Diesel Prices Firm Up

Diesel prices increased 3.9 cents to $3.867 per gallon, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

This marks the second straight weekly increase on the heels of a six-week stretch of declining prices, during which time prices dropped a cumulative 7.3 cents. But over the last two weeks (the average price per gallon was up 1.1 cents last week), that difference has nearly been made up with a 5 cent gain over the last two weeks.

This week’s tally marks the highest average price per gallon for diesel in the last seven weeks, going back to the week of June 3, when it hit $3.869 per gallon. What’s more, according to EIA data, it is the single highest weekly increase since rising 5.3 cents the week of February 18.

And on an annual basis, the average price per gallon is up 17.2 cents.

Prior to the gains of the last two weeks, the previous six straight weeks of declines were preceded by a two-week stretch which saw prices rise a cumulative 4.5 cents.

Prior to the two-week stretch of increases, diesel prices declined for ten straight weeks and dropped a cumulative 31.4 cents. Prior to the previous ten weeks of declining prices, diesel prices rose a cumulative 26.5 cents over a six week span.

Regardless of the fluctuation in diesel prices, shippers are cognizant of the impact diesel prices can have on their bottom line—for better or worse.

And they continue to be proactive on that front, too, by taking steps to reduce mileage and transit lengths when possible as well as cut down on empty miles. And even through shippers want to adjust budgets in order to offset the increased costs higher fuel prices bring, it is not always an easy thing to manage.

Shippers have told LM that adjusting budgets is only part of the solution when it comes to dealing—and living—with fuel price fluctuation.

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