LONDON — Petrol prices in the UK have climbed to their highest level since 2022, adding to the cost pressure on drivers ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The AA says the average price of petrol has risen to 161.6p a litre, while diesel now averages 183.4p a litre.
The last time petrol was this expensive was in November 2022, when prices surged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The latest rise comes as millions of motorists prepare for long journeys across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where the bank holiday will be marked.
The RAC says the timing could intensify congestion on the roads as well as household spending.
RAC warns of record traffic levels on motorways and major roads
The RAC has predicted that the UK’s motorways and major roads could see the heaviest traffic since its records began in 2015. It says Friday is likely to be the worst day, with more than 4.1 million cars expected to be on the move.
The forecast reflects the usual pressure of a late-summer getaway, but this year it is set against higher fuel bills. For many families, even short trips can become noticeably more expensive when petrol is above 160p a litre nationwide.
The motoring group’s warning suggests drivers may face both longer journeys and a bigger fuel bill, particularly on key routes heading out of towns and cities.
Competition watchdog steps up monitoring of forecourt pricing
The Competition and Markets Authority has told fuel retailers this year that it will increase monitoring of pump prices amid concern about profiteering. The move comes as wholesale oil costs have moved sharply in recent months following tensions involving the US and Iran.
Before the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February, Brent crude traded at about $72 a barrel. It later peaked at $126 in April, fell back to $71 at the start of July on hopes of a peace deal, and is now trading at $89.63.
The CMA also found this summer that many petrol stations were too slow to pass on falls in wholesale energy prices to customers. That finding has added to scrutiny of how quickly savings reach drivers at the forecourt.
Fuel Finder shows wide local variation in pump prices across the UK
A government scheme called Fuel Finder now allows motorists to compare fuel prices at petrol stations across the UK. The AA says the system has already highlighted sharp local differences in what drivers pay.
On Thursday night, the AA found petrol being sold at around 10p below the national average in some areas, including Aylesbury, Wembley and Gloucester. Luke Bosdet of the AA said one competitively priced forecourt can often bring down prices in the surrounding area, including nearby supermarkets.
He said drivers simply need to find those cheaper stations and use them. Earlier this month, the CMA said it had issued more than 1,000 warning letters to retailers who had failed to share their prices with the Fuel Finder service.
Motorists urged to shop around as fuel bills remain uneven
The AA says the present market shows how uneven fuel pricing can be from place to place, even within the same region. In some communities, drivers may still be able to find prices below the national average if they are prepared to compare forecourts before filling up.
Bosdet said UK pump pricing is back to its worst, arguing that it is too often overpriced and uncompetitive and that too many communities are denied road fuel at a reasonable price. His remarks underline the frustration many motorists feel when wholesale costs fall but retail prices stay high.
With holiday traffic due to peak on Friday and prices already near multi-year highs, drivers face a costly combination of congestion and expensive fuel.
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