WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that average regular gasoline prices will remain about the same for the next several months, with the annual average for 2013 decreasing slightly compared to 2012.

According to EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook, the weekly U.S. average regular gasoline retail price fell in early March for the first time since mid-December. EIA expects that lower crude oil prices will result in monthly average regular gasoline prices staying near the February average of $3.67 per gallon over the next few months, with the annual average regular gasoline retail price declining from $3.63 per gallon in 2012 to $3.55 per gallon in 2013 and $3.38 per gallon in 2014.

The annual average diesel fuel price is expected to decline from $3.97 per gallon in 2012 to $3.90 per gallon in 2013 and $3.80 per gallon in 2014.

Publication date: 3/18/2013