How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a Car in the UK?
Filling up a car in the UK in 2025/26 typically costs anywhere from £64 for a small 40-litre tank of petrol to more than £127 for a large 70-litre diesel tank. With average pump prices of around 161p per litre for petrol and 182p per litre for diesel (RAC Fuel Watch), the exact figure depends on your car's tank size, the fuel you use, and where and when you fill up.
For most drivers, a full tank is one of the biggest single purchases of the month, so it pays to understand what you are actually paying for and why prices vary so much from one forecourt to the next. In this guide we break down the real cost of a full tank in 2025/26, show worked examples for the most common UK tank sizes, explain the factors that push prices up or down, and share practical ways to save money on every fill. If you know your car's fuel economy, you can also use the UK Petrol Cost Calculator to work out your exact monthly and annual fuel spend in seconds.
What Does Filling Up Cost in 2025/26?
According to RAC Fuel Watch data, the UK average price of unleaded petrol in 2025/26 sits at roughly 161p per litre, while average diesel is around 182p per litre. These are national averages, so individual forecourts can be 10p or more above or below them depending on location and brand.
The vast majority of UK cars have fuel tanks between 40 and 70 litres. That means a typical full tank currently works out at:
- Petrol: roughly £64–£113 depending on tank size.
- Diesel: roughly £73–£127 depending on tank size.
These are estimates based on average 2025/26 prices. Because fuel prices move every week with wholesale markets, the figure on the pump when you visit could be a few pence higher or lower. What is certain is the tax component: fuel duty is charged at a flat 52.95p per litre and 20% VAT is applied on top, so around 80p of every litre of petrol you buy is government tax.
Example Fill-Up Costs by Tank Size
The table below shows what a full tank costs for the most common UK car sizes, using the 2025/26 UK average prices of 161p/l for petrol and 182p/l for diesel.
| Tank size | Typical vehicle | Petrol fill-up (161p/l) | Diesel fill-up (182p/l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 litres | Small city car (e.g. Fiat 500, VW up!) | £64.40 | £72.80 |
| 50 litres | Family hatchback (e.g. VW Golf, Ford Focus) | £80.50 | £91.00 |
| 55 litres | Larger hatchback / small estate | £88.55 | £100.10 |
| 60 litres | Mid-size SUV / estate (e.g. Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Octavia) | £96.60 | £109.20 |
| 70 litres | Large SUV / executive car (e.g. Range Rover, BMW 5 Series) | £112.70 | £127.40 |
Most family hatchbacks hold between 50 and 55 litres, so a realistic answer to "how much is a full tank?" for the average UK driver is £80–£90 for petrol and £91–£100 for diesel in 2025/26.
What Determines the Price You Pay at the Pump?
Two forecourts five minutes apart can charge noticeably different prices for the same fuel. The main factors are:
Region and local competition
Fuel is generally cheaper in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West, and pricier in the South East, London and much of rural Scotland and Wales. Areas with several supermarkets competing for trade see keener prices, while remote villages with a single garage can charge a significant premium because delivery costs are higher and drivers have no alternatives.
Supermarket versus motorway services
Supermarket forecourts are usually the cheapest option, often 3–7p per litre below nearby branded stations. At the other extreme, motorway service stations are the most expensive, typically 10–15p per litre more than off-motorway sites. The difference between a supermarket fill and a motorway-services fill on a 50-litre tank can exceed £7.
Premium and high-performance fuels
Branded "premium" fuels such as Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate and Esso Synergy Supreme+ cost around 5–15p per litre more than standard grade. They can improve performance and efficiency in some engines, but for most everyday driving standard unleaded is the sensible choice.
How to Cut the Cost of Filling Up
Even with fuel at record levels, small habits can save you real money over a year:
- Use a fuel price comparison app. Apps like PetrolPrices, Confused.com and Google Maps show live prices at nearby stations, so you can find the cheapest forecourt without driving around. A 5p-per-litre saving on a 50-litre tank is £2.50 per fill — over £130 a year for a weekly fill.
- Avoid motorway services. Plan your route so you fill up at a supermarket or town-centre garage before joining (or after leaving) the motorway. This single change is often the biggest saving available.
- Keep your tyres at the correct pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can add up to 3% to your fuel consumption, which quietly adds pence to every mile.
- Lighten your load. Remove roof boxes and heavy items you do not need — extra weight and aerodynamic drag burn fuel.
- Don't overfill. Extra fuel is extra weight; filling to the first click rather than the brim saves a little on every trip.
- Combine journeys. A cold engine uses more fuel, so running several errands in one trip beats multiple short starts.
- Check supermarket loyalty schemes. Many grocers now offer members-only fuel discounts, which can be stacked on top of already-low pump prices.
To turn these savings into an exact number for your own car, enter your tank size, fuel type and typical price into the UK Petrol Cost Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to fill a 50-litre tank?
At the 2025/26 UK average of roughly 161p per litre, filling an empty 50-litre tank with petrol costs about £80.50. The same 50-litre fill with diesel at the average of 182p per litre costs about £91.00. Your actual cost varies with the exact pump price and how empty the tank is when you fill up.
Why are motorway fuel prices higher?
Motorway service stations charge a premium for convenience and 24-hour operation. They face higher rents, business rates and running costs, and face little local competition, so prices at motorway services are typically 10 to 15 pence per litre higher than nearby off-motorway forecourts.
Is it cheaper to fill up at supermarkets?
Usually, yes. Supermarket forecourts such as Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's often price fuel 3 to 7 pence per litre below nearby branded stations because they use fuel as a loss leader to drive footfall. Shopping around with a price comparison app can save several pounds per tank.
How much is fuel duty in the UK?
Fuel duty in the UK is a flat 52.95 pence per litre on both petrol and diesel, and Value Added Tax (VAT) of 20% is charged on top. Duty and VAT together make up a large share of the pump price — around 80p of every litre of petrol is tax.
Why does my fill-up cost vary by region?
Fuel prices vary by region because of local competition, delivery and distribution costs, land and business rates, and local demand. Rural areas and regions with fewer competing forecourts tend to pay more, while high-volume supermarket sites in competitive urban areas are usually cheapest.