U.S. Weekly Rack ULSD Falls 20.1cts; Gasoline Rises 8.82cts


   
   DAVENPORT, FL (DTN) -- Wholesale rack prices for ultra-low sulfur diesel 
(ULSD) and gasoline moved higher Friday (4/17), extending gains from the prior 
session. On a weekly basis, however, diesel declined while gasoline moved 
higher, as physical markets adjusted to easing geopolitical risk tied to the 
Iran conflict.

   Nationwide ULSD rack prices averaged $3.9614 gallon, up 4.29cts from 
Thursday's $3.9185 gallon, according to DTN data. Conventional unleaded 
gasoline rack prices averaged $3.3137 gallon, up 6.78cts from $3.2459 gallon.

   On a week-over-week basis, ULSD rack prices declined 20.13cts from $4.1627 
gallon on Friday (4/10), while gasoline increased 8.82cts from $3.2255 gallon 
over the same period. The divergence reflects continued softness in distillates 
versus a firmer gasoline complex.

   Futures prices moved sharply lower Friday morning. Front-month May NYMEX 
ULSD futures fell 24.89cts to $3.5840 gallon, while May RBOB gasoline futures 
declined 7.17cts to $3.0920 gallon. WTI crude for May delivery dropped $4.71 to 
$89.94 bbl.

   The pullback in futures followed renewed signs of de-escalation, with 
reports pointing to a temporary ceasefire agreement that could ease disruptions 
across the Middle East. The shift in tone has reduced near-term supply risk, 
particularly around flows tied to the Strait of Hormuz, and has weighed on 
crude and refined product pricing. Iran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz 
completely open to commercial traffic during the ceasefire between Israel and 
Lebanon.

   Rack prices showed a more measured response to the Middle East developments, 
with modest increases across most regions early Friday, suggesting physical 
markets were adjusting more gradually after the volatility seen earlier in the 
month.

   On Friday, East Coast ULSD rose 6.23cts to $3.9750 gallon, while Gulf Coast 
prices increased 6.18cts to $3.9269 gallon. Midwest values climbed 3.75cts to 
$3.7785 gallon, while West Coast ULSD rose 5.01cts to $4.7974 gallon, 
maintaining the strongest regional premium. Rocky Mountain prices edged 
slightly lower by 0.81cts to $4.2067 gallon.

   Relative to the national ULSD rack average of $3.9614 gallon, PADD 5 held 
the widest premium at 83.60cts above the U.S. benchmark, followed by PADD 4 at 
24.53cts above. PADD 1 traded near parity with the national average, while PADD 
2 remained the deepest discount at 18.29cts below the benchmark, followed by 
PADD 3 at 3.45cts below.

   On conventional unleaded gasoline racks, all regions moved higher Friday. 
East Coast gasoline rose 10.09cts to $3.0250 gallon, while Midwest prices 
increased 5.25cts to $2.7914 gallon. Gulf Coast values climbed 5.19cts to 
$2.9572 gallon, while Rocky Mountain prices rose 2.81cts to $3.2216 gallon. 
West Coast gasoline posted the largest move, up 7.94cts to $4.0017 gallon, 
maintaining the only premium position.

   Compared with the national gasoline average of $3.3137 gallon, PADD 5 
remained the only region trading at a premium, at 68.80cts above the benchmark. 
All other regions held discounts, led by PADD 2 at 52.23cts below the national 
average, followed by PADD 3 at 35.65cts and PADD 1 at 28.87cts. PADD 4 traded 
just slightly below the national benchmark.

   Premium gasoline rack prices increased across all regions, broadly in line 
with conventional gasoline. West Coast premiums remained elevated at $4.3937 
gallon, continuing to reflect tighter regional supply conditions.

   The weekly move highlights a market beginning to separate by product, with 
gasoline finding support while distillates continue to adjust lower from 
earlier highs. Futures have reacted quickly to shifting geopolitical signals, 
but physical pricing is moving at a slower pace, particularly in diesel. At the 
same time, forward structure has eased but remains supportive, with ULSD 
backwardation holding near 13cts and RBOB above 7cts, suggesting prompt supply 
conditions are loosening at the margin but not fully resolved.




(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.