You pull up to a Shell or a BP outside of London, look at the glowing LED board, and see "135.2." If you're visiting from the States, your first instinct is to think, "Wow, that's cheap!" Then you realize that isn't for a gallon. It’s for a single litre.
Honestly, the sticker shock for fuel in the United Kingdom is a rite of passage. But as of January 2026, the story isn't just about high prices—it’s about a weirdly stagnant market that has left motorists feeling a bit cheated.
The Current Cost: How Much is Gasoline in UK Right Now?
Right now, if you're looking for how much is gasoline in UK, you’re looking at an average of 135.2p per litre for unleaded petrol. Diesel is sitting higher, usually around 144.1p per litre.
For the Americans in the room, let's do the math. There are about 3.78 litres in a US gallon. At current exchange rates, you’re paying roughly $6.50 to $7.00 per gallon. It’s enough to make a lifted-truck owner in Texas weep.
But here is the kicker: oil prices actually plummeted recently. Brent Crude dipped below $60 a barrel in late 2025, which should have triggered a massive drop at the pumps. Instead, prices only nudged down by about 2p. The RAC—one of the UK's big motoring advocacy groups—has been pretty vocal about this. They basically called out retailers for "persistently high" margins.
🔗 Read more: Ryan Dubs Net Worth: Why the TikTok Branding Guru Is Richer Than You Think
Regional Winners and Losers
Don't expect the same price everywhere. It's a postcode lottery.
- Northern Ireland: Usually the cheapest place to fill up. You might find petrol for 127p here.
- Motorway Service Stations: Avoid these like the plague. They’ll easily slap an extra 20p or 30p on the litre just because you're a "captive audience."
- Supermarkets: Asda, Tesco, and Morrisons used to be the guaranteed cheapest. Nowadays, they’re still lower (averaging 132p for petrol), but some independent stations are actually beating them in local price wars.
Why is it So Expensive? The Tax Factor
The UK government loves fuel duty. Or rather, they love the £24 billion it brings in every year.
Currently, the fuel duty is 52.95p per litre. This rate includes a 5p "temporary" cut that has been hanging around since the 2022 energy crisis. The big news for 2026 is that this cut is finally on the chopping block.
Under the latest budget plans, the government intends to phase this out. We’re looking at a 1p increase in September 2026, then 2p in December, and another 2p in March 2027. So, while prices feel "okay" right now, they have a built-in trajectory to go up regardless of what the oil market does.
And don't forget VAT. After the fuel duty is added, the government slaps another 20% tax on the total price. You’re essentially paying a tax on a tax. It’s a massive earner for the Treasury, but a massive headache for anyone driving a Transit van for a living.
The "Fuel Finder" Revolution
If you’re tired of guessing which station is ripping you off, there is actually some good news. The UK is launching a mandatory Fuel Finder scheme in early 2026.
For years, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has complained that fuel pricing is opaque. Retailers weren't required to share live data, so you had to drive around to find the best deal. Now, brands like Shell, BP, and the big supermarkets have to pump their live pricing data into a central system.
This means your Google Maps or specialized apps like PetrolPrices will finally show 100% accurate, real-time costs. The hope is that by making the high-priced stations "visible," they’ll be forced to compete or lose customers.
Common Misconceptions About UK Fuel
People often get confused about the types of fuel available. In the UK, you won't see "Regular" or "Premium" in the same way you do elsewhere.
- E10 Unleaded: This is the standard stuff. It’s 10% ethanol. Most cars made after 2011 run on it fine, but it can be a bit rough on vintage engines.
- E5 Super Unleaded: This is the "high octane" version (usually 97 or 99 octane). It costs significantly more—often 150p+ per litre.
- Diesel: It’s almost always more expensive than petrol in the UK, which is the opposite of many European countries.
Is it cheaper to go Electric?
Sorta. While petrol prices are stable-ish, electricity costs in the UK have been volatile. If you can charge at home on an overnight tariff, you’re laughing. If you’re relying on public rapid chargers, the "cost per mile" can actually end up being more expensive than a modern diesel engine.
How to Save Money at the Pump in 2026
Since you can't control the global oil market or the Chancellor's budget, you have to play the game smarter.
Watch the Supermarket Vouchers. Tesco and Sainsbury’s occasionally offer "5p off per litre" if you spend a certain amount on groceries. If you're doing a big shop anyway, these are gold.
👉 See also: Applying for an EIN Online: Why Most People Mess Up the Easiest Business Task
Use the Apps. Don't just pull into the first station you see. Using the myRAC or PetrolPrices app can save you £3 to £5 on a full tank just by driving half a mile down the road.
Mind Your Speed. It sounds like something your dad would say, but dropping from 80mph to 70mph on the M1 can improve your fuel economy by up to 25%. In 2026, that's the difference between a "cheap" trip and a "pricey" one.
The Verdict for 2026
The answer to how much is gasoline in UK is that it's currently in a "fake stable" phase. The prices at 135.2p (petrol) and 144.1p (diesel) are lower than the record peaks of 2022, but they are artificially held down by a fuel duty cut that is about to expire.
If you are planning a road trip or managing a fleet, enjoy the current rates. By the time winter 2026 rolls around, those 5p increases will start hitting the LED boards, and the era of "sub-140p" fuel might be a distant memory.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you download a live fuel tracking app before your next fill-up. Check the prices in the next town over rather than the one you're currently in—the price gap is often wider than you'd think. Monitor the 5p duty hike schedule starting in September 2026 to time your larger fuel purchases or budget adjustments accordingly.