The average price of a gallon of diesel fuel nationwide jumped 4.9 cents to $3 a gallon, the first time it has been at that level since May, according to US Department of Energy information. Diesel slipped 0.9 cent a week earlier after two weeks of increases totaling 2.9 cents, and the price is now 41.8 cents over the same week in 2009.
This week’s spike was the biggest since a 6.3-cent jump August 9, and trucking’s main fuel last topped the $3 level May 24, when it averaged $3.021.
All regions tracked recorded large gains, led by a 6.2-cent increase in the Midwest. The East Coast advanced 5.1 cents, including 6.1-cent increase in the Central Atlantic area. The West Coast gained 4.4 cents. California, the most expensive area, rose 4 cents to $3.179 a gallon. The cheapest is the Gulf Coast at $2.92, up 3.7 cents.