Fort Lauderdale, FL – Last week’s stunning increase in gas prices was followed by another series of strong regional price hikes, according to the latest fuel price survey from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. However, price declines across the Midwest and more pricing stability across the West Coast kept the average U.S. gas price in check this week. The average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded rose just over a penny per gallon to $2.42, according to the E.I.A.
This week’s report, released a day late because of an unspecified technical issue at the E.I.A., shows that, region by region, pricing volatility was the rule this week. Prices across the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, in the Rocky Mountains and across the New England states soared anywhere from four to five cents per gallon. Coupled with the previous two week’s price hikes, drivers in those states are paying seven to 14 cents per gallon more for gas, and that’s just since the start of April. Prices in the Midwest declined this week, but that still leaves prices 18 cents higher than were they were just three weeks ago.
For truckers, the news is not quite as bad, but price increases were the rule. The E.I.A. reports the average diesel price is now a fraction under $2.60 per gallon, though regional prices, like gasoline, vary widely.
Regional cost averages for both gasoline and diesel are listed below, ranked from highest to lowest price.
Regional Gasoline Averages:
$2.883: PADD 5 WEST COAST (INCL. CA)
$2.652: PADD 5 WEST COAST (W/O CA)
$2.508: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.397: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.376: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.373: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.339: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.320: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.241: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Regional Diesel Averages:
$2.877: PADD 5 WEST COAST
$2.783: PADD 1b CENTRAL ATLANTIC
$2.652: PADD 4 ROCKY MOUNTAIN
$2.638: PADD 1a NEW ENGLAND
$2.631: PADD 1 EAST COAST
$2.536: PADD 2 MIDWEST
$2.522: PADD 1c LOWER ATLANTIC
$2.458: PADD 3 GULF COAST
Note: PADD is an acronym for Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts.