Diesel price surges to 18-month high

Updated May 5, 2010
Fuel prices are at highest level since October 2008. (Photo Max Kvidera)Fuel prices are at highest level since October 2008. (Photo Max Kvidera)

The national average retail price of a gallon of diesel jumped again this week, rising to its highest level in 18 months, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The price rose 4.4 cents to $3.122 in the latest week.

Increasing for the tenth week in the past 11 weeks, the national price was the highest since Oct. 27, 2008, when it was $3.288.

All regions reported substantial increases, with the Lower Atlantic area climbing 5.4 cents to $3.079 as part of the East Coast increase of 5.2 cents to $3.127. California rose 3.3 cents to a national high of $3.26. All regions are well above $3 a gallon.

For state-by-state diesel prices, updated daily, click here.