Easter 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most expensive long weekends on record for drivers. Petrol has broken through the 150p per litre mark for the first time in nearly two years, averaging 151p nationally, while diesel has climbed to around 178-180p per litre. If you are heading away this Easter, a little planning before you set off could save you a significant amount at the pump.
Why are fuel prices so high this Easter?
The sharp rise in prices since late February is almost entirely down to the conflict in the Middle East. US and Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February led to a near-shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which around 20% of the world's oil supply normally flows. The disruption has pushed wholesale oil prices above $110 per barrel, and those increases have fed through quickly to UK forecourts.
The RAC has described unleaded as being at its highest level for nearly two years, while diesel prices are at their highest since 2022. With the four-day Easter weekend bringing a surge in road traffic, prices are unlikely to ease before Monday.
The motorway trap — avoid it at all costs
If there is one single piece of advice worth following this Easter, it is this: do not fill up at motorway services. Motorway service stations are currently charging around 166p per litre for petrol and 182p for diesel — that is around 15-16p more than you would pay at a supermarket forecourt. On a 55-litre fill-up, that difference adds up to over £8 wasted simply because of where you stopped.
When to fill up before you leave
If you can, fill up before you set off rather than en route. Prices at your local supermarket forecourt will almost certainly be lower than anything you find on the motorway network. Use Save at the Pump to find the cheapest station near you right now before you leave — prices are updated every hour from official government data.
Prices also tend to creep up on Thursday and Friday before a bank holiday weekend as demand increases, so if you are reading this on Saturday or Sunday, fill up as soon as you can rather than waiting.
Is there a fuel shortage?
There have been reports of isolated queues at a small number of Asda forecourts, but the fuel industry has confirmed that supply across the UK is flowing normally. The government has also stated there is no shortage. The RAC and Petrol Retailers Association are both urging drivers not to panic buy — filling up more often than usual will not protect you from price rises but will create artificial demand and queues at busy forecourts.
Five ways to save money on fuel this Easter weekend
- Fill up locally before you leave. Use Save at the Pump to find the cheapest station near your home before you set off. You will almost certainly beat any price you find on the road.
- Never fill up at motorway services. With petrol at 166p and diesel at 182p, they are charging 15-16p more per litre than supermarkets. Plan your route to include a retail park or supermarket stop instead.
- Use our Worth the Drive Calculator. Enter your MPG and we will tell you exactly whether it is worth making a small detour to a cheaper station, factoring in the fuel you use getting there.
- Drive smoothly. Gentle acceleration, steady speed, and early braking can improve fuel economy by 10-15%. On a long Easter journey that could be worth an extra 20-30 miles from the same tank.
- Do not panic buy. There is no shortage. Filling up more than usual does not save you money — it just shifts the cost forward and creates unnecessary queues for other drivers.
Easter is still worth enjoying — just plan your fuel stops in advance and you will spend far less than the drivers who fill up blindly at the first service station they see. Have a great long weekend. ⛽🐣