HOUSTON -- Diesel fuel costs are down more than $2 in one year, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.

Last year, in the Gulf Coast states, one gallon of diesel fuel cost $4.70. On Tuesday morning, diesel was down to $2.44.

Prices peaked last year at $4.70. Diesel got down to $2.10 earlier this year.

Each week, the Energy Department surveys about 350 diesel filling stations to come up with a national outlook.

Nearly all tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles and buses have diesel engines.

Experts said it can take four to six months to see lower diesel prices translate into lower prices in other sectors, such as grocery stores.

The average price drivers paid for gasoline fell to $2.46 a gallon on Monday, the lowest level in eight weeks, the Energy Department said.

The national price for regular unleaded gasoline dropped 6.5 cents over the last week and was down $1.60 from a year ago, the department's Energy Information Administration said in its weekly survey of service stations.

The latest pump price reflects lower crude oil costs, which make up more than half the cost of making gasoline.

In its weekly price survey, the EIA found the West Coast had the most expensive gasoline at $2.77 a gallon, down 5 cents from last week. By city, San Francisco had the highest price at $2.87, down 3 cents.

The Gulf Coast states had the lowest regional price at $2.32 a gallon, down 6 cents. Houston had the lowest city pump price at $2.26, down 6 cents.

The agency also said gasoline prices were down 8 cents at $2.68 in Seattle; down 7 cents at $2.59 in Chicago; down 6 cents at $2.58 in Miami; down 5 cents at $2.56 in New York City; down 6 cents at $2.46 in Boston and down 10 cents at $2.35 in Cleveland.

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