U.S. Diesel Prices Climb for Week of November 10: Midwest and Rockies Lead Gains
Diesel prices moved higher across most U.S. regions this week. The national on-highway average rose to $3.837 per gallon for the week of November 10, up 8.4 cents (2.24%) from $3.753 the prior week. The steepest week-over-week increases came in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions, while the West Coast remained the nation’s high-price outlier above $4.50.
Price Analysis: Week-over-Week Movement
National average: $3.837/gal, up $0.084 from $3.753 (+2.24%). Regionally, changes were mixed but generally higher:
- East: $3.823 vs. $3.754 (+$0.069, +1.84%).
- Midwest: $3.891 vs. $3.773 (+$0.118, +3.13%).
- Gulf: $3.436 vs. $3.374 (+$0.062, +1.84%).
- Rocky Mountains: $3.803 vs. $3.676 (+$0.127, +3.45%).
- West: $4.545 vs. $4.499 (+$0.046, +1.02%).
The West–Gulf spread widened to $1.109 per gallon ($4.545 West vs. $3.436 Gulf), underscoring persistent structural differences in taxes, fuel specifications, and regional supply chains.
Regional Comparison
- National: $3.837/gal (from $3.753) — broad-based increases, led by Midwest/Rockies.
- East: $3.823/gal (from $3.754) — modest uptick consistent with national trend.
- Midwest: $3.891/gal (from $3.773) — largest cent gain (+11.8¢); seasonal refinery transitions and local supply pulls likely contributors.
- Gulf: $3.436/gal (from $3.374) — still the nation’s lowest, but higher week-over-week; localized refinery hiccups may have added slight pressure.
- Rocky Mountains: $3.803/gal (from $3.676) — strongest percentage rise (+3.45%), reflecting sensitivity to regional production and long-haul resupply.
- West: $4.545/gal (from $4.499) — remains elevated due to tight CARB-spec supply and high taxes; smallest week-over-week change among regions.
Market Drivers: What Moved Diesel This Week
- EIA weekly data signaled a crude build and only a modest distillate draw. For the week ending October 31 (reported November 5), U.S. crude inventories rose by about 5.2 million barrels, refinery utilization hovered near 86%, and distillate stocks drew less than markets expected. Crude builds typically weigh on oil prices, but a tepid draw in distillates can keep diesel relatively firm due to limited prompt supply.
- Saudi price cuts and OPEC+ output posture softened crude benchmarks. On November 6, Saudi Aramco reduced December official selling prices to Asia as OPEC+ increased output, reinforcing a bearish tilt for crude. Lower crude can take time to filter through diesel racks and retail, helping explain why diesel still rose this week even as crude sentiment cooled.
- Short-term refinery issues in the Gulf Coast added localized tightness. A reported processing upset at Marathon’s Galveston Bay complex on November 6 highlighted ongoing vulnerability during fall maintenance and restarts, which can nudge Gulf-region diesel higher at the margin.
Separately, crude futures dipped on November 6 after the EIA’s larger-than-expected crude build and a stronger dollar—another sign that product-market dynamics, rather than crude alone, helped buoy diesel this week.
Outlook for Truckers
Near term (1–3 weeks), diesel prices may stabilize or ease if crude softness persists and refineries complete fall turnarounds, bolstering distillate output. However, regional volatility is still possible: the West remains above $4.50, and the Midwest/Rockies could stay choppy given recent sharp gains and longer supply lines. Keep an eye on the next EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report (due November 13) for confirmation that distillate stocks are building into the heating season; a failure to rebuild inventories could keep a floor under diesel.
Actionable takeaway: consider tightening fuel budgets for lanes touching the Midwest and Rockies, continue leveraging fuel-purchase programs in the Gulf states, and watch rack trends following the latest crude headlines—retail adjustments often lag wholesale by several days.
This article was prepared exclusively for truckstopinsider.com.
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Source of diesel data is the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
