Diesel Price Rises 1.1 Cents to Highest Level This Year

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he average retail price of diesel fuel in the United States rose 1.1 cents to $1.595 per gallon, the highest price since March 31, the Department of Energy reported Monday.

The most recent increase in commercial trucking’s dominant fuel followed a rise of 1.6 cents the week before. The 2.7-cent run-up means that trucking is paying $15.6 million more for diesel than just two weeks ago.

However, diesel is still 11.4 cents below a year earlier, according to DOE figures, when the price was approaching record levels as the United States prepared to invade Iraq.

DOE also said Monday the average U.S. retail price for regular gasoline rose 4 cents to $1.688 a gallon, the highest since Sept 15. Gasoline has increased seven of the past eight weeks.

Although the price of diesel dipped 0.1 cent along DOE's West Coast grouping of states, it rose at least 1 cent in the four other major geographic regions. The largest increase of 1.4 cents was reported in the East Coast, where the average price is $1.616.

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