How to find the cheapest petrol and diesel near you
Published - 4 min read
The quickest ways to find the cheapest fuel near you in the UK, why prices vary so much between nearby stations, and how to avoid paying over the odds.
Why nearby stations charge such different prices
Two forecourts a mile apart can be several pence a litre apart. Each retailer sets its own price, based on what it paid for fuel, local competition and its own margin. Supermarkets often price keenly to bring people into the shop; motorway services and remote stations usually charge more.
Check before you set off
Since the UK government's Fuel Finder scheme started, forecourts have to report their prices to an open data feed. That means you can compare every station near you in one place instead of driving past them.
- Search your postcode or town on the Pennyfill map and sort by price.
- Check the date on each price: one reported a week ago may have changed since.
- Look a little further out. A station a few minutes away can be much cheaper than the nearest one.
Is the cheapest station worth the detour?
A small saving per litre isn't worth a long drive. As a rough guide, a detour pays off when the saving on a full tank is more than the fuel the extra miles use. Our fuel cost calculator helps you work it out for your car.
Make it a habit
- Save the stations you pass regularly, so you can see their prices at a glance.
- Set a price alert, so you hear when fuel near you drops below a price you choose.
- Fill up before long motorway journeys, rather than at the services.
You can also see today's averages, and how supermarkets compare with branded forecourts, on the UK Fuel Price Index.