Iowa Gas Falls to $4.03 as Diesel Climbs to $5.41, AAA Reports

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa gas prices fell 10 cents this week to a statewide average of $4.03 a gallon for regular unleaded, even as diesel prices climbed and global crude oil prices dropped sharply, according to AAA’s weekly fuel report.

Crude oil prices fell across the board this week. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $3.54 per barrel to $81.77, while Brent crude fell $3.69 to $87.74. Both benchmarks remain well above year-ago levels, when WTI sold for $65.18 and Brent for $66.89.

Iowa’s regular unleaded average of $4.03 as of Wednesday was down 10 cents from last week but up $1.15 from a year ago, according to AAA. The national average stood at $4.10 on Wednesday, up 1 cent from the previous week.

Diesel prices in Iowa moved the opposite direction, rising 16 cents this week to a statewide average of $5.41 a gallon. That’s up sharply from $3.52 a year ago. Iowa’s diesel price remains 21 cents below the national average of $5.62.

At the Des Moines terminal rack, prices Wednesday were $2.84 for U87-E10, $3.31 for unleaded 87 (clear), $4.24 for ULSD#2, $4.45 for ULSD#1 and $2.46 per gallon for E-70.

In heating fuels, natural gas prices rose 6 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.91 per MMbtu. Retail heating oil and propane price reporting for Iowa will resume in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.