Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022:
The national average price for diesel fuel has fallen back below $5 per gallon after the Chicago-area BP refinery fire at the end of August led to a sharp increase in prices.
According to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, diesel prices have been falling throughout September after jumping 20 cents during the last week of August. Meanwhile, a weekly freight-rates snapshot showed demand improvement but continued rates slide as van and reefer freight settle in nearer a "normal" at five-year rates averages.
The U.S.’ average for a gallon of on-highway diesel is now $4.96, having fallen below $5 for the first time since that 20-cent jump.
During the most recent week ending Sept. 19, fuel prices fell in all regions, with the most significant decrease observed in the Midwest region, where prices fell by 9 cents.
The nation’s most expensive diesel is still in California -- the only region with average prices higher than $6/gal -- at $6.15 per gallon, followed by the West Coast less California at $5.14 per gallon.
The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $4.69, followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $4.80. Prices in other regions:
