UK fuel prices rising at fastest rate in 18 months
Last month the average prices of both unleaded petrol and diesel rose at their fastest rates since April 2024, new data from RAC Fuel Watch shows.
Petrol pump prices went up 2.17p in November, taking the average cost of a litre to 137.17p – the highest price since mid-March 2025. Diesel, however, was up 3.84p in the month with the average cost of a litre now standing at 146.57p, a figure that drivers haven’t seen since late August 2024. The last time fuel prices rose as sharply in a single month was April 2024.
While supermarket prices also increased, with unleaded up 2.46p to 134.48p and diesel up 3.6p to 143.08p, they remain significantly lower than the UK averages.
The cost of filling a family petrol car is now £75.44 (up £1.19 from £74.25 at the end October), with those using supermarket forecourts paying £73.69. A full diesel refill costs £80.61 on average, up £2.11 since the start of the month, and £78.69 at a supermarket.
Drivers in Northern Ireland once again pay substantially less than those elsewhere in the UK, with a litre of unleaded just 129.6p on average and diesel at 137.7p.
“Drivers will be disappointed to see prices at the pumps rise so sharply in the run-up to festive period. Not only is it one of the most expensive times of the year, it’s also a time when many of us drive hundreds of miles to celebrate with family and friends over the extended break, making it a costly Christmas on the roads,” said RAC Head of Policy Simon Williams.
