Fuel prices soar before bank holiday getaway
Drivers heading to the roads this long weekend will be hit by the highest fuel prices for four years, official new figures suggest.
The average cost of unleaded petrol has soared to £1.29 per litre, while the price of diesel has also jumped, to an average of £1.33 per litre.
Analysis by the Press Association shows that the price of unleaded petrol is at its highest since August 2014, while diesel hasn’t been this expensive since September 2014.
The price hikes come ahead of the busy summer bank holiday weekend, when an estimated 14.4 million vehicles are expected on the UK’s major roads between Thursday evening and Monday.
CHECK FUEL PRICES: RAC Fuel Watch
Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
• Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams warned that drivers are struggling following a summer of rollercoaster fuel prices across the UK.
Forecourt price hikes have seen the average cost of filling the tank of an average 55-litre family car jumping by some £5.50 since April this year.
Mr Williams said the weakness of the pound has made it more expensive for retailers to purchase fuel, and this cost has been passed onto customers.
He added that higher fuel prices could lead to higher inflation, putting a further squeeze on household spending.
SEE ALSO: How to save fuel — the ultimate guide
The RAC recommends that drivers travelling this weekend consider setting off at quieter times to avoid long queues and help save money on fuel.
Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days on the roads with around 3.6 million cars expected on each, but drivers should prepare for delays throughout the weekend.
To help ease potential delays, Highways England is lifting or completing over 300 miles of roadworks on motorways and major routes from Friday morning.
If you’re heading out this weekend, be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest developments on the roads by using the RAC route planner.
You might also like
Can I get car insurance abroad? All you need to know
No matter where you are driving around the world, you will need car insurance. Here at the RAC, we can help you work out if you're covered.
Video
How to parallel park - our video guide to mastering the manoeuvre
Few manoeuvres strike fear into the hearts of learner drivers like the parallel park. Read our essential guide to parallel parking here.
What is the ‘diesel tax’ and what does it mean for diesel owners?
We take a closer look at the taxes, fees and surcharges facing diesel owners amid the battle to clean up Britain's air.
Road trips in Ireland - six of the best Irish routes
To help you make the most of your trip to Ireland, we’ve picked six journeys to help give you a taste of what makes the Irish so lucky.
The top 10 best road trips in the UK
The best road trips in the UK. From the North Coast 500 in Scotland to the Lake District and the Yorkshire Moors, try one of these top 10 roads in 2024.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10