December 5, 2006 3:30 PM, EST

Diesel, Gasoline Each Jump 5.1 Cents for Week

Diesel Reaches $2.618, Gas Hits $2.297, DOE Says

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he national average price of diesel rose 5.1 cents to $2.618 a gallon, while gasoline rose by the same amount to $2.297, the Department of Energy said Monday.

Diesel jumped in all five U.S. regions, led by a 10-cent surge on the West Coast to $2.86, DOE figures showed.

In California, which DOE breaks out separately, the jump was even higher, as trucking’s main fuel surged 15 cents, also to $2.86.

Diesel price was 19.3 cents higher than last year, when it was in decline following the record price surges following the 2005 hurricanes.

Gasoline’s biggest regional gains were in the Midwest, where it rose 5.5 cents, and Gulf Coast, where it jumped 6.1 cents. Gas prices were 15 cents over the same week last year.

Crude oil prices, meanwhile, fell 99 cents Monday to $62.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, Bloomberg News reported.

Each week, DOE surveys 350 diesel filling stations to compile a national snapshot average price.