WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline dropped 1.5 cents to hit 234.2 cents per gallon, as of Feb. 6. That’s 43.3 cents higher than the same period last year, according to the Energy Department. Prices varied throughout the country, the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported. The East Coast, Midwest, and Gulf Coast all saw price decreases. The Midwest had the largest regional price drop --- 3.4 cents to 228.0 cents per gallon. West Coast prices climbed 2.2 cents to reach 247.8 cents per gallon. California prices gained 3.1 cents to reach 254.4 cents per gallon. Retail diesel fuel prices increased by 1.0 cent to reach 249.9 cents per gallon. That’s 51.6 cents higher than last year. Diesel prices were up throughout the country. The largest price increase occurred in the Rocky Mountains, gaining 2.9 cents to 250.3 cents per gallon. West Coast prices rose 0.5 cent to reach 264.5 cents per gallon. East Coast prices inched up 0.6 cent to reach 253.6 cents per gallon, but New England prices fell 0.2 cent to hit 265.9 cents per gallon.