UK drivers are facing some of the highest fuel costs in years as petrol and diesel prices reach levels last seen during the energy shocks of 2022.
Average UK pump prices have climbed to 169.68p per litre for unleaded petrol and 191.68p per litre for diesel, according to data from RAC Fuel Watch on Monday, September 14. The rise follows continued pressure on global oil markets linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Fuel Costs Reach Levels Not Seen Since 2022
The latest figures mean filling an average 55-litre fuel tank now costs around £93 for petrol drivers and £105 for those using diesel.
Diesel prices have already moved above the previous high of 191.54p per litre, recorded on April 15. Drivers are now watching prices closely as the market remains affected by higher crude oil costs.
According to Express, motorists may want to consider filling up before the weekend, when prices can sometimes increase as demand rises. Fridays and Saturdays are often among the busiest days for leisure journeys, while Sunday travel can also keep demand elevated.
The difference between days is usually limited, with wider factors such as global oil prices and local competition having a larger impact on what drivers pay.
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Local Fuel Prices Can Make A Significant Difference
While national averages continue to rise, some areas are offering lower prices. In Ballymena, for example, Go Ballymena was selling petrol for 151.9p per litre, almost 20p below the UK average.
For a driver using a 50-litre tank, choosing a cheaper station could reduce the cost of a fill-up by almost £9 compared with paying the national average price.
Fuel experts have pointed to regional price differences as one area where motorists can still reduce spending. The gap between stations can be larger than the variation caused by filling up on a particular day.
Oil Prices Keep Pressure On Petrol Stations
The rise in pump prices has been linked to crude oil trading above $100 (£74.20) a barrel, adding pressure to fuel costs for households and businesses that rely on vehicles.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said current prices are at levels not seen since early August 2022, several months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Williams said: “With oil well over $100 (£74.20) a barrel, there’s no end in sight to high pump prices and the pain it brings to drivers who depend on their vehicles.
“In fact, the average price of diesel may be on the way to overtaking the record high of 199.05p set on June 25, 2022. Petrol, however, is still a long way from its all-time record of 191.53p on July 3, 2022.”
Drivers Face Continued Uncertainty At The Pumps
The latest increases leave motorists exposed to further changes as international oil markets remain volatile. Diesel users are watching closely as prices approach the previous record, while petrol remains below its highest-ever level.
Fuel prices continue to be shaped by global events, meaning short-term savings may depend more on where drivers buy fuel than on the exact day they visit a station.
Data from RAC Fuel Watch showed that the average UK prices on September 14 stood at 169.68p per litre for unleaded petrol and 191.68p per litre for diesel.
