Average Price of Diesel Slips 0.1 Cent to $1.422

The average price of diesel fuel in the United States declined 0.1 cent to $1.422 per gallon last week, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

This marked the 13th straight week the price of commercial trucking's dominant fuel has fallen, but there appears to be signs that streak could soon come to an end.

Analyst Trilby Lundberg said a recent rise in crude oil prices has caused a slowing of motor fuel price declines, the Associated Press reported. That could cause motor fuel prices could begin to rise in the weeks ahead, she said.

Since reaching an all-time high of $1.771 on March 10, the price of diesel has dropped 34.9 cents.

DOE also said Monday that the average retail price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 1.7 cents per gallon to $1.49. This was only the second increase in the past 12 weeks.

About one-third of commercial trucking uses gasoline.

Meanwhile, two of DOE's five geographic regions reported diesel price increases last week. Despite having the cheapest diesel in the nation at $1.365, the Gulf Coast saw a price increase 0.4 cent.

The Midwest reported a 0.2 cent increase, and although the West Coast grouping of states saw its overall average price decline 0.1 cent, it rose 0.6 cent in its biggest state of California.

Each week, DOE surveys 350 filling stations to come up with a composite price for diesel fuel across the country.