Current Prices: Petrol 135.67p/L | Diesel 149.01p/L

UK fuel prices have recorded their sharpest weekly increase in years as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global oil supplies. Petrol jumped 3.5p per litre while diesel soared 6.9p – extraordinary rises that will hit drivers hard at the pump.

A 50-litre tank of petrol now costs £67.84, up £1.75 from last week. Diesel drivers are paying £74.51, a painful £3.45 more than seven days ago.

The Numbers This Week

  • Petrol (ULSP): 135.67p per litre – up 3.5p this week
  • Diesel (ULSD): 149.01p per litre – up 6.9p this week

These are the largest weekly increases since the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. With oil prices now trading above $100 a barrel, further rises are expected.

Year-on-Year Comparison Flips

For the first time in months, the year-on-year picture has shifted dramatically. Petrol remains 3.7p cheaper than March 2025 – but that gap is closing fast. Diesel has now crossed into negative territory: drivers are paying 2.4p more per litre than this time last year.

Just a few weeks ago, motorists were enjoying year-on-year savings of nearly 8p on petrol and over 5p on diesel. Those savings have been wiped out in a matter of days.

What’s Driving the Surge?

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has now entered its second week with no signs of de-escalation. Oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022, driven by disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – through which around 20% of the world’s oil passes.

The price breakdown shows where the increases are hitting:

  • Petrol base cost (pre-tax): 60.11p – up significantly from 56.81p a fortnight ago
  • Diesel base cost (pre-tax): 71.23p – up sharply from 64.93p
  • Fuel duty: 52.95p (unchanged)
  • VAT at 20%: 22.61p (petrol) / 24.84p (diesel)

Diesel’s wholesale cost has risen faster than petrol, explaining the steeper increase at the pumps.

The Diesel Premium Widens Further

The gap between petrol and diesel has now stretched to 13.34p per litre – up from around 10p just two weeks ago. Diesel drivers are paying £6.67 more per 50-litre tank than petrol users.

This widening spread reflects diesel’s greater exposure to global supply chain disruptions and the specific impact on Middle Eastern refining capacity.

How High Could Prices Go?

Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows the historic relationship between oil and pump prices:

  • Oil at $100/barrel: Petrol around 150p per litre
  • Oil at $120/barrel: Petrol around 170p per litre

RAC head of policy Simon Williams warned last week: “Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre.”

With petrol already at 135.67p and diesel at 149.01p, those predictions are looking increasingly likely.

Expert Advice: Drive Smarter, Shop Around

AA president Edmund King has urged drivers to consider cutting non-essential journeys and adopting fuel-efficient driving habits to offset rising costs.

Key tips to make your fuel go further:

Drive smoothly – Harsh acceleration and braking can increase consumption by up to 30%.

Slow down – 70mph uses 9% more fuel than 60mph, and 15% more than 50mph.

Check tyre pressures – Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption.

Remove excess weight – Every 50kg costs around 2% more fuel.

Combine trips – A warm engine is more efficient than a cold one.

Shop Around – It’s Never Been More Important

During volatile periods, price differences between stations widen significantly. The gap between the cheapest supermarket forecourt and a premium branded station could now be 15-20p per litre or more.

On a 50-litre tank, that’s £7.50 to £10 – a significant saving for a quick price check before filling up.

Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you. We’re also tracking fuel availability through crowdsourced reports, so you can avoid queues and empty pumps.

What Happens Next?

The trajectory depends entirely on the conflict. If oil remains above $100 for an extended period, expect petrol to reach 140-150p and diesel to approach 160p or higher.

For now, drivers should expect continued increases at the pumps over the coming weeks. The best defence is to drive efficiently, shop around for prices, and consider whether every journey is essential.

We’ll continue tracking prices daily. Check back next week for the latest update.