How Much More Does Motorway Fuel Cost? About 20p a Litre

If you have ever winced at the price board at a motorway service station, you were right to. We compared prices at 168 motorway stations with the rest of the UK, using Fuel Finder data on 27 October 2026.

The motorway premium

Motorway services were about 23p a litre dearer than supermarkets for both fuels, and about 21p (petrol) and 20p (diesel) dearer than ordinary forecourts.

What that costs on a tank

Filling a 55-litre tank at the average motorway price instead of the average supermarket price costs roughly:

• Petrol: about £12.87 more
• Diesel: about £12.75 more

On a family trip with two fills, that is a £25 premium for the convenience.

Why is motorway fuel so dear?

There is usually no competitor for miles, so drivers will pay more. Operating costs at motorway sites are also higher. Whatever the reason, you are paying for the location, not for better fuel.

How to avoid the premium

1. Fill up before you join the motorway. Check prices near home with a postcode search and top up there.
2. Leave at the junction before the services. Many stations are within a mile or two of a junction and far cheaper. Look at a map to see what is nearby.
3. Plan the trip. Work out roughly how much fuel you need. Our guide to how much it costs to fill a tank helps.
4. Only stop at services for a break, not for fuel, unless you really have to.

What if I must buy at services?

Put in only what you need to reach a cheaper station, not a full tank. If you are close to empty, it is still worth buying the minimum and finding a normal forecourt after you leave.

Remember the full cost of a detour

Leaving the motorway adds miles and time. For a long trip it is usually worth it, because the saving is large. For a short trip with a nearly full tank, it may not be. We explain how to work it out in is it worth driving further for cheaper fuel?

Planning a long journey this winter? See Christmas road trip fuel costs.

Compare prices in your city: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, or see petrol prices by city.