With increased fuel prices, the UK has seen some of the most dramatic price hikes in years. Diesel prices are averaging 191.1per litre, which is a 50p average increase since late February. In fact, many premium forecourts are seeing diesel priced well over £2.00 per litre. For petrol, this is up nearly 27p, averaging 158.2p per litre.
Being smart when and where you fill up and your driving habits can have a significant impact on fuel prices.
Find out how to save on fuel below!
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Six expert tips for fuel-efficient driving
Saul Turner, our general manager, reveals the less-obvious habits to help you squeeze every penny out of your fuel.
- Remove excess weight – Remove excess and unnecessary weight from your car, for example, roof racks, sports equipment (golf clubs), boot junk and accumulated rubbish. This will improve the fuel efficiency of your car as it requires less energy for the vehicle to move. For example, a roof rack can increase fuel consumption by up to 20% due to aerodynamic drag.
- Keep your tyres in good condition – You should regularly check your tyres for underinflation or excessive wear (below 3mm), as this can increase fuel usage.
The increase between a worn tyre and the road means the tyre lacks efficient grip, causing it to lose energy and require more force to keep the car moving. According to Martin Lewis, tyres in bad condition can add 3% or 4% to your fuel bill.
- Follow the 10-degree air-con rule – Air conditioning increases fuel efficiency. Instead of using ‘max cold’, use it carefully to bring the car’s temperature to around 10 degrees lower than the outside temperature. This will prevent the compressor from working in overdrive, a main fuel-killer. If you are driving below 45mph, open the window slightly and avoid using the air conditioning at all.
- Check your fuel cap – Check the rubber seal and protection around your fuel cap and fuel door. If they are damaged, or the fuel cap is loose, fuel could be evaporating out of your tank without you even realising. Double-check the cap to ensure you are not losing the fuel you just bought.
- Park ready for departure – You should think about the direction you’ll be leaving when parking, especially for short-trip efficiency. Take time to reverse into your parking spot or face the direction you’ll be leaving whilst the engine is already warm. A cold engine is less efficient, and manoeuvring out of a tight spot while the engine is cold burns significantly more fuel than simply driving straight out.
- Avoid starting and stopping – Look ahead to avoid sudden stops. If you see a red traffic light in the distance, immediately take your foot off the accelerator. This allows you to use momentum rather than braking harshly, which wastes energy. It is far more fuel efficient to be slowly approaching at 10mph when the light turns green than to be at a complete standstill.
Expert tips on when & where to fill up to save money on fuel
First established for our The Cost of Motoring: The Financial Reality for UK Drivers. Below, provides advice from our motoring expert and general manager, Saul Turner, who has shared some key tips to help UK drivers save money at the pump.
Fill up early in the week – When it comes to saving money on fuel, the advice is simple: fill up early in the week. We typically see prices rise towards the weekend, with Friday and Saturday being the most expensive days due to increased leisure travel. For the best value, try to get to the pump on a Monday or Tuesday.
Utilise cool temperatures – For those really looking to maximise their savings, getting into the habit of filling up late at night when the air is cooler can make a small difference. Colder temperatures make the fuel denser, so technically, you get a fraction more for your money. However, per fill up, this will only save you pennies, not pounds.
Fill up at the supermarkets – It’s also best to fill up at a supermarket, as they are consistently the most affordable option. Their prices are often several pence per litre lower than the UK average. On a standard 50-litre tank, sticking to a supermarket station is currently saving UK drivers roughly £2.30 per fill-up, with an average of 188.8p per litre for diesel and 155.5p per litre for petrol (as of mid-April 2026). Diesel drivers could save 4.7p per litre and petrol drivers could save 4.6p per litre at the supermarket.
Sources:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/cheaper-fuel
https://www.fuel-finder.uk/uk-fuel-price-index
https://www.petrolprices.com/news/uk-fuel-market-update-april-2026-diesel-leading-the-price-surge/
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/efficient-driving/
https://news.motability.co.uk/everyday-tips/how-to-save-money-at-the-fuel-pump/
https://www.wexinc.com/resources/blog/what-time-of-day-is-best-for-buying-fuel-or-charging-your-ev