Diesel prices falling

Slower price fall attributed to demands on fall harvesting, winter heating oil

SAN ANTONIO – People hitting the road are paying less for fuel than they have in years. Gasoline for under $2 a gallon is the norm.

Now truck drivers are finally seeing some relief as diesel prices have also taken a U-turn.

Trucker David Lapree said he's relieved because while he's heading north, the price of diesel is sinking south.

In New Braunfels, diesel has dipped to less than $2.40 per gallon.

"I travel maybe 2,500 miles a month in this truck pulling a trailer, so it's a huge difference to me," Lapree said. "In a week's time, it may  make a $300 difference."

The area's average is $2.84 a gallon, $0.83 cents cheaper than a year ago. It's taken a 43-cent dive in just the past month.

Diesel has been slower to fall than gasoline because of demands for fall harvesting and winter heating oil.

Some companies have even begun to shave off the fuel surcharges tacked on when diesel skyrocketed.

It's too early to tell if this will translate into lower prices on goods consumers buy, however. Analysts say it depends on how long lower fuel prices stick around.

Fuel forecasters say diesel should continue to trickle down.


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.