Shop Around for Fuel and Save Up to £6 a Tank

Drivers filling up at the cheapest forecourts in the UK are paying around 11p per litre less for E10 unleaded than those pulling into the most expensive, according to official UK fuel price data covering more than 7,800 sites nationwide, and that difference adds up to about £6 every time they fill a standard 50-litre tank.

The average price of E10 unleaded currently sits at 159.1p a litre across those forecourts, but the range is considerable. The lower end of the market is charging approximately 152.9p a litre, while the pricier end reaches close to 163.9p a litre. For anyone filling up weekly, that spread could amount to more than £300 over the course of a year if they consistently choose convenience over price.

Diesel drivers face even higher base costs, with the national average sitting at 177.6p a litre according to the same official figures. The same principle applies, though: the gap between the cheapest and most expensive diesel forecourts follows a similar pattern, so checking prices before pulling in remains worthwhile regardless of what fuel your vehicle takes.

The practical takeaway is straightforward. A quick check of local forecourt prices before setting off, particularly before a long journey or a full tank, can reliably put a few pounds back in a driver's pocket. Supermarket forecourts and sites on busier retail roads tend to price more competitively than motorway services or smaller independent stations, so being aware of what is nearby genuinely pays off. Resources such as Car.co.uk can help drivers find information and tools to make more informed motoring decisions, including understanding the real costs of running a vehicle day to day.