Petrol prices have dropped to a near four-year low in welcome news for the 17million drivers predicted to hit the road over the bank holiday weekend.
But motorists have been told to steer clear of filling up at motorway service stations, which continue to charge sky-high prices for petrol and diesel.
Based on live fuel prices, filling up at motorway services on the busiest routes from today until Monday will cost drivers around an extra £16 over visiting a nearby supermarket or local fuel retailer just a few miles away.
Analysis by the RAC shows the average UK-wide price of a litre of unleaded at forecourts on Thursday was 134.06p.
That is the cheapest price for petrol since July 2021, when it was 133.9p.
The RAC said it was ‘disappointing’ the price drop has not been even steeper, given cuts to oil prices. It believes wholesale costs being paid by retailers indicate the average price of both petrol and diesel should be 4p per litre lower.
Petrol prices have dropped to a near four-year low in welcome news for 17m drivers predicted to hit the road over the bank holiday weekend
Had retailers played fair with the nation’s drivers and passed on lower wholesale costs, a litre of unleaded would be down to 130p, and diesel to 136p.
Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: ‘Drivers will be relieved to know that petrol is at its cheapest point in four years.
‘During that time, we’ve had the pain of record prices with petrol averaging 191.5p (and diesel almost £2 a litre) so some better news at the pumps is very welcome.
‘Now, due to global factors, oil is trading below 65 US dollars, which means the price of both petrol and diesel should fall lower still.
‘Retailers ought to be reducing their prices on a daily basis to reflect the fact they’re paying less for new supply.
‘Perhaps there might even be an announcement about a hefty price cut from one of the biggest retailers.’
Analysis by the RAC shows the average UK-wide price of a litre of unleaded at forecourts on Thursday was 134.06p
The RAC is estimating that more than 17 million leisure trips by car will be made across the UK between Friday and bank holiday Monday.
That is one million more than it expected, ahead of the early May bank holiday period, last weekend.
Inrix – which uses AI to predict traffic levels – said weekend travellers this morning should be on the road before 10am to miss the majority of the traffic.
Those embarking on trips on Saturday, Sunday or Monday should leave either before 11am or after 3pm, it said.
This is Money reviewed fuel prices at the motorway services predicted to see the most traffic and jams this weekend, which could entice drivers to pull over for a break and refuel
Filling up at motorway services this weekend will cost £16 more than nearby local fuel stations
While motorists across the country will welcome the news of cheaper fuel bills, the AA has said that any savings gained at local forecourts will be entirely wiped out if drivers choose to fill up at a motorway service station this weekend.
Three-quarters (77 per cent) of respondents to a new AA survey said the price of fuel at motorway service areas is unacceptable.
For years, they have lived up to a reputation for overcharging on petrol and diesel – and it’s why the majority of drivers avoid them, unless they’re on the brink of running out of fuel completely, according to the survey.
Inrix say the M5 southbound from Junction 15 for Bristol to Junction 23 for Bridgwater is expected to be one of the busiest sections of motorway this evening, with delays forecast to be up to 40 minutes long from 7pm.
Using PetrolPrices.com, This is Money found the nearest motorway services – Welcome Break Gordona at Junction 19 – is selling petrol for a whopping 162.9p a litre, while diesel is 166.9p.
However, a mere 1.7 miles away a local filling station is charging 138.9p for unleaded and 144.8p for diesel – that’s a saving of 24p and 22p respectively.
Come off the M5 at Junction 18 and just four miles from the motorway services is an Asda in Shirehampton selling petrol for 133.7p and diesel for 140.7p.
These savings – 29.2p and 26.2p per litre – when filling the 55-litre tank of an average family car equates to cheaper fuel receipts amounting to £16 for petrol drivers and £14.40 for those with diesel vehicles.
The Inrix forecast also predicts journeys on the M25 clockwise from the South Mimms interchange to Essex will see delays for around three quarters of an hour from 4pm, as commuter traffic will compete for road space with leisure trips.
The BP station at the SF Connect motorway service area off Junction 23 is currently selling petrol and diesel for a respective 159.9p and 165.9p.
However, Tesco Potters Bar (close to Junction 24) just three miles away has unleaded for 130.9p and diesel listed for 136.9p.
This translates to savings of 29p per litre for both fuels, which to fill a tank would see motorists pay almost £16 less than filling up at a motorway services.
Unsurprisingly, the M25 will see some of the worst jams over a bank holiday weekend where 17 million vehicles are predicted to hit the road
The BP petrol station linked to this Welcome Break South Mimms motorway service station is charging 29p-a-litre more for petrol and diesel than a Tesco forecourt a matter of miles away
The AA says motorists should see this gap in fuel pricing close with the introduction of better price transparency, with the Government’s Fuel Finder scheme going live next year.
Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said: ‘Motorway service areas can play an important role in reducing drowsy driving, but many are inclined to ‘drive on’ when they consider the cost of stopping at one.
‘Drivers could be forgiven for feeling held to ransom over the cost of fuel and food when they are readily available at a fraction of the cost a short distance away from the motorway.’
The 13,700-strong AA poll claimed that prices in general were inflated at motorway services.
Just 8 per cent said the prices in their shops are reasonable while 9 per cent believe the price of food and drink are fair.
‘Despite having a captive audience, motorway services may put off future visits if drivers feel they are being ripped off,’ the AA said.
For those driving electric vehicles, just 15 per cent said that there were sufficient charging points available at service areas on UK motorways.
With the Government’s ambition of 6,000 high-power chargers on England’s motorway and A-road network by 2035, there is more to be done to help convince drivers to make the switch.
