Cut fuel costs: find the cheapest petrol and diesel prices near you

As fuel prices hit a six-month high, we share our top tips to help cut your fuel bill, including how to find the cheapest petrol and diesel prices near you.

Fuel price hits six-month high

The cost of filling up a family-sized car has jumped almost £4 since October, with fuel prices rising for five straight months.

New research from motoring site RAC reveals a litre of unleaded now costs 139.65p, the highest pump price seen since early September 2024.

Average diesel prices have also jumped to 146.48p, the highest seen since late August.

"Filling a family-sized petrol car now costs £76.81, up almost £3 since the start of October," RAC said in a release. 

"A diesel fill-up today has now surpassed the £80 mark, with the average cost at £80.56 a tank, up more than £4 since early October last year."

Source: RAC

Prices should start falling at the pump

The good news is that wholesale oil prices have been falling throughout February, and these savings should soon be passed on to motorists at the pump.

RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “It’s disappointing to see pump prices up yet again in February, with drivers now facing some of the highest costs at forecourts since the end of last summer.

"Motorists were the unfortunate casualties of rising wholesale prices through January, not helped by global oil prices hitting the $82-a-barrel mark in the middle of the month.

“But we hope better times are on the horizon. With wholesale fuel costs falling throughout February, there’s a good prospect petrol and diesel prices will come down this month as retailers buy fresh stock at lower prices. As always, it really does pay to shop around because pump prices at supermarket sites vary by as much as 13p a litre.”

If you don't fancy waiting for those savings to be passed on, or want to ensure you get the absolute best price every time you fill up, read on to learn our top tips for finding the cheapest petrol and diesel.

Find the cheapest petrol or diesel station near you

The price you pay for petrol or diesel will vary depending on where you live – and there are even greater variations depending on which specific fuel station you choose to fill up at.

Research suggests finding the best value station when filling up could save you £226 on petrol and £158 on diesel on average every year.

So, be sure to do your homework to find the cheapest station near you.

You can do this easily enough by entering your postcode on PetrolPrices.com and comparing prices nearby, or you can download the app to your phone.

Alternatively, RAC also has an app that lets you track cheap fuel prices near you with its 'fuel finder' feature.

Read more: cheapest and most expensive countries to buy fuel in

Petrol station loyalty cards

Various stations offer fuel loyalty cards, which can help you save on the cost of filling up.

For example, Texaco operates the Star Rewards scheme. You get one point for every litre of petrol or diesel that you buy.

Points are worth 1p and once you hit 500 points, you can turn that into a £5 voucher to use the next time you fill the car.

You'll get 75 bonus points for signing up, getting you well on the way to the 500-point mark.

Alternatively, you can convert those points into vouchers for retailers including Argos and Marks & Spencer.

Shell has replaced Shell Drivers Club with ShellGo+, which rewards you with money off your fuel for every 10 visits (when you spend £10 or more on fuel or at least £2 in the shop).

BP also has its own loyalty scheme BPMe, where you swipe your rewards card at the till when paying for fuel or any products.

Points are effectively worth half a penny each.

You get one point for one litre of regular fuel, and one point for every £1 spent in store or on a car wash. You can get two points per litre of Ultimate fuel purchased. 

When you hit 200 points, you can get £1 off your fuel or you can choose from other rewards. 

If you register your card now, BP is offering a welcome bonus of £2.50. You can read our detailed review of the best fuel loyalty schemes here.

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Pay with the right credit card

Using the right credit card to pay for your fuel is also an easy way to save cash.

For example, Amex Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card lets you earn up to 5% cashback (falling to up to 1% after three months) and can be used at Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, BP, Total and more stores.

As always with cashback cards, only use them if you can pay off your debt in full each month, or the interest you rack up will far outweigh the benefits.

You can compare more options here in our roundup of the top cashback credit cards.

Improve your car's fuel efficiency!

The final way to ensure that you pay as little for your petrol and diesel every time you fill up is to make your fuel go further.

Here are some simple things that the motoring experts at WhatCar? recommend doing to improve your fuel efficiency.

Remove excess weight

Take those bulky items out if you don’t need them – if the baby is staying at home, so can their buggy!

Reduce drag

Things like bike racks and roof boxes add extra wind resistance, so your car has to work harder. If you aren’t using them, take them off.

Look after your car

Get your car serviced regularly and pump up your tyres. Look after your car, and it will look after your bank balance.

Plan your journey

Work out your route before you head off. That way you won’t end up driving further than necessary or get stuck in traffic.

Do you really need the aircon on?

Unless you really need it, leave the air conditioning off. The same goes for all other electrical appliances in the car.

Be gentle

Be gentle with your gear changes and braking.

Engine stop/start

Some modern cars are fitted with engine stop-start technology. Making the most of that, by taking your foot off the clutch when you are stationary, will help you save fuel.

Don’t speed

WhatCar? research suggests that driving at 80mph uses up to 25% more fuel than going at 70mph.