How to Compare UK Petrol and Diesel Prices Before You Fill Up
UK drivers can use the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s weekly petrol and diesel figures as a national benchmark, then compare them with prices at nearby forecourts. The figures are averages, not a promise of what any individual station will charge, and the collection page should be checked for the latest published date before making a comparison.
Check the date and fuel type in the weekly figures
The government collection publishes weekly road-fuel price data. Look at the date attached to the latest available figures and identify the separate petrol and diesel prices. A weekly figure describes its stated reporting period; it does not establish a price for 12 October or show that prices changed on that particular day unless the collection includes data for that date.
No dated price values are available here to reproduce. Check the collection itself for the current published figures rather than relying on an undated number or assuming the latest release is from today.
| Figure | What to check |
|---|---|
| Petrol | Latest published date and petrol average on the government collection |
| Diesel | Latest published date and diesel average on the government collection |
Compare the benchmark with nearby stations
Once you have the dated national figures, compare like with like. Check the pump price for the fuel you need at several nearby stations, using a station’s displayed price or a current listing where available. Keep the dates in mind: a forecourt price can change after the government’s weekly data was collected.
A simple comparison can help you judge whether a local price is above or below the national benchmark. It cannot tell you which station is cheapest unless you have current prices for the stations you could actually use. Include the extra distance in your decision: driving farther to save on a litre may not be worthwhile for a small fill-up.
Before setting off, check:
- The government figure’s publication or reporting date.
- Whether you are comparing petrol with petrol or diesel with diesel.
- The current price at the specific forecourt, if available.
- Whether the detour is practical for the amount of fuel you plan to buy.
Why your local price may differ
National averages combine prices across the UK, so they smooth over differences between locations and stations. Individual forecourts set their own prices, and the amount shown at the pump may differ by fuel type. The weekly benchmark is useful for context, but it is not a live station-by-station price list.
Treat the date as part of the number. If the collection’s latest published week is older than the forecourt prices you are checking, the two figures do not describe precisely the same moment. Use the government page for the benchmark and a current station-level price for the decision about where to fill up.
Source: GOV.UK
Context & actions About this article
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The government collection provides weekly national averages; station prices can vary by location, fuel type and date.
- Check the latest published date on the collection page.
- Compare petrol with petrol and diesel with diesel.
- Confirm the current price at the forecourt before travelling.
- Source
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Weekly road fuel prices
- Scope
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- 2026-10-12 09:44
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