Motorists Urged to Fill Up at Cheapest Petrol Stations to Dodge Price Surge
Drivers across the UK have been issued a stark warning to start filling up their tanks at specific petrol stations in order to avoid significant price hikes expected in the coming days. This urgent advice comes as geopolitical tensions escalate, with recent "major combat operations" involving the US and Israel across Iran, which experts predict will lead to a sharp increase in fuel costs.
Expert Predictions on Fuel Price Increases
AA president Edmund King has highlighted the inevitability of rising pump prices, stating that they could soon return to levels seen at the start of the year. He emphasized, "Pump prices in the coming weeks will inevitably increase, possibly in the short term back up to where they were at the start of the year." This forecast is based on current market trends and the impact of international conflicts on oil supplies.
At the beginning of 2026, the average price for a litre of petrol was 135.7p, a figure that had dropped to as low as 131.9p last month. However, with the new developments, this downward trend is expected to reverse, putting additional financial pressure on motorists.
Supermarkets Offer Cheaper Fuel Options
In light of these predictions, Luke Bosdet, the AA spokesperson on pump prices, has advised drivers to turn to supermarkets for more affordable fuel. Speaking to The Sun, he explained, "Supermarkets tend to hold their prices down for longer. However, with the Government’s Fuel Finder pump-price transparency now becoming established, drivers will soon be able to spot all the cheaper fuel stations locally."
Currently, Asda is the cheapest supermarket for petrol, charging an average of 129.4p per litre, and 138.7p per litre for diesel. Morrisons follows closely as the second cheapest for petrol at 129.8p per litre, with Sainsbury’s at 129.9p. For diesel drivers, Tesco is the second cheapest option at 139.8p per litre, while Sainsbury’s is third at 139.1p per litre.
Impact on Energy Bills and Consumer Concerns
The spike in gas prices, which is a primary driver of UK electricity costs, has been substantial in the context of the last six months due to the Iran conflict. Financial expert Martin Lewis noted on X that while this increase is significant, it is not as severe as the spike seen during the Ukraine war. He stated, "The spike in the gas price (a prime driver of UK electricity prices) due to the Iran conflict is substantial in the context of the last six months, but as the second image shows it isn't a Ukraine war type spike."
Lewis further explained that in the short term, the primary impact on consumer energy bills will be an increase in the price of new fixed-rate energy tariffs. The effect on the Price Cap from July onward will depend on the duration of the price spike; if it is short-lived, the impact will be minimal, but if it persists, it is likely to drive prices up from July. He also highlighted concerns about domestic heating oil costs, which have risen sharply, adding in an update, "This has gone up again today and is now starting to get closer to Ukraine territory, about half the big spike."
Motorists are encouraged to act quickly and take advantage of current lower prices at supermarkets to mitigate the upcoming financial burden. By staying informed and using tools like the Fuel Finder, drivers can make smarter choices to save money on fuel during this period of uncertainty.
