UK petrol prices hit highest level in almost four years as bank holiday getaway looms

UK motorists face the steepest petrol prices since 2022, with the average cost per litre rising to 161.6 p for gasoline and 183.4 p for diesel, according to data from the AA. The spike comes just before the long‑weekend bank holiday, when the country’s motorways and major roads are expected to see traffic volumes at their highest since records began in 2015.

The AA’s breakdown of pump prices shows that the last time petrol reached this level was in November 2022, a period that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a sharp rise in global fuel costs. The current figure represents a significant increase over the 2019 average of 138.5 p for petrol and 151.6 p for diesel.

The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) estimates that the UK’s motorways could carry more than 4.1 million cars on the day of the bank holiday, making Friday the worst day for heavy traffic. “We expect the traffic to be the most congested since records began,” the RAC said, citing the long‑weekend travel rush.

Luke Bosdet, a senior analyst at the AA, said the rise in petrol prices shows that “UK pump pricing is back to its worst.” He added that “it is too often overpriced and uncompetitive, with too many communities denied road fuel at a reasonable price.” Bosdet also noted that a single competitively priced forecourt can often pull down local fuel prices, including those at nearby supermarkets, and urged drivers to find and use those stations.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that fuel retailers are under scrutiny this year. The regulator told stations it would increase monitoring of pump prices amid concerns over profiteering as international tensions, including the United States’ military action against Iran, drive up wholesale costs. Earlier this summer the CMA found that many petrol stations were slow to pass on reductions in wholesale energy prices to customers.

The global oil market has also played a role. Brent crude, the benchmark for oil prices, fell from a peak of $126 a barrel in April to $71 at the start of July amid hopes of a peace deal, before rising to $89.63 per barrel in late July. These fluctuations impact wholesale fuel costs, which in turn affect pump prices.

The government’s Fuel Finder scheme allows drivers to compare fuel prices at stations across the UK. The AA’s analysis revealed that in some areas, petrol was sold at about 10 p below the national average on Thursday night, with stations in Aylesbury, Wembley and Gloucester offering lower prices.

In response to the fuel price issue, the CMA has sent more than 1,000 warning letters to retailers who failed to share their prices with the Fuel Finder service. The letters serve to enforce transparency and help consumers locate cheaper fuel.

As the bank holiday weekend approaches, motorists are advised to check the Fuel Finder app or website for the latest prices and to plan their routes to avoid the most congested corridors. The combination of high pump prices and heavy traffic is expected to add financial strain to drivers who are already coping with rising living costs.