Save money every fill-up
Best Time to Buy Petrol UK 2026
When to fill up, which stations to avoid, and how supermarket fuel compares to branded. Backed by live price data from 7,000+ UK stations.
Current UK averages— updated hourly
Petrol159.4p
Super Unleaded176.5p
Diesel194.1p
Fuel buying insights
Best days to fill up
- Tuesday and Wednesday are cheapest — supermarkets adjust prices mid-week
- Friday is the most expensive day: demand rises before the weekend
- Bank holidays see sharp price increases at many stations
- Early morning before 8 am can catch prices before daily upward adjustments
Supermarket vs branded
- Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are consistently the cheapest forecourts
- Supermarket E10 meets the same BS EN 228 quality standard as BP or Shell
- Typical saving: 3–6p per litre vs branded stations
- On 40 litres that is £1.20–£2.40 saved per fill-up
Where prices are highest
- Motorway service stations charge 10–20p more per litre
- Rural stations with no nearby competition set their own prices
- Premium branded fuels (V-Power, BP Ultimate) cost 5–10p more than standard
- Airport stations and ferry terminals are consistently the most expensive
How to cut your fuel bill
- Check live prices before leaving — a 2p saving on 40L puts £3.20 back each month
- Keep tyres at the correct pressure — under-inflation increases fuel use by up to 3%
- Remove roof boxes and excess weight when not needed
- Smooth acceleration and engine braking save more fuel than coasting in neutral
Brand price comparison
Average E10 petrol price by brand across all UK stations — live data.
Cheapest brands
1bp(12 stations)
132.1p2Go(24 stations)
150.7p3COSTCO WHOLESALE(20 stations)
151.7p4Maxol(46 stations)
153.7p5SOLO(8 stations)
153.8pMost expensive brands
1WELCOME BREAK(38 stations)
173.6p2CENTRAL CONVENIENCE(14 stations)
165.9p3Highland Fuels(9 stations)
164.0p4Gleaner(23 stations)
163.9p5Pace(21 stations)
163.0pRight now: UK average E10 is 159.4p/L and B7 diesel is 194.1p/L. Search your postcode to see what's available near you.
Price Trends
UK average fuel price over the last 30 days — updated daily from Government data.
Price history building — check back tomorrow
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest day to buy petrol in the UK?
- Tuesday and Wednesday are historically the cheapest days to fill up in the UK. Supermarkets often update prices downward mid-week after monitoring competitor prices. Avoid filling up on Fridays and before bank holidays when prices tend to spike.
- Is supermarket petrol as good as branded petrol?
- Yes. Supermarket petrol meets the same BS EN 228 standard as branded fuel. The main difference is that premium branded fuels (like Shell V-Power or BP Ultimate) contain additional detergent additives, but standard supermarket E10 is identical in quality to standard BP or Shell petrol.
- How much cheaper is supermarket petrol vs branded?
- Supermarket forecourts (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons) are typically 3–6p per litre cheaper than branded stations. On a 40-litre fill, that saves £1.20–£2.40 each time.
- Do motorway petrol stations charge more?
- Yes. Motorway service stations charge significantly more — often 10–20p per litre above the national average. Always fill up before a long motorway journey if possible.
- Does the time of day affect fuel prices?
- Prices can change throughout the day as stations update to match competitors. Early morning tends to see lower prices before daily adjustments kick in. Checking a live price comparison tool before you leave gives you the best chance of catching a dip.
- What is the best way to save money on petrol?
- Use a price comparison tool like PetrolPricesNearYou to find the cheapest station near you. Fill up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, prefer supermarket forecourts, avoid motorway stations, and keep your tyres properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency.
Find cheap fuel near you
Now you know when and where to buy. Search live prices at stations near your postcode.
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