Fuel postcode lottery sees drivers pay almost £5 more a tank depending on where they fill up

• Petrol averages range from 167.32p in Northern Ireland to 175.91p in the South East, a difference of £4.72 on a 55-litre tank

• Supermarkets are 2.54p cheaper for petrol and 2.93p cheaper for diesel than non-supermarket forecourts

• The AA app lets motorists compare nearby fuel prices and help make every drop matter

• “Drivers can still face a real postcode lottery at the pumps” - AA president

AA analysis of the latest Fuel Finder data shows the UK average price of petrol is now 174.71p a litre, with diesel at 199.88p, but those national figures mask a significant postcode lottery at the pumps.

The latest fuel snapshot shows the average price of E10 petrol ranges from 167.32p a litre in Northern Ireland to 175.91p in the South East, an 8.59p gap which adds £4.72 to the cost of filling a 55-litre tank.

Diesel drivers face a similarly wide regional divide. Prices range from 193.12p a litre in Northern Ireland to 201.13p in Scotland, a difference of 8.01p a litre, equivalent to £4.41 on a 55-litre fill-up.

With such variation between regions and individual forecourts, The AA is urging drivers to shop around before filling up. The AA app allows drivers to compare nearby fuel prices and find cheaper options before setting off.

Supermarkets remain cheaper

Where drivers choose to fill up also has a significant impact on the price they pay. With motorway service areas excluded, the average supermarket price for E10 petrol is 172.58p a litre, compared with 175.12p at non-supermarket forecourts.

That 2.54p difference means filling a 55-litre tank costs around £1.40 less at a supermarket.

For diesel, supermarkets average 197.52p a litre, compared with 200.45p at non-supermarket forecourts. The 2.93p gap is worth around £1.61 on a 55-litre tank.

Supermarkets have also reduced prices more quickly since Tuesday. Petrol has fallen by 0.16p at supermarkets, compared with 0.08p at non-supermarket sites, while supermarket diesel has dropped 0.26p, against 0.18p elsewhere.

Fuel prices falling, but not equally

Every region in the latest snapshot has seen both petrol and diesel prices fall since Tuesday, although the size of those reductions varies considerably.

Northern Ireland has seen the biggest diesel reduction, down 0.85p a litre, while diesel in the East of England has fallen by just 0.10p.

For petrol, the North East recorded the largest fall at 0.19p, compared with just 0.05p in the East of England.

Among English regions, petrol is cheapest in Yorkshire & The Humber at 173.16p, compared with 175.91p in the South East.

Diesel is cheapest in the North West at 198.96p, while London is highest at 200.81p.

Make every drop matter

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Fuel prices are heading in the right direction, but drivers can still face a real postcode lottery at the pumps.

“Yesterday we urged drivers to make every drop matter, and today’s figures show why shopping around is part of that. Where you live can affect what you pay, but so can where you choose to fill up.

“The AA app makes it easier to compare nearby fuel prices and find cheaper options before setting off. With differences of several pence a litre between areas and forecourts, a quick check could save drivers pounds on a tank.”

Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “While fuel prices remain high, there are simple things drivers can do to make every drop go further.

“Plan journeys in advance, remove unnecessary weight from the car, avoid unnecessary idling and combine shorter trips where possible. It’s also important to keep tyres correctly inflated, as under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption.”

Drivers should compare prices locally rather than assuming the nearest forecourt offers the best value.

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Questions and Answers

What is the current average price of petrol in the UK?

AA analysis of the latest Fuel Finder data shows the UK average price of E10 petrol is 174.71p a litre.

What is the current average price of diesel in the UK?

The UK average price of B7 diesel is 199.88p a litre.

Where is petrol cheapest in the UK?

Northern Ireland has the lowest regional average for E10 petrol at 167.32p a litre.

Where is petrol most expensive in the UK?

The South East has the highest regional average for E10 petrol at 175.91p a litre.

How much more can petrol cost depending on where you live?

The gap between Northern Ireland and the South East is 8.59p a litre, equivalent to £4.72 on a 55-litre tank.

Where is diesel cheapest and most expensive?

Diesel averages 193.12p a litre in Northern Ireland, compared with 201.13p in Scotland, a difference of 8.01p a litre.

Are supermarkets cheaper for fuel?

Yes. Supermarkets average 172.58p for E10 petrol compared with 175.12p at non-supermarket forecourts, while supermarket diesel averages 197.52p compared with 200.45p elsewhere.

How much can drivers save by filling up at a supermarket?

On a typical 55-litre tank, the current supermarket price gap is worth around £1.40 for petrol and £1.61 for diesel.

Are fuel prices falling?

Yes. Every region in the latest snapshot has seen both petrol and diesel prices fall since Tuesday, although the size of the reduction varies by area.

How can drivers find cheaper fuel near them?

Drivers can use the AA app to compare nearby fuel prices before setting off, helping them shop around and make every drop matter.