Could a Lower U.S. Gasoline Average Cut a Diesel Bill?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s October 27 update gives two different pump prices for October 26. Regular gasoline averaged $4.269 a gallon, down 1.5 cents from $4.284 on October 19. On-highway diesel averaged $6.352, up 7.6 cents from $6.276.

Most household cars use gasoline. Many trucks, farms, and delivery fleets use diesel, so a lower gasoline average does not reduce a diesel bill. EIA’s table records the changes and does not explain them.

The national gasoline figure also conceals large gaps. Ohio rose 33.1 cents, to $4.380, and Colorado rose 18.4 cents, to $4.458. California fell 14.3 cents, to $5.888, and remained far above the U.S. average.

Both fuels were still much more expensive than a year earlier: gasoline by $1.234 a gallon and diesel by $2.634. These are tax-inclusive retail averages, not a forecast. EIA’s next update is scheduled for November 3.

Could a lower U.S. gasoline average cut a diesel bill? No. In the October 26 survey, gasoline fell 1.5 cents while diesel rose to $6.352 a gallon. No freight or grocery price cut was announced.