Fuel prices vary significantly between stations, sometimes by 10p or more per litre within the same area. Finding the cheapest fuel and driving efficiently can save you hundreds of pounds a year.
Use Fuel Price Apps
Several apps track real-time fuel prices at stations across the UK. Checking before you fill up takes seconds and can save you 5p to 15p per litre.
Best UK Fuel Price Apps
- PetrolPrices - The most popular fuel app in the UK. Shows prices at over 8,000 stations updated daily. Free version shows nearby prices; premium version adds filters and price alerts.
- AA Fuel Prices - Free app from the AA with crowdsourced price updates. Covers petrol, diesel, and LPG stations. Includes route planning to find cheap fuel on your journey.
- RAC Fuel Prices - Similar to the AA app with real-time prices. Includes a price comparison tool and station reviews from other drivers.
- Google Maps - Search for “petrol station” to see current prices at nearby stations. Prices are often shown directly on the map.
Check at least two or three apps before filling up. Prices can differ by 5p to 10p per litre between stations just a few miles apart.
Buy Supermarket Fuel
Supermarket forecourts are almost always cheaper than branded stations like Shell, BP, or Esso. The fuel quality is the same as it comes from the same refineries.
Typical savings from supermarket fuel:
| Fuel Type | Branded Station (p/litre) | Supermarket (p/litre) | Saving Per Litre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (E10) | 145p | 140p | 5p |
| Diesel (B7) | 150p | 145p | 5p |
Supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons consistently offer the lowest prices. Asda is often the cheapest as it follows a daily pricing model.
Warehouse Club Fuel
Costco operates fuel stations at many of its UK warehouses. Members typically save 5p to 10p per litre compared to supermarket prices. An annual Costco membership costs around £33.60 for a standard card. If you fill up once a week, the membership pays for itself within a few months.
Fuel-Saving Driving Tips
How you drive affects your fuel consumption significantly. These habits reduce the amount of fuel you use without affecting your journey time.
Smooth Driving
- Accelerate gently rather than revving the engine hard
- Maintain a steady speed using cruise control on motorways
- Anticipate traffic ahead so you can coast rather than brake suddenly
- Shift up through gears early, around 2,000 RPM for petrol and 1,500 for diesel
Correct Tyre Pressure
Under-inlated tyres increase fuel consumption by around 3%. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month using a gauge at a petrol station or with a home pump. The correct pressure is shown on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in your handbook.
Remove Unnecessary Weight
Every 50kg of extra weight increases fuel consumption by around 1%. Remove heavy items from your boot that you do not need for the journey.
Remove Roof Racks
A roof box or roof bars increase aerodynamic drag significantly. At motorway speeds, a roof box can increase fuel consumption by 10% to 20%. Remove it when not in use.
Plan Your Journeys
Combine multiple errands into one trip rather than making several separate journeys. Use navigation apps to avoid traffic and find the most direct route.
Diesel vs Petrol vs Hybrid Running Costs
Choosing the right fuel type for your driving pattern makes a big difference to your annual costs.
Petrol
Best for: shorter journeys, town driving, lower-mileage drivers. Petrol cars are typically cheaper to buy than diesel equivalents. Fuel economy is generally lower than diesel on motorways.
Diesel
Best for: high-mileage drivers, motorway commuting, towing. Diesel cars offer better fuel economy on long runs but are less efficient in stop-start traffic. Diesel fuel costs more per litre but you use fewer litres over a long journey.
Hybrid
Best for: town driving with regular stops. Hybrids recover energy through regenerative braking, making them very efficient in urban areas. They use petrol for higher speeds and electric power for lower speeds.
Running cost comparison for 10,000 miles per year:
| Fuel Type | Average MPG | Annual Fuel Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 40 mpg | £1,270 |
| Diesel | 50 mpg | £1,210 |
| Petrol Hybrid | 55 mpg | £1,150 |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 100+ mpg | £600 (if charged regularly) |
Actual costs depend on your driving style, vehicle, and current fuel prices. These figures assume average UK fuel prices.
How Much Can You Save
Here is a real calculation showing the impact of finding cheaper fuel:
Example: 10,000 miles per year at 40 mpg
- 10,000 miles divided by 40 mpg equals 250 gallons
- 250 gallons equals approximately 1,136 litres
- Saving 5p per litre equals £56.80 per year
That is just from a 5p per litre saving. If you consistently save 10p per litre by using apps and choosing supermarket fuel, you save over £113 per year.
Over five years, that adds up to £565 or more from simply choosing where you fill up.
Avoid Premium Fuels
Most drivers do not need premium or “premium unleaded” fuels. Fuels like Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate, and Tesco Momentum are marketed as better for your engine, but for the vast majority of cars they offer no meaningful benefit.
Premium fuels:
- Cost 10p to 15p more per litre than standard fuel
- Contain higher octane ratings and cleaning additives
- May benefit very high-performance vehicles designed for them
- Will not improve fuel economy in a standard car
Unless your car manufacturer specifically recommends premium fuel, stick with standard E10 petrol or B7 diesel. You will save money without any impact on your vehicle.
The biggest savings come from combining cheap fuel with efficient driving. Small per-litre savings and sensible driving habits reinforce each other, turning a few pence saved at the pump into £100 or more per year — and £565 or more over five years.
The pattern across the country is remarkably consistent: the cheapest fuel is nearly always away from motorways, in smaller towns and supermarket forecourts, and the fuel is the same standard-grade product wherever you buy it. A short detour on a well-trodden route — or simply timing a fill-up for a day when you are already near a cheaper outlet — captures most of the benefit with almost no extra effort. And because the savings compound across every tank, the habit of buying fuel thoughtfully delivers more over a year than any single discount deal or loyalty scheme. Start with one tank, compare what you pay, and the difference tends to become a permanent habit.