Current Prices: Petrol 137.9p/L | Diesel 152.5p/L

UK fuel prices have climbed sharply over the past week as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to disrupt global oil markets. Petrol is up 2.8% this week while diesel has jumped 5.4% – the steepest weekly increases we’ve seen in years.

Oil prices have now soared above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022, with no immediate signs of the conflict easing.

How Much Have Prices Risen?

Here’s where average UK prices stand as of today:

  • Petrol (E10): 137.9p per litre – up 2.8% this week
  • Super Unleaded (E5): 155.5p per litre – up 2.6% this week
  • Diesel (B7): 152.5p per litre – up 5.4% this week
  • Super Diesel (SDV): 171.7p per litre – up 4.6% this week

Since the conflict began on February 28, petrol has risen by around 5p per litre while diesel is up approximately 9p. A 50-litre tank of petrol now costs £68.95 – roughly £2.50 more than a fortnight ago. Diesel drivers are paying £76.25 per fill, up around £4.50.

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: “Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.”

He added: “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.”

At 160p per litre, a 50-litre tank of diesel would cost £80 – nearly £8 more than today.

Drivers Urged to Cut Non-Essential Journeys

AA president Edmund King has advised motorists to reconsider unnecessary trips: “Our suggestion is that drivers should not change their refuelling habits but can consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel.”

He added: “The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil. Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.”

However, he stressed that price rises should be gradual: “There will be gradual increases in pump prices, but this shouldn’t happen overnight as fuel has been purchased at previous prices.”

How to Save Fuel and Cut Costs

With prices climbing, making each tank go further has never been more important. Here’s how:

Drive smoothly – Avoid harsh acceleration and braking. Anticipate traffic flow and maintain steady speeds. Aggressive driving can increase fuel consumption by up to 30%.

Slow down – Driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than 60mph, and up to 15% more than 50mph. On longer journeys, the savings add up.

Check tyre pressures – Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption. Check them at least monthly and before long journeys.

Remove excess weight – Clear out unnecessary items from your boot. Every extra 50kg increases fuel consumption by around 2%.

Turn off the engine when stationary – If you’re stopped for more than a minute, switch off. Modern cars don’t need to idle to “warm up”.

Combine trips – A warm engine is more efficient than a cold one. Plan errands to do multiple stops in one journey rather than several separate trips.

Use air conditioning sparingly – Air con can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% in stop-start urban driving.

Shop Around – Price Gaps Are Widening

During volatile periods, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive stations widens significantly. Simon Williams advised: “We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices.”

The difference between a 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 – well worth a quick check before filling up.

Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you. With prices changing rapidly, checking before every fill-up could save you significant money over the coming weeks.

The Diesel Premium Hits Record Levels

The gap between petrol and diesel has stretched dramatically. Diesel now costs 14.6p more per litre than petrol – up from around 10p just a week ago. Diesel drivers are paying £7.30 more per 50-litre tank than petrol users.

This widening spread reflects diesel’s greater exposure to global supply disruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz where a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments have been affected.

What Happens Next?

The trajectory of fuel prices depends entirely on how the conflict develops. If oil remains above $100 per barrel for an extended period, expect petrol to reach 150p and diesel to approach 160p or higher.

Edmund King noted: “The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil.”

For now, drivers should expect continued gradual increases at the pumps. The best defence is to drive efficiently, shop around for prices, and avoid non-essential journeys where practical.

Check Prices Before You Fill Up

With prices changing daily, checking before every fill-up is essential. Visit CheckFuelPrices to find the cheapest fuel near you – and report availability to help other drivers avoid empty pumps during this volatile period.