The national average price for a gallon of diesel fell another 3.4 cents to $2.479 for the week ending Nov. 27, according to the Energy Information Administration.

This marked the fifth straight week of price drops, spurred by the post-Katrina recovery of oil refining capacity coupled with the New England region merely sipping on heating oil due to unusually mild autumn weather. Despite prices falling 67.8 cents since the week ending Oct. 23, the most recent $2.479 level represented a 36.3-cent premium over the same period last year.

All regions posted a decline, but it was the Rocky Mountain region that saw the most relief as prices dropped 6.3 cents to $2.591. Prices held the steadiest in the Lower Atlantic, shedding only 1.1 cents to $2.604. The friendliest prices in the U.S. were found in the Lower Atlantic region at $2.394 after a 2.9-cent decline. The steepest prices were in New England at $2.619 despite a 3.3-cent fall.

For detailed diesel price information, go to www.fleetowner.com/diesel.xls.