In the week of 2 November 2026, UK petrol averaged 172.78p a litre and diesel 198.58p, according to government figures published on 3 November. A year earlier, petrol was 134.38p and diesel 142.61p. That makes a 55-litre tank of petrol about £21 dearer and a tank of diesel about £31 dearer. Prices dipped slightly in October, but with Brent crude above $100 a barrel, three typical drivers face £209 to £551 more at the pump over a year. Here's how it works out and what to do now.
The latest numbers
The government's weekly road fuel price statistics1 show prices peaked in the week of 12 October 2026, at 175.28p for petrol and 200.04p for diesel. Since then they've eased slightly, by 2.5p for petrol and 1.46p for diesel. The AA's October report, published on 4 November, gives a similar picture: petrol down from 174.7p to 172p and diesel from 199.9p to 198.5p. AA fuel expert Luke Bosdet warned about the persistence of the Middle East turmoil going into winter.2
The main driver is oil. On the morning of 4 November, Brent crude was $105.84 a barrel, $41 higher than a year earlier.3
| Petrol | Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| w/c 3 Nov 2025 | 134.38p | 142.61p |
| Peak, w/c 12 Oct 2026 | 175.28p | 200.04p |
| w/c 2 Nov 2026 | 172.78p | 198.58p |
| Change in a year | +38.40p (+28.6%) | +55.97p (+39.2%) |
| 55-litre tank now | £95.03 | £109.22 |
| Extra per tank vs a year ago | +£21.12 | +£30.78 |
Source: DESNZ weekly road fuel prices.1 Tank costs are our own calculation.
Why diesel drivers are hit harder
A year ago, diesel cost 8.23p a litre more than petrol. This week the gap is 25.80p. Diesel has risen 55.97p a litre over the year, compared with 38.40p for petrol. That matters for families who chose diesel for long motorway miles, for many people who drive for work, and for anyone with a van. It also feeds through to prices in the shops, because goods are moved by diesel lorries.
If you're unsure which group you fall into, check your last three fuel receipts. Divide the total spend by the litres to get your own price per litre, then compare it with the national averages above. Many rural drivers pay above the average.
Three drivers, one year at the pump
These are illustrative examples using typical mileage and fuel economy (1 gallon = 4.546 litres). They assume prices stay at this week's level for 12 months. They might not.
| Driver | Litres a year | Year at last year's price | Year at today's price | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anna, 62, small petrol hatchback, 6,000 miles, 50 mpg | 546 | £733 | £943 |
+£209 £17/month |
| Priya, 41, diesel estate for the school run and work, 10,000 miles, 50 mpg | 909 | £1,297 | £1,806 |
+£509 £42/month |
| Claire, 33, petrol SUV, long rural commute, 12,000 miles, 38 mpg | 1,436 | £1,929 | £2,480 |
+£551 £46/month |
£42 to £46 a month is about the price of a weekly takeaway. The petrol station is quietly taking it unless you take it back somewhere else.
Find the £45 a month
You can't decide the oil price. But you can decide where the extra £17 to £46 a month comes from, so it doesn't end up on a credit card in January.
30-Day No-Spend Challenge & Budget Tracker
- A 30-day tracker to spot the small, frequent spends that add up to more than your fuel rise.
- Simple rules for which spending is "essential" (fuel to get to work) and which is "pause for 30 days".
- A budget page to move the money you free up into the fuel line, or into a buffer before Christmas.
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Where your £1.73 a litre goes
Fuel duty is 52.95p a litre, and VAT at 20% is added on top, including on the duty itself.1 At 172.78p, VAT is about 28.80p, so tax makes up about 81.75p, or 47% of the petrol price. For diesel at 198.58p, tax is about 86.05p, or 43%.
At the 28 October Budget, the government extended the 5p fuel duty cut until 1 July 2027. It had been due to end on 31 December 2026.4 Including VAT, that cut is worth about 6p a litre, or £3.30 a tank. Over a year, it saves Anna about £33, Priya £55 and Claire £86, compared with duty going back up.
The dates to put in your diary
- Every week: the government publishes new pump prices (the latest came out on Tuesday 3 November), so you can track whether the October easing continues.
- 1 July 2027: the extended 5p duty cut is now due to end. Budget for about 6p a litre more from then, unless policy changes again.
- April 2028: the planned eVED pay-per-mile charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars begins, according to the Budget documents reported by What Car?.4 If you're thinking about switching to an electric car to escape pump prices, factor this in.
6 ways to cut your pump bill this winter
- Compare prices before you fill up. Supermarket forecourts are often cheaper than motorway services.
- Check your tyre pressure once a month. Under-inflated tyres use more fuel.
- Drive smoothly. Gentle acceleration, early braking and sticking to the speed limit can make a noticeable difference to fuel economy.
- Take out the roof box and the boot clutter, because extra weight and drag cost fuel.
- Combine trips. Do one loop instead of three separate drives.
- Put a fuel line in your budget and set it at today's price, not last year's.
If fuel and other bills are pushing you behind, MoneyHelper5 and Citizens Advice offer free, impartial help. Fuel is one of the main reasons inflation is rising, so it is also worth seeing what UK inflation heading towards 5% means for three households before the October figures land on 18 November.
More on UK household costs: what Budget 2026 means for you, the January 2027 energy price cap forecast, the £1,050 living standards squeeze and Christmas on a credit card.
FAQ
What is the average petrol price in the UK in November 2026?
172.78p a litre for petrol and 198.58p for diesel in the week of 2 November 2026 (DESNZ).
Are petrol prices going down?
Slightly. They're down about 2.5p since the 12 October peak, but still about 38p a litre higher than a year ago. The direction depends mainly on oil prices.
Will fuel duty go up in January 2027?
No. The Budget on 28 October 2026 extended the 5p cut, keeping duty at 52.95p, until 1 July 2027.
If news from the Middle East is making you anxious, it can help to step back from the headlines and talk to someone you trust. This article is general information, not advice for your situation.
Sources
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Weekly road fuel prices (published 3 November 2026).
- AA October 2026 fuel price figures, reported by Bodyshop Magazine (4 November 2026).
- Fortune, Current price of oil, 4 November 2026.
- What Car?, Autumn Budget 2026: fuel tax discount remains (28 October 2026).
- MoneyHelper, free money guidance.
If money worries are keeping you up at night, start with the free 7-Day Money Anxiety Reset journal.
Educational content only. Not personalised financial advice.