UK Drivers Score Cheapest Christmas Fuel Since Pandemic! Despite a small November bump, petrol and diesel prices are still far from biting, thanks to stable oil prices and some serious savings compared to last year.
Fuel Prices Tick Up Slightly But Savings Still Huge
Last month saw petrol edge up 1p to 136.5p per litre, and diesel jump almost 2p to 142.25p per litre. Filling up a typical 55-litre family car now costs around £75 for petrol and £78 for diesel.
But don’t panic – prices are still slashed compared to last year. Petrol is 10.5p cheaper, saving you nearly £6 per tank. Diesel drivers enjoy an even bigger drop of 12p, pocketing £6.60 per fill-up.
When you look back two years, the savings explode: petrol is 23.4p cheaper, saving £12.90 per tank, and diesel is a massive 41.7p less, slashing your costs by a whopping £22.90.
Regional Price Swings: Northern Ireland Cheapest, England Most Costly
- Northern Ireland drivers pay the least — with petrol at 130.6p and diesel 135.2p, both 6-7p below the UK average.
- England remains the priciest spot, with petrol hitting 136p and diesel 141.7p.
- Scotland and Wales fall in between, with petrol around 134.5p–134.9p and diesel near 140p.
Supermarkets keep delivering bargains too, offering petrol 3.3p and diesel 3.6p cheaper than average forecourt prices.
Stable Oil Prices But Retailers Under Scrutiny
Oil prices held steady at about $73 a barrel in November, while the pound hovered near $1.28. Wholesale prices barely moved, yet the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warns that drivers are still getting ripped off, estimating a massive £1.6 billion overcharge this year due to poor competition.
RAC Weighs In: Savings Welcome But More Competition Needed
“Despite slight rises in November, this Christmas offers big savings versus last year, with petrol down 10.5p and diesel 12p. Drivers making long festive trips can save around £6 per tank,” says Simon Williams, RAC Head of Policy.
“Prices could be even lower if retailers had fairer margins. We welcome the Government’s new mandatory fuel price reporting scheme, which should boost competition and cut costs further.”
Save Even More with the myRAC App
The RAC urges drivers to download the free myRAC app, featuring a fuel price finder that hunts out the cheapest fuel within 10 miles. Every penny saved on fuel counts this Christmas.
For full fuel price trends and info, check out the RAC Fuel Watch online.
This festive season, families can look forward to cheaper journeys and a lighter cost at the pump. Time to load up the car and hit the road – without emptying your wallet!
