UK Petrol & Diesel Prices This Week – 13 July 2026
UK petrol prices remain a major household cost for drivers nationwide. This week, the national average price of petrol (E10) stands at 154.4p per litre, while diesel (B7) averages 181.8p per litre across the country.
With fuel forming one of the largest ongoing expenses for motorists, even small regional differences can significantly impact weekly and monthly budgets.
National Petrol & Diesel Overview
Petrol (E10) is currently averaging 154.4p per litre nationwide based on the latest official UK Government Fuel Finder data. Diesel (B7) is averaging 181.8p per litre.
For a typical 55-litre family car, filling up with petrol at the current national average costs approximately £84.9. A full diesel tank costs around £100.
These totals highlight how even modest price movements can quickly affect household budgets. Petrol has fallen by 0.6p this week and diesel by 2.7p, continuing the sustained downward trend that began in late June.
The diesel–petrol spread has now compressed to 27.4p, down sharply from the 32p range seen just a month ago. For diesel drivers this is a notable shift — a full 55-litre tank now costs roughly £3.50 less than it did at the start of June. The diesel market is benefiting from improving European refinery availability and softer wholesale costs, both of which are being passed through to the pump at an unusually steady pace.
Petrol's fall has been more modest but still meaningful. With Brent crude trading below $70 per barrel and sterling holding firm against the dollar, the cost of imported unleaded has continued to drift lower, even as summer demand provides some support to retail volumes.
Regional Differences Across the UK
Fuel prices vary considerably by location.
This week, Belfast is the cheapest major city for petrol at 148.6p per litre. Manchester and Liverpool continue to rank among the cheapest mainland cities.
At the other end of the scale, Southampton is currently the most expensive major city, averaging 157.2p per litre. London remains near the top of the table, and Brighton has moved higher as limited supermarket coverage in parts of the city keeps prices elevated.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive cities now stands at 8.6p per litre.
For drivers filling a 55-litre tank, that regional difference equates to roughly £4.7 per fill-up — a meaningful saving simply by choosing the right forecourt.
The regional pattern continues to follow the familiar gradient: Northern Ireland and Scotland anchor the bottom of the table, the Midlands and North of England cluster around the national average, and much of Southern England sits above it. The compression of the diesel spread means that diesel price differences between regions have narrowed slightly, but petrol gaps remain as wide as ever.
Why Prices Vary by Region
Regional fuel prices are influenced by a combination of factors including:
- Local competition between forecourts
- Supermarket versus branded station pricing strategies
- Transport and distribution costs
- Urban versus rural operating expenses
Areas with strong supermarket competition often see tighter pricing, while regions with fewer stations can experience higher averages. This week's diesel fall has again been led by the supermarket chains. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's have cut diesel prices by a further 2–3p per litre across most regions, extending their lead over branded competitors.
Branded stations are slowly catching up. BP and Shell have trimmed diesel by roughly 1p per litre on average, but the supermarket–branded gap for diesel now sits at around 3–5p per litre — among the widest of the year so far. This presents a clear opportunity for diesel drivers willing to seek out supermarket forecourts.
Wholesale petrol costs continue to ease, though more gradually. The combination of lower crude prices and a stronger pound is filtering through, but retail petrol competition is less aggressive than for diesel, keeping the pace of petrol falls slower.
What This Means for Drivers
Fuel costs remain highly sensitive to location. While national averages provide a useful benchmark, individual motorists can often save several pounds per tank by comparing nearby stations.
Over the course of a year, even a £5 saving per tank can add up to over £250 for drivers filling up weekly. For diesel drivers, the recent run of falls has been the most encouraging stretch of the summer — but with branded stations still lagging, the single most effective action remains choosing a supermarket forecourt over a branded one.
Monitoring prices locally remains one of the simplest ways to reduce overall motoring costs. The current trend suggests further modest falls are likely in the coming weeks, particularly for diesel, although any disruption to wholesale supply could reverse the direction quickly.
For weekly averages, brand comparisons, and historical trends, visit our insights page.
Find the Cheapest Fuel Near You
To compare live pump prices in your area, use find cheapest fuel near you. The site uses official UK Government data updated regularly to help drivers identify the best local prices.
You can check current prices in Birmingham, Glasgow, or Leeds for a local snapshot, and compare Tesco forecourt prices against nearby branded stations to find the cheapest option.
Prices vary by region — see current fuel prices in London for a local snapshot.