Diesel Jumps 7.4 Cents to $2.545; Gas Soars 7.7 Cents to $2.331

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he average national price of retail diesel fuel jumped 7.4 cents to $2.545 a gallon, while gasoline leaped 7.7 cents to $2.331, the Department of Energy said Monday.

The diesel rise was the biggest since the record 34.6-cent gain Oct. 3 to $3.144 following the two big Gulf Coast hurricanes last fall, according to DOE figures.

Diesel is 37.7 cents higher than a year ago, while gasoline is 33.2 cents over this time last year.

Monday’s diesel price was also the first time the national average has topped $2.50 since Nov. 21 when it was $2.513. Diesel hit an all-time record of $3.157 on Oct. 24.

Over the past three months diesel has generally fluctuated in the mid-$2.40's — ranging from a low of $2.425 to a high of $2.499.

Regionally, the diesel price rose 8.8 cents on the West Coast to $2.711, the highest regional average, while it gained 7.8 cents on the East Coast, to $2.571.

In California, which DOE breaks out separately, the price was even higher, at $2.739 a gallon following a 5.1-cent increase.

The Gulf Coast was the only region reporting a price below $2.50, edging under that level at $2.499 after a 5.6-cent gain.

The Rocky Mountain region had the smallest gain for the week, of 3.6 cents to $2.545, matching the national price.

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