DES MOINES – The price of retail gasoline in Iowa rose $.04 this week, closing at $2.29 per gallon.  Nationally, the price of retail gasoline averaged $2.37 per gallon, an increase of $.03 from last week.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.06 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $51.29.

Brent crude oil was up $1.55 and is currently priced at $53.90.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $48.62 and Brent crude was at $48.42.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, May 23rd, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.29 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is up $.04 from last week and $.05 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.37, up $.03 from last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa held steady with a statewide average of $2.46.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $2.25 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.05 lower than the national average of $2.51.

Wholesale ethanol prices rose $.06 from last week’s price, currently at $1.51. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.61 for U87-E10, $1.83 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.67, ULSD#1 is at $1.83, and E-70 is priced at $1.62 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Natural Gas prices are down $.03 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $3.20/ MMbtu.

Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.