Growing Difference in Gas & Diesel Prices?

[ilmor]

Where I live, the price of diesel has been getting higher and higher lately as compared to regular gas. It's now about 40 cents higher. Are others seeing this where you live as well?

[NMWildcat]

In NM and AZ gas and diesel are within 10 cents (some stations close to even). The exception is truck stops that are at least 40 cents higher than in town. I guess they are screwing the truckers now. Used to be truck stops had the cheapest diesel.

[mikeysotp]

within 10 cents here in CT. Haven't tried a truck stop yet.

[RonII]

Almost even in MI, around 2.29 most places.

[fanrgs]

Diesel is about even in Denver too, but higher than gas in the mountains. Right now the least expensive stations in the western suburbs are $1.99 - $2.01 for diesel.

[PSU Turf]

Diesel is about $0.25-0.30 higher in Madison, WI.

[hbillsmith]

Seeing $1.89 diesel here in NW Dallas area. Same stations doing regular for $1.99

[dwayneb236]

They're about even in the Ft Worth area for now. In some places it's 1.99 for reg unleaded or diesel.

[moff34]

Diesel is still significantly lower than gasoline and has been for a couple of years. That is a welcome change from the norm where diesel has been higher than gasoline for years and almost hit $5.00 per gallon a few years ago.

[Springerdad]

Regular in SW FL is 1.99 give or take, diesel is 2.25 give or take.

[saltyman]

Back in my Chemistry classes in school I learned it takes LESS REFINING at the oil refinery to produce Diesel rather than gasoline. At one time the oil producers told us that most of the Diesel fuel was being sent to Iraq and Afganistan to support our War effort. Somebody is lying and screwing us without a kiss. Here in Missouri, it's about 10-15 cents higher than gas.

[Bilcin]

In Philadelphia Pa area diesel is about 35-40 cents higher than regular unleaded. Across the bridge in New Jersey about 30 cents more than regular unleaded.

[checkmate99]

Diesel is about .10 to .30 cents higher here in NE Ohio depending on brand. Diesel was lower for about a year, but has gone slightly higher since gas prices have dropped below $2.00. As soon as the barrel price goes back to $100.00 a barrel, which it will eventually, we will all be suffering high prices again! Camp now while it's cheap fuel!!!!

[walljammer]

Just paid 1.99 near Kalamazoo,Mi regular gas was 2.15

[RLHAMILTON]

About even in Warner Robins, GA, except for the truck stops. Diesel is higher there.

[gordonsick]

In Canada, Diesel is cheaper than Regular gas.
My best price (Costco) for Regular is 89.9¢/litre, but my best price for Diesel is 87.9 at the Coop, which also has propane for 69.9¢/litre. The Diesel discount used to be more like 10¢. The Coop has a big turning space and let's RVs maneuver easily. I just saw a big crane truck (with two front axles) fill up beside me. He came in under the awning.

The Coop also gives a nice kickback in coupons to use at the store.

A litre is a bit larger than an American quart. A Canadian dollar is worth about US$0.77

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by saltyman

Back in my Chemistry classes in school I learned it takes LESS REFINING at the oil refinery to produce Diesel rather than gasoline. At one time the oil producers told us that most of the Diesel fuel was being sent to Iraq and Afganistan to support our War effort. Somebody is lying and screwing us without a kiss. Here in Missouri, it's about 10-15 cents higher than gas.

True. But now they have to get all that sulphur out. Dont know how much more it costs to do that,,,,,

[ilmor]

I'd love to know the honest reason why it varies so much from place to place, but I suspect we never will!

[KellyG]

Originally Posted by saltyman

Back in my Chemistry classes in school I learned it takes LESS REFINING at the oil refinery to produce Diesel rather than gasoline. At one time the oil producers told us that most of the Diesel fuel was being sent to Iraq and Afganistan to support our War effort. Somebody is lying and screwing us without a kiss. Here in Missouri, it's about 10-15 cents higher than gas.

There are several reasons -- and reasons why the price difference varies by region.

1. Federal Diesel tax is 6 cents per gallon (cpg) higher than on gasoline (24.4 cpg for Diesel v. 18.4 cpg for gasoline).
2. Federal government now requires Diesel to meet "ultra-low sulfur" requirements.
3. Diesel demand has been rising overall.
4. States often charge different excise tax rates on Diesel than on gasoline. (For example, Wyoming charges the same for both, Tennessee charges 3 cpg less for Diesel, Arizona charges 8 cpg more for Diesel.)
5. Overall state excise tax and other fee rates vary (e.g., California charges 38.57 cpg for gasoline and 38.69 cpg for Diesel, while Mississippi charges 17.3 cpg for both, and New Jersey charges 14.5 cpg for gasoline and 17.5 cpg for Diesel).
6. The EPA requires different formulations for gasoline by region--I think that there are about 30 of these--and these formulations vary in production cost as well as supply, and demand.

BTW, the state taxes on gasoline and on Diesel in Missouri are equal at 17.3 cpg: total gasoline taxes and fees are 35.7 cpg for gasoline and 41.7 cpg for Diesel.

[nikita]

On Grand Island, NY, where we live, it is just about even. $2.35 for Gas and $2.39 for Diesel.