U.S. Average Retail Gasoline Price Drops 12 Cents

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline decreased by 12.3 cents to 272.5 cents per gallon, falling for the second week in a row, according to the U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration. This week's price is 69.0 cents higher than this time last year. Prices were down throughout the country, with the Midwest seeing the largest regional decrease of 16.6 cents to 259.4 cents per gallon. That was the lowest regional price in the country. East Coast prices fell by 11.7 cents to 276.6 cents per gallon. The West Coast averaged 287.2 cents per gallon, the highest regional average price in the country, after falling 6.0 cents. California prices lost 6.2 cents, dropping to 290.2 cents per gallon. Retail diesel fuel prices fell 0.2 cent to reach 314.8 cents per gallon, falling slightly from last week's record price. Prices were mixed throughout the country, with the Rocky Mountains seeing the largest regional increase of 3.5 cents to 317.8 cents per gallon. That tied the West Coast for the highest prices in the country. East Coast prices were down 4.4 cents to 311.6 cents per gallon, the lowest regional price in the nation. California prices averaged 321.0 cents per gallon, a decrease of 3.0 cents.