Motorists across the United Kingdom are facing a significant financial hit at the forecourt, with new data revealing the average cost to fill a typical family petrol car has now breached the £75 mark.
Steepest Monthly Rise in Over a Year
According to the latest RAC Fuel Watch analysis, petrol pump prices surged by 2.17p per litre throughout November 2025. This increase has pushed the average national price for a litre of unleaded to 137.17p, representing the highest level seen since mid-March of this year.
The situation is even more severe for diesel drivers. The cost of diesel leapt by 3.84p per litre in the same period, taking the average price to 146.57p. This is a price point not witnessed since late August 2024. The RAC confirmed this is the most dramatic single-month fuel price increase since April 2024, when unleaded rose by 3p a litre.
The Real Cost to Drivers' Wallets
The direct consequence of these wholesale and pump price movements is a heavier burden on household budgets. The RAC calculates that filling a 55-litre family petrol car now costs £75.44 on average, which is £1.19 more than at the end of October.
For diesel vehicles, a full tank now averages £80.61, a rise of £2.11 since the start of November. Supermarket forecourts continue to offer some relief, with average fill-up costs at £73.69 for petrol and £78.69 for diesel, but these too have followed the upward trend.
Once again, drivers in Northern Ireland benefit from substantially lower prices, paying an average of just 129.6p for petrol and 137.7p for diesel.
Budget Announcement Adds to Future Worries
The timing of this price jump is particularly unwelcome for families, with Christmas expenses looming. The RAC stated the increase will be a disappointment to drivers, especially as diesel is now more than 4p per litre dearer than it was a year ago.
Compounding future concerns is last week's Budget announcement regarding fuel duty. The government confirmed the 5p per litre fuel duty discount, introduced in spring 2022, will end. The duty rate will begin to rise from its current 52.95p per litre next September, inevitably increasing the tax burden on all petrol and diesel vehicle owners.
The RAC's analysis is based on official Competition and Markets Authority pump price data from 1-30 November 2025 and wholesale prices from 3-28 November.
