Gasoline and diesel retail prices up for a third straight week

The U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline increased just over 4 cents to $3.52 per gallon. The average price is about $0.38 per gallon higher than last year at this time. Prices were up across all regions except the Midwest, where the price declined less than a penny to remain at $3.41 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain price increased less a cent to remain the lowest in the Nation at $3.07 per gallon. The largest increase occurred on the Gulf Coast where the average rose over 8 cents to $3.43 per gallon. East Coast and West Coast prices are about 6 cents higher at $3.61 per gallon and $3.73 per gallon, respectively.

The national average diesel price increased almost 9 cents to $3.94 per gallon. The diesel price is $0.41 per gallon higher than last year at this time. The largest increase was in the Midwest where the price was up about 11 cents to $3.86 per gallon. The Gulf Coast and West Coast averages both rose eight and a half cents to $3.86 per gallon and $4.12 per gallon, respectively. The East Coast increased 8 cents to $4.03 per gallon and moved above the $4 mark for the first time since May 2011. The smallest increase (2 cents) took place in the Rocky Mountains where the price was $3.84 per gallon, the least expensive in the Nation.