Diesel Slightly Cheaper This Week, While Gasoline Costs Rise
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the average cost for diesel is about $4.54 this week, while gasoline costs about $3.26 on average.
Compared to last week, diesel prices faced by school bus fleet operators declined on average.
Image: SBF/EIA
1 min to read
Diesel prices are down slightly nationwide from last week, but still up compared to this time in 2022. Gasoline, on the other hand, mostly increased in price except for slight drops in New England and on the Gulf Coast.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost for diesel is about $4.54, down 3 cents from last week, reducing pain at the pump for some ICE school bus fleets in the United States. Regular gasoline is up this week to $3.26, more than 3 cents on average across the country. It’s down 3 cents compared to this time last year.
Ad Loading...
Overall, regions saw gasoline prices rise week to week, but down compared to last year except for the Midwest and Central Atlantic.
Gasoline prices saw increases compared to last week, except along the Gulf Coast and in New England.
Image: SBF/EIA
Current average fuel prices by region (gasoline/diesel):
East Coast: $3.22/$4.81.
Midwest: $3.14/$4.39.
Gulf Coast: $2.89/$4.22.
Rocky Mountain: $3.12/$4.70.
West Coast: $3.96/$5.08.
According to a GasBuddy report, more refiners should come back online soon after cold-weather outages. Coupled with lower demand, that growing supply could lead to lower gas prices – at least until late February or early March.
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
From tire changers and diagnostics to wash systems and brake tech, these maintenance must-haves save time, reduce strain, and keep school bus shops running efficiently.
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Bendix’s 2026 training program will bring in-person and virtual brake system courses to technicians across the country, focusing on air brake fundamentals and advanced safety technologies.
As gasoline use rises, maintenance teams face tighter budgets, limited training, and slow wage growth. This and more trends and analysis in our annual survey report. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
APEX by BendPak expands its tire service lineup with new swing-arm tire changers and wheel balancers designed for school bus and light-duty fleet maintenance operations.