The nation’s school bus fleets primarily saw increases in the average cost of diesel and gasoline fuel compared to last week.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that gasoline is averaging about $3.49 per gallon, up from $3.42. The average price of diesel in the United States went up just 2 cents, to $4.62. The only price decline – a little more than a 1 cent – was seen in the Central Atlantic area of the East Coast region.

Current average fuel prices by region (gasoline/diesel):

• East Coast: $3.47/$4.83

• Midwest: $3.38/$4.47

• Gulf Coast: $3.13/$4.35

• Rocky Mountain: $3.54/$4.74

• West Coast: $4.08/$5.12

According to GasBuddy, the average price of gasoline rose again this week due to retailers passing costs along to customers due to challenges caused by refinery utilization and the upcoming maintenance season.

“There appears to be little good news on the gas price front, with prices unlikely to turn around any time soon,” wrote Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis. “Because of the surge in prices last spring, many refineries that had planned maintenance deferred maintenance until 2023. With the can kicked to this year, we may have similar challenges producing enough refined products to meet demand, especially with the European Union cutting off refined products from Russia starting Feb. 5.”

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