Washington, D.C. — Diesel prices have halted their downward slide, settling into a narrow trading band that signals a market stabilization after months of volatility. The Energy Information Administration reports the national average for on-highway diesel sits at $3.81 per gallon, a mere 0.9-cent increase from the start of June. Drivers watching the pump will see prices oscillating between $3.77 and $3.82 since early summer, ending a prolonged period of decline that defined the first half of 2023.

This leveling action complicates budget planning for fleets and independents alike, as the fuel curve stops rewarding late-mileage discounts. The week ending July 10 brought a 3.9-cent national jump, a predictable surge tied to Independence Day travel demand, yet the impact varied wildly across the map. While the holiday usually triggers uniform spikes, this period saw a fractured response. Only New England and the Rocky Mountain regions posted price drops during that week. Conversely, the Lower Atlantic region recorded the steepest climb, surging 6.8 cents. The rest of the country moved upward, keeping the national average pinned near the $3.80 mark.

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