According to figures released by the Energy Department Jan. 6, the national average cost of diesel fuel this week rose to $1.501 from $1.491 per gallon last week.

The buck-fifty average was seen in the following regions: The East Coast, where prices are $1.517; in New England, $1.565; in the Central Atlantic, $1.591; on the West Coast, $1.546; and in California, where the price is $1.586.

The lowest prices nationally were in the Gulf Coast region at $1.473 per gallon; and in the Rocky Mountain region, where prices are $1.460.

The remaining regions' prices per gallon are as follows: the Lower Atlantic, $1.481; and the Midwest, where prices average out at $1.495.

The Department of Energy reports the average price of self-serve fuel each week. Prices are based on a survey of 350 diesel service centers nationwide and include taxes.