Increases to motor fuel prices in Iowa over the past week were limited, but higher costs are expected in the months ahead as the peak driving season arrives. As of Wednesday, April 5, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa averaged $3.34, according to AAA-Iowa and the Iowa Department of Agriculture. That price is seven cents higher than last week and 52 cents below prices from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday stood at $3.53 per gallon, also up seven cents on the week. As for diesel costs, Iowa prices were up one cent to an average of $3.88 per gallon, 89 cents below last year and 33 cents below the $4.21 national average. Wholesale ethanol was unchanged from $2.16. In heating fuels, natural gas prices were down one cent at the Henry Hub reporting site to $2.14 per MMBtu. With warmer weather ahead, retail heating oil and propane prices will only be reported once per month until the fall.
