The average price for a gallon of diesel last week was 1.746, a 1.5-cent drop from the week earlier. This drop coincides with Saudi Arabian officials promising to boost crude capacity and to lobby OPEC to raise its output ceiling.

New England posted the largest increase, up 0.9 cents per gallon to $1.815. The West Coast received a much-needed 9.3-cent drop to $2.105. California prices, which fell eight cents, remain the most expensive in the nation at $2.186.