DIESEL prices have surged since the start of the Middle East conflict.
The RAC said the average cost of a litre at UK pumps has gone up by 5p on a week ago, to 147p.
Petrol prices rose by an average 3p to 136p.
This means filling a 55-litre family car with petrol has become £1.65 more expensive, and nearly £3 for diesel cars.
Disruption to tanker traffic in the Middle East has affected wholesale fuel prices.
The RAC said: “While the increase has been fast, we’re a long way from 2022 when the average price of petrol hit 191.5p and diesel 199p.”
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While wholesale costs for any retailer buying in new stock will have gone up, it normally takes two weeks for price changes to work their way through to the forecourt.
“Brent crude jumped to 85 US dollars (£64) on Thursday, something we haven’t seen since July 2024.
“If the price of a barrel stays at this level, or increases, then further forecourt rises will be inevitable.
“While the rate of increase has been fast, we’re fortunately a long way from the record prices of 2022 when the average price of petrol hit 191.5p and diesel 199p.”
Analysis of the historic link between oil and fuel prices by think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that oil trading at 100 dollars (£75) a barrel could see petrol prices hit 150p per litre.
Earlier this week, the AA said there was “no need for drivers to break their refuelling routine”.
