Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Diesel Prices Fall; U.S. Crude Production Slipped in 2016

The price of diesel fuel continued to slide last week, as the latest numbers from the Energy Department show a two-week trend of falling fuel prices.

by Staff
March 20, 2017
Diesel Prices Fall; U.S. Crude Production Slipped in 2016

Source: EIA

2 min to read


Source: EIA

The price of diesel fuel continued to slide last week, as the latest numbers from the Energy Department show a two-week trend of falling fuel prices.

The average price of on-highway diesel fuel fell by 2.5 cents last week, falling to $2.539 per gallon at the pump. The price is now 42 cents more expensive on average than it was in same week of 2016.

Ad Loading...

Prices were down in all regions of the country with the largest decrease coming to the Gulf Coast, dropping 3.9 cents. The smallest decline was found in New England where prices were down only 0.6 cents for the week.

The average price of regular gasoline was also down last week, though only by 0.2 cents per gallon with the price hovering around $2.32. The price is now 31.4 cents higher than it was in the same week a year ago.

Prices varied up and down by region, with the largest drop occurring in the Lower Atlantic at 0.8 cents per gallon. The largest increase in prices was a similarly small 0.4 cents per gallon in the Midwest.

Ad Loading...

Meanwhile, the Energy Department released its analysis of U.S. crude oil production in 2016, which showed that it decreased for the year overall. Despite the decline, U.S. crude production began to rise in the last few months of 2016 and total production for the year was still above the five-year average.

Crude prices increased from a low of around $31 per barrel to $52 per barrel, which was the largest annual increase in prices since 2009. An agreement by OPEC countries to cut production and increase prices had the intended effect on the crude oil market at the end of the year, but it has since remained flat in 2017, largely thansk to increased U.S. oil production.

More Fuel Smarts

EquipmentJuly 23, 2026

Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal

The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.

Read More →
Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 10, 2026

EPA Proposal Could Ease 2027 Truck Costs and Buying Uncertainty

The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.

Read More →
Illustration showing Paccar MX engine with sketch illustration of DEF fill tank in background
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJuly 7, 2026

Cummins, Paccar Ease DEF Derates After EPA Guidance

Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Biodiesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJuly 2, 2026

Maintenance in the Messy Middle Part 3: Biodiesel

Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.

Read More →
thermo king heavy duty trucking
Safety & ComplianceJuly 1, 2026

Enhance Fleet Performance with High-Efficiency Auxiliary Power Units

Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.

Read More →
Illustration with wrenches in background with "Maintenance in the Messy Middle: Renewable Diesel" text and NACFE Run on Less logo
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 29, 2026

Maintenance in the ‘Messy Middle’ Part 2: Renewable Diesel Fuel

NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration messy middle maintenance diesel with wrenches in background
Maintenanceby Jack RobertsJune 26, 2026

The Diesel Engine Enters NACFE’s ‘Messy Middle’

NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.

Read More →
Illustration showing DEF tank and Detroit engine
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeJune 18, 2026

DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect

The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.

Read More →
Illustration of exhaust aftertreatment system on an AI-inspired blue background and a green fuel pump nozzle in the foreground.
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel

Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →