GB petrol price index

With millions of Brits set to hit the road this weekend as they gear up for Christmas, drivers have been shown the most pocket-friendly places to fill up their fuel tanks.

Many of the nation’s major routes are expected to be gridlocked as a flurry of motorists embark on their festive journeys to visit loved ones, head to office parties or fit in some last-minute shopping – with ‘Frantic Friday’ and ‘Snarl-Up Saturday’ predicted to be the busiest days.*

As drivers prepare to take to the roads, the car insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk have looked at petrol prices in every city across Great Britain, ranking the top 10 cheapest locations to fill up.

The average price of petrol has jumped by 2p over the past month to hit 136.6p a litre – the highest it has been since mid-March.** This sharp rise at the pumps is an added blow to many household budgets that are already feeling the squeeze this festive season.

But by planning ahead and using Tiger’s Christmas Petrol Price Index, drivers can find out which filling stations offer the best value for money and make savings on their fuel bills.

Topping the list as the cheapest city for a festive fill up is Liverpool, where the average price is currently 122.9p – a whopping 13.7p lower than the national average of 136.6p.

Coventry took second spot at 123.9p per litre, with Preston ranking third cheapest at 124.9p.

Only one Scottish city made the top 10 list, with Edinburgh coming in at 129.7p, while no Welsh cities managed to crack the top 10.

At the other end of the scale, Wells in Somerset had the most expensive petrol at 139.9p per litre – 3.3p higher than the national average. Drivers looking for savings may also want to avoid Newport and Cambridge, which came in joint second highest at 138.9p.

 Top 10 cities with cheapest petrol costs

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “As households across the UK continue to struggle with stubbornly high living costs, the recent rise in petrol prices will heap added financial pressure on families, especially in the lead up to Christmas when budgets are even tighter than usual.

“The cost of filling a family petrol car is now £75.17, up £1.27 from the start of November, so finding any savings can make a difference. That is why we have compiled this useful list of the most cost-effective places to fill up your vehicle.

“So, if drivers find themselves near any of these filling stations on their way home this Christmas, it may make financial sense to stop off and take advantage of the lower forecourt prices.

“It is also worth remembering that, while it may be tempting to refuel at a motorway service area due to the convenience factor, drivers should be aware that they could be paying a significant mark-up compared to using supermarket or independent forecourts.”

To help save even more money on fuel, Tiger.co.uk has provided several simple tweaks motorists can make to their driving habits.

Tiger’s top tips to save money on petrol:

1. Check tyre pressure – underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance which means that the engine has to work harder, which uses more fuel.

2. Declutter –  aerodynamic factors aside, the heavier the car, the harder the engine has to work, resulting in higher fuel consumption. 

3. Drive smooth and steady – gentle acceleration and steady speed ensure the most economical use of fuel. 

4. Change gears early when accelerating – switching into the highest possible gear keeps the revs low which saves petrol. 

 5. Plan ahead to avoid congestion – using traffic apps or choosing quieter routes can reduce time spent in slow-moving traffic and improve overall fuel efficiency. 

Tiger.co.uk empowers customers to take control of their finances and find real savings, on items such as car insurance.***

References:
*https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/revealed-the-busiest-travel-days-predicted-for-christmas-2025-111925
**https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/weekly-road-fuel-prices

Fuel prices calculated using ‘Petrol Price’ app, which compares petrol, diesel and premium fuel prices at major UK retailers like Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and more. Petrol stations were limited to within a 5-mile radius of each city listed. Prices accurate as of December 11, 2025.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.