Interactive map reveals cheapest place to buy petrol and diesel near you as fuel prices surge amid Iran conflict
Motorists in Britain have found the price of petrol surging over the past ten days since the US-Israel war with Iran began amid concerns over the soaring cost of oil.
But drivers could still save themselves hundreds of pounds a year just by filling up at a different petrol station, thanks to the Daily Mail's exclusive real-time price map.
Using live data from 15 major fuel companies, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and BP, our team have created a tool so you can find the cheapest fill-up near you.
Research from when the tool went live last year found the average driver could save £10 a fill-up, or nearly £200 a year, by switching to a station that is 20p cheaper per litre – the difference between the cheapest and most expensive pumps in one area.
As the Middle East conflict continues, UK drivers have been urged to consider cutting out 'non-essential journeys' because fuel prices are rising as the cost of oil soars.
AA president Edmund King, who issued the advice, also suggested motorists should change their driving style to be more fuel efficient and therefore save money.
Oil prices - which have a significant effect on the cost of wholesale fuel – went above $100 (£73) a barrel yesterday for the first time since 2022 in response to the conflict.
Since the war began on February 28, the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts has increased by 5p to 137.5p, while diesel is up 9p to 151.0p.
However, the price of Brent crude was more than 8 per cent lower at just under $91 a barrel in this morning's trading after US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could be over soon.
Markets also responded by recovering some of the recent ground lost in the sell-off, with the FTSE 100 Index rising 1.6 per cent soon after opening, up 165.3 at 10,414.8.
Analysis of the historic link between oil and fuel prices by think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows oil trading at $100 a barrel typically results in petrol prices of 150p per litre; while oil hitting $120 a barrel means 170p per litre for petrol.
Mr King said: 'The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil. Any time Brent Crude passes $100 per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.
'There will be gradual increases in pump prices, but this shouldn't happen overnight as fuel has been purchased at previous prices.
'Our suggestion is that drivers should not change their refuelling habits but can consider cutting out some non-essential journeys and changing their driving style to conserve fuel.'
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: 'Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.
'Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre. We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices.'
Downing Street said the suggestion from the AA about limiting journeys was not linked to any supply shortage.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'I understand those comments are more about consumer advice to save money rather than any suggestion that we are low on supply.'
The spokesman added: 'We are obviously closely monitoring prices in light of the situation in the Middle East.'
In response to the crisis, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced calls to scrap a planned 5p increase in fuel duty due to be phased in from September.
The No 10 spokesman said: 'The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review and takes decisions at budgets.'
The oil price decline this morning follow comments by Mr Trump that the war against Iran may be short-lived although he also threatened intensified action if Iran made any 'attempt to stop the globe's oil supply'.
Investor nerves were soothed as Mr Trump said the Iran conflict was 'going to be a short-term excursion' despite Iran's move to select a new hardline supreme leader.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said today: 'Global equity markets are still taking their cues from oil this morning – but the tone has notably improved after yesterday's wild swings.
'What initially looked like a one-way surge in energy costs and the inflation headaches that come with it has started to stabilise, offering some much-needed breathing room.'
But experts warned oil prices and markets would remain volatile.
The price per litre of unleaded petrol and diesel at a Shell petrol station in London yesterday
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at the Wealth Club, said: 'Given that the fighting is continuing and the key Strait of Hormuz remains impassable, worry is still percolating.
'Oil prices remain more than 25 per cent higher than before the conflict began. Concerns that a severe inflationary shock could occur – which could see interest rates rise later this year – have abated.
'Even so, policymakers at the Bank of England are set to stay in wait-and-see mode and keep rates on hold for many months until the full repercussions for consumer prices become clear.'
Financial markets are now only pricing in an even chance of a rate cut by the end of the year – a sharp reversal of previous predictions which had seen the Bank cutting rates as soon as next week.
Neil Wilson, a senior strategist at Saxo, said: 'Volatility will persist and we now should note risks from escalatory shocks which would hit bonds and stocks and force up oil and gas prices once more, but there is at last a sense of credible de-escalation, even if Iran might view things otherwise.
He added the 'G7 stands ready to release oil reserves', which has also helped calm nerves over oil prices.
