs. Prices for the week were 13.6 cents higher than for the same week in 2017.

In the Rocky Mountains PADD 4 market, gasoline pump prices were unchanged at an average of $3.014/gallon. Two weeks ago, PADD 4 joined PADD 5 in having gasoline prices of over $3/gallon. Prices were 43.2 cents higher than at the same time in 2017.

In the West Coast PADD 5 market, retail gasoline prices rose by 0.6 cents to arrive at an average of $3.350/gallon. This was 34.6 cents higher than at the same time a year ago. PADD 5 continues to have the highest gasoline prices among the five PADDs. Excluding California, West Coast prices increased by 0.4 cents to average $3.131/gallon. This was 36.6 cents higher than at the same time in 2017. In California, pump prices increased by 0.7 cents to average $3.527/gallon. California prices were 38.4 cents per gallon above their levels from last year.