Petrol and diesel drivers issued 'ominous' warning as fuel price hikes could be 'all but inevitable'

Petrol and diesel drivers are being warned that fuel prices could rise once again amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The latest data from RAC Fuel Watch shows that drivers are paying an average of 157.21p per litre for petrol and 188.26p for diesel.

This is a small jump compared to before the bank holiday weekend, with prices rising by 0.21p per litre for unleaded, although diesel has fallen 0.15p.

Despite this, diesel drivers are still 32.3 per cent more than they were at the start of the outbreak of war in Iran on February 28, 2026.

Fuel prices peaked on April 15 at 158.31p and 191.54p for unleaded and diesel respectively, with soaring oil prices having a devastating impact on costs at the pump.

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, described April as a "month of two halves" for drivers heading to forecourts.

He highlighted how the second half of the month saw prices fall back slightly, although drivers were still facing pressure, especially when paired with the cost of living crisis.

The expert continued, saying: "The outlook for the first couple of weeks of May, however, is more ominous.

"Wholesale petrol and diesel prices jumped by around 5p a litre last week, and are now at their highest since the war began.

"This hasn't yet been reflected at the pumps - petrol is up by just a fraction of a penny so far this month, and diesel has continued to slowly drift downwards.

"But if oil prices, and in turn wholesale fuel prices, remain at elevated levels over the coming weeks, then future price rises at forecourts are all but inevitable."

Mr Williams called on drivers to ensure they are shopping around when trying to find fuel, as research suggests they could save up to £9 per tank when using comparison sites.

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Earlier modelling showed that Labour's new Fuel Finder tool could help drivers save between one and six pence per litre when shopping around.

This has helped Northern Ireland benefit from falling prices quicker than the rest of the UK, with drivers using the Consumer Council Fuel Price Checker.

The tool has been available to drivers for a long time, with drivers in Northern Ireland routinely finding cheaper costs for both petrol and diesel.

At present, motorists in Lisburn are paying an average of just 147.6p per litre for petrol, while forecourts in Newry, Ballycastle, Larne, Newtownards and Newcastle are charging less than 175p for diesel.

Most expensive petrol prices

EG Rivington North and South PFS, Bolton, Greater Manchester (BL6 5UZ) - 185.9p

Lochaline Filling Station, Morvern, West Highlands (PA80 5AD) - 184p

Hilton Park South Service Area, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire (WV11 2AT) - 180.9p

Ferrybridge Service Area, Knottingly, West Yorkshire (WF11 0AF) - 180.9p

Leigh Delamere West Service Area, Chippenham, Wiltshire (SN14 6LB) - 180.9p

Most expensive diesel prices

Steisean Connaidh Chrosabol, Crossapol, Inner Hebrides (PA77 6UP) - 218.4p

Cluanie Inn Hotel, Inverness, Highlands (IV63 7YW) - 211.64p

EG Rivington North and South PFS, Bolton, Greater Manchester (BL6 5UZ) - 204.9p

Hilton Park South Service Area, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire (WV11 2AT) - 204.9p

Ferrybridge Service Area, Knottingly, West Yorkshire (WF11 0AF) - 204.9p