UK Petrol & Diesel Prices This Week – 20 July 2026
UK petrol prices remain a major household cost for drivers nationwide. This week, the national average price of petrol (E10) stands at 154p per litre, while diesel (B7) averages 179.2p 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 154p per litre nationwide based on the latest official UK Government Fuel Finder data. Diesel (B7) is averaging 179.2p per litre.
For a typical 55-litre family car, filling up with petrol at the current national average costs approximately £84.7. A full diesel tank costs around £98.6.
These totals highlight how even modest price movements can quickly affect household budgets. Petrol has fallen by a further 0.4p this week and diesel by 2.6p, extending a five-week run of declines across both fuel types.
The diesel–petrol spread has now narrowed to 25.2p, down sharply from the 32p range seen in early June. For diesel drivers this represents the most significant sustained improvement of the year — a full tank now costs roughly £5 less than it did at the start of June. The compression reflects a combination of normalising European refinery output, softer wholesale diesel costs, and steady sterling, all of which have kept downward pressure on the pump price.
Petrol has also continued to ease, though at a gentler pace. Brent crude remains below $70 per barrel and the pound has held firm against the dollar, both of which support lower import costs. Summer demand is providing some floor to petrol volumes, but it has not been enough to offset the broader downward pressure on wholesale prices.
Regional Differences Across the UK
Fuel prices vary considerably by location.
This week, Belfast is the cheapest major city for petrol at 148.1p per litre. Manchester and Glasgow also remain comfortably below the national average.
At the other end of the scale, Southampton is currently the most expensive major city, averaging 156.6p per litre. London continues to rank among the most expensive, while Brighton and Bristol remain above the national average with limited supermarket competition in parts of those cities.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive cities now stands at 8.5p 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 North–South gradient remains the defining feature of the UK fuel market. Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England benefit from both lower operating costs and intense supermarket rivalry. Southern England, with higher site costs and fewer supermarket forecourts in some areas, continues to see higher averages. The gradual narrowing of the diesel spread has slightly reduced regional diesel gaps, but petrol differences remain broadly unchanged.
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, the supermarket chains have once again led the diesel reductions. Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's have cut diesel by a further 2–3p per litre across most of their networks.
Branded stations continue to lag behind. Shell and BP have trimmed diesel by roughly 1p per litre on average, leaving the supermarket–branded diesel gap at around 3–5p per litre. For petrol the gap is narrower, at roughly 2–3p, but still large enough to make supermarket forecourts the default choice for cost-conscious drivers.
The persistence of this gap reflects differences in pricing strategy rather than fuel quality. All petrol and diesel sold at UK forecourts meets the same British and European standards regardless of retailer, so the price difference is driven by margin decisions, not product specification.
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. The five-week downward trend has been welcome, but diesel still costs over £98 for a full tank at the national average, so the absolute savings from comparing local forecourts remain substantial.
Monitoring prices locally remains one of the simplest ways to reduce overall motoring costs. With wholesale costs still soft and sterling firm, further modest falls are possible in the coming weeks, although the rate of decline is likely to slow as the summer progresses.
For weekly trend data, brand-level comparisons, and historical context, 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, Edinburgh, or Leeds for a local snapshot, and compare Asda 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.