The national average price per gallon of diesel gasoline fell for the fourth consecutive week, for the week of April 19, according to data issued this week by the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).
With a 0.005-cent decline, the national average now stands at $3.124 per gallon, following a 1.5-cent decline, to $3.129, for the week of April 12, and a 1.7-cent decrease, to $3.144, for the week of April 5, and a 3.3-cent decrease, to $3.161, for the week of March 29. Prior to the last four weeks, the national diesel average headed up for 20 consecutive weeks. Even though the national average declined, it topped the $3 per gallon mark for the seventh consecutive week, going back to the week of March 1, when it came in at $3.072 per gallon.
Prior to the week of March 1, the national average had been below the $3 per gallon mark since the week of February 2, 2020, when it posted an average of $2.956.
On an annual basis, this week’s national average is up 64.4 cents.
West Texas Intermediate Crude oil is currently trading at $61.68 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
In its Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA is pegging the average price per gallon of diesel to come in at $2.88 in 2021, with 2022 forecasted at $2.87. For WTI Crude, it is calling for the 2021 average to be $57.24, with 2022 at $54.75.