EIA: U.S. Retail Diesel Prices Down 5.8cts on Week

DAVENPORT, FL (DTN) — The national average price for retail diesel fuel fell by 5.8cts as of Monday (12/15) amid decreases in most U.S. regions despite freezing temperatures bolstering demand for distillates-reliant heating, pricing data released Tuesday (12/16) by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed.

The national average for retail diesel fuel stood at $3.607 gallon, after its second straight weekly decline. But that average was still up 11.3cts year-on-year, according to the EIA pricing data.

Lower diesel supply versus 2024 has kept year-on-year prices supported despite weekly variances. Freezing temperatures ahead of the official December 21 start to the 2025/26 winter season have also limited in some regions the downside in diesel prices, a proxy for heating oil.

In the Midwest (PADD 2), diesel prices dropped by 6.8cts to $3.567 gallon in the week ended December 15, posting one of the larger weekly declines among all PADD regions, while standing 11.7cts higher than the same week last year, as softer freight activity outweighed typical winter support.

The East Coast (PADD 1) saw average diesel prices move lower by 2.6cts to $3.703 gallon as of December 15, while staying 12.8cts above the same period last year, as colder temperatures began to lift heating oil demand in the region.

On the East Coast as well, weekly diesel prices in New England (PADD 1A) increased by 2.4cts to $4.064 gallon, while staying up 31cts year-on-year, in a region more directly exposed to winter heating demand that draws from the distillate pool.

In the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), diesel slipped by 0.4cts to $3.944 gallon, while being 18.3cts higher on the year.

In the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) – where milder temperatures limited winter-driven demand – diesel fell by 3.7cts to $3.58 gallon, while remaining up 9.3cts year-on-year.

In the Gulf Coast (PADD 3), weekly average diesel prices declined by 6cts to $3.267 gallon, while holding 7.7cts above year-ago levels, supported by ample refining capacity and steady supply.

The Rocky Mountain region (PADD 4) dropped by 11.3cts to $3.385 gallon, marking the largest weekly decline among all regions, while remaining 2.8cts above the same period last year, despite colder weather in parts of the region.

West Coast (PADD 5) weekly average diesel prices fell by 7.6cts to $4.294 gallon, while marking a 16.4cts year-on-year rise, as winter-grade diesel production and higher costs continued to influence prices.

Diesel prices at West Coast less California decreased by 7.3cts to $3.871 gallon last week, while being 14.5cts above levels from a year earlier.

California retail diesel prices declined by 8.1cts to $4.781 gallon on the week but stood 18.4cts higher year-on-year, reflecting both seasonal demand and ongoing supply constraints.