The national average price of a gallon of diesel rose by just under a penny to $3.438 per gallon, according to weekly figures from the U.S. Department of Energy.


The price is 65.7 cents -- 23.7 percent -- more than it was a year ago as diesel prices continue a steady increase that has continued for nine weeks in a row, according to the DOE's Energy Information Administration. Prices reached two-year highs in all regions again this week.

The highest average price was reported in the New England region at $3.633, even higher than California's $3.612. Lowest prices were in the Gulf Coast region at $3.384.

The EIA also reported that the price of regular grade gasoline fell 0.9 cents to $3.101 per gallon, the first decrease since November. The price of gasoline is 16.5 percent or 44 cents more expensive than a year ago. Diesel costs 33.7 cents more than gasoline.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices settled at their highest in more than two years on the New York Mercantile Exchange Monday. Crude for March delivery was up 3.2 percent to $92.19 a barrel, the highest since October 2008. Analysts blamed the continuing political unrest in Egypt, which while not a major producer of oil, is a key oil transit route.

At the same time Egyptian protests are raising fears of supply disruptions, some economic numbers here in the U.S. had investors thinking there may be increased demand, also sending oil prices higher.