Diesel Dips for Sixth Week in a Row

For the sixth week in a row, diesel prices continued their downward trajectory, with the national average for a gallon dropping to $4.596.

Prices fell nationally by nearly 16 cents for the week ending Dec. 19, dropping sharply in all five regions, according to an Energy Information Administration report.

The Midwest saw the sharpest decline, with prices tumbling 17.4 cents to $4.477 per gallon. The Rocky Mountain region was next, with a 16.7 cent-drop to end at an average of $4.86.

Prices on the East Coast fell $16 cents to $4.847 per gallon for the week, fueled in part by a 22.6 cent-drop in its New England region. The Gulf Coast saw prices at the pump drop an average of 13.9 cents, putting diesel there at $4.205 a gallon.

The West Coast experienced the least upheaval for the week, with prices falling 14.9 cents to $5.138 a gallon.

Overall, diesel costs 97 cents more than at this time last year, the report showed.