According to the latest report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and AAA-Iowa, movement in the Iowa fuel markets was mixed over the last week. As of Wednesday, March 19, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the state was $2.98, up seven cents from last week and 26 cents below prices from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was up two cents to $3.10 per gallon. In retail diesel, Iowa prices dropped two cents on average to $3.33 per gallon, compared to $3.79 this time last year. The national average is 27 cents higher than local prices at $3.60 per gallon. Wholesale ethanol was unchanged from $2.16. As for heating fuels, natural gas prices at the Henry Hub reporting site were down four cents to $4.15 per MMBtu. Propane prices held steady at $1.65 per gallon, while home heating oil dipped 14 cents to $2.84 per gallon.
