Fuel costs dip to four-year minimum, promising budget-friendly vacations amidst upcoming bank holiday exodus

Revised Article:

Hey there! Listen up, mates, because there's a silver lining in the cloud for over 17 million drivers this bank holiday weekend. Petrol prices have plummeted to a near four-year low! Sounds like you'll be able to pocket some extra cash for that well-deserved getaway, eh?

But here's the catch. To avoid emptying your wallet at the pump, steer clear of filling up at motorway service stations. Why, you ask? Well, those petrol and diesel prices at motorway services are still ridiculously high compared to what you'd pay at nearby supermarkets or local fuel retailers. And the difference ain't a couple of quid either. The RAC's analysis found drivers would be stung with an extra £16 by filling up at motorway services on the busiest routes this weekend, compared to visiting a nearby supermarket or local retailer just a few miles off the highway.

Think about it. A litre of unleaded in the UK is currently averaging at a low of 134.06p, which is the cheapest price in four years, according to the RAC. But had retailers been decent enough and passed on the lower wholesale costs, you'd be paying just 130p a litre for unleaded and 136p for diesel. That'd save you almost 4p per litre on petrol and diesel, significant for even the most casual bank holiday road trip.

It's a real shame, too, since the RAC thinks global factors should drive the prices even lower. Given the current trends, retailers should be lowering their prices daily, reflecting the cheaper wholesale costs. But what do these money-grabbing retailers do, huh? They ain't passing the savings along to us customers, often charging sky-high prices at motorway services.

In fact, the RAC's grumble comes as no surprise to the AA, which conducted a survey and found that three-quarters of respondents say the price of fuel at motorway service areas is simply unacceptable. It's just more proof that these service stations have been overcharging on petrol and diesel for years, which is why so many drivers try to avoid them unless they're really in dire straits.

In case you're planning a road trip over this bank holiday weekend, keep an eye on the traffic, though. Inrix, which uses AI for traffic predictions, suggests you should hit the road before 10am on weekends to avoid the worst of the traffic. Those embarking on trips on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday should leave either before 11am or after 3pm to avoid the chaos on the roads.

And remember, use fuel price comparison tools like PetrolPrices.com to find the cheapest fuel options close to your destination, especially if it involves motorway service stations. Why pay more when you can save several pounds by simply driving a few extra miles to refuel? Happy travels, and enjoy the savings!

Enrichment Data:

Motorway service stations often charge more for fuel — up to £16 on average — compared to nearby supermarket or local fuel retailers during bank holidays due to lower competition, location, and typically higher costs[1]. On the other hand, supermarket forecourts or local fuel retailers tend to offer cheaper fuel prices[1]. Keep in mind that prices may rise slightly because of increased demand during holidays[1], but comparison tools like PetrolPrices.com or Confused.com can help identify the cheapest options in your area[2][3].

Motorists could save almost 4p per litre on petrol and diesel by refueling at supermarkets or local retailers instead of motorway service stations, as prices at the latter are often inflated.
Research shows that three-quarters of drivers find the price of fuel at motorway service stations unacceptable, demonstrating that these stations have been overcharging on petrol and diesel for many years.
To minimize traffic congestion and reduce travel stress during the bank holiday weekend, drivers should plan their trips to avoid peak hours, with Inrix suggesting departure before 10am on weekends.
Utilizing fuel price comparison tools like PetrolPrices.com can help motorists save several pounds by identifying the cheapest fuel options near their destination, even if it requires driving a few extra miles to refuel.