Gas prices make slight decline over past week

Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have fallen 1.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.38 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 0.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.43 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices yesterday were $1.12 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 5.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands $1.12 per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

“One thing seems constant in this world aside from death and taxes, and that’s gas price fluctuations,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst. “Though last week, many areas didn’t see much fluctuation, there certainly were some outliers last week, as there almost always tend to be week after week. Florida, Ohio and Indiana saw notable jumps at the pump, while Michigan, California and Oregon saw the largest declines.

“Overall, the national average paints a quiet picture with prices virtually unchanged. And while three of four number one seeds proceed to the NCAA Final Four – perhaps not a surprise – I’d say there still could be some unexpected surprises at the pump in the weeks ahead,” DeHaan added.

While gasoline prices have been a mixed bag, diesel consumers have been enjoying declines in 48 out of 50 states in the last week, with the exceptions being Hawaii, who saw a small 2-cent rise, and Florida, where diesel prices were unchanged. Diesel prices have fallen most in the East Coast region, with Delaware, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Maine seeing decreases of over a nickel per gallon in the last week. The national average for diesel has declined nearly 3 cents per gallon in the last week as the U.S. exists heating oil season and supply sits at healthy levels ahead of the farming season.