How to Compare UK Petrol and Diesel Prices Near You

UK drivers can use the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s weekly petrol and diesel prices as a national benchmark, then compare it with prices at nearby forecourts before filling up. The collection page is the place to check the latest published figures; its weekly averages do not guarantee what any particular station charges today.

Check the date on the latest fuel-price release

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes a weekly road-fuel price collection. Look at the date attached to the latest release before using its figures: a weekly average describes the period covered by that release, not necessarily the price on the day you read it.

The source provided for this guide does not include a verified release date or current petrol and diesel figures. Rather than guess, check the collection directly for the latest published values. Do not treat them as prices for 12 October 2026 unless a release dated that day is available.

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Compare the national benchmark with nearby forecourts

Once you have the latest published average, compare it with prices at stations you could realistically use. A forecourt price display, a station’s own app or a current fuel-price listing can help you check local offers. Confirm the price and date directly before making a detour.

Keep the comparison like for like: check petrol against petrol and diesel against diesel. Note whether the station is on a route you already travel, since a lower price may not save money if reaching it adds a significant journey. This comparison can help with budgeting for a fill-up.

A simple check can help:

• Find the latest release on the government collection page and note its date.
• Record the published UK average for your fuel type.
• Check current prices at two or three convenient nearby stations.
• Compare the figures, allowing for the release date and any extra travel.

What the weekly average can and cannot tell you

A national average is useful for judging whether a local price appears higher or lower than the broader benchmark. It combines prices across a wider area, so it cannot tell you the price at a specific forecourt or guarantee what you will pay when you arrive.

Local prices can differ by station, location and fuel type. They can also change after the collection’s reporting period. For a decision about where to fill up now, the current price at the station matters more than an older national average.

Make the final check before setting off

Use the government figures to provide context, then verify the nearby station’s price before travelling. If the local price is close to the national benchmark, convenience may matter more than a small difference. If it is notably lower, check that the listing is current and that it covers the fuel your vehicle uses.

The next useful check is the date and figures on the Department’s latest weekly release, followed by a current local price for the same fuel type. That keeps the comparison grounded in both a national reference point and what a driver can actually pay nearby.

Source: GOV.UK