(Des Moines) The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa rose 34 cents over the past week, reaching a statewide average of $4.13 per gallon, according to AAA’s weekly fuel report released Wednesday.
The Iowa average is up $1.24 from a year ago and is now 4 cents higher than the national average of $4.09. The national average increased 5 cents over the past week.
Diesel prices also increased in Iowa, rising 20 cents to an average of $5.25 per gallon. That remains 25 cents below the national diesel average of $5.50. Iowa diesel prices are up significantly from a year ago, when the average was $3.52.
The increase in fuel prices comes as crude oil prices also climbed. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.08 this week to $85.31 per barrel, while Brent crude increased $2.55 to $91.43. A year ago, WTI was priced at $63.38 per barrel and Brent crude was $66.62.
Natural gas prices also increased, rising 5 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site to $2.85 per million British thermal units.
AAA says retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa will resume being reported in October.
