(Des Moines) The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa climbed 20 cents over the past week, reaching $3.68 per gallon, according to the latest AAA Weekly Fuel Report released Wednesday.
Gas prices are now 74 cents higher than they were one year ago. The national average also increased, rising 9 cents over the past week to $3.89 per gallon.
Diesel prices also saw a significant increase in Iowa, climbing 22 cents to a statewide average of $4.53 per gallon. Despite the increase, Iowa’s diesel price remains 41 cents below the national average of $4.94. One year ago, diesel averaged $3.55 per gallon in the state.
Crude oil prices continued to rise this week. West Texas Intermediate crude increased $3.13 per barrel to $78.70, while Brent crude gained $4.07 to $84.00 per barrel. At this time last year, WTI crude was $67.76 per barrel and Brent crude was $70.27.
Meanwhile, natural gas prices fell 31 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site to $2.91 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
