August is the UK's biggest driving month — school holidays, coastal traffic and road trips — and it arrives with fuel prices in their best shape since early spring.
Quick answer: August 2026 opens with petrol around the low 150s p/litre and diesel in the mid 160s, after July's steady falls (June averaged ~157p/176p; the spring peak was ~163p/188p). Prices move daily — see today's live UK averages for the exact numbers right now, and the map for the cheapest forecourt near you.
Where August started (real tracked data)
Monthly averages from live forecourt prices tracked by Fuel Near You:
| Month (2026) | Petrol (E10) avg | Diesel (B7) avg |
|---|---|---|
| April | 160p | 189p |
| May | 163p | 187p |
| June | 157p | 176p |
| July | ~151p | ~165p |
| August | live — see today's average | live |
The story of the summer has been the unwinding of the spring spike — diesel especially, down over 20p from its May peak. August's question is whether holiday demand stalls that slide.
What moves prices in August
- Holiday demand. The busiest driving weeks of the year firm up demand. Historically this adds a penny or two at most, because…
- …competition is fiercest on holiday routes. Forecourts on A-roads to the coast know price boards win customers in August.
- Wholesale oil, as always. Pump prices track wholesale with a one-to-two-week lag; a quiet oil market means a quiet August at the pumps.
- Supermarket positioning. The big four use August fuel promotions ("10p off with £40 spend") to pull holiday shoppers — watch for them.
August road-trip rules
- Fill cheap before you leave. Your local supermarket forecourt beats anything you'll find en route — today's cheapest near you.
- Never rely on motorway services — typically 15–30p/litre over local prices. The journey cost calculator shows cheaper stops just off your route.
- Heading to Cornwall, the Highlands or rural Wales? Fill in the last big town; remote forecourts run 10–20p dearer.
- Track the trip cost. Log fills in the free Garage to see what the holiday actually cost per mile.
Check the live picture
- UK fuel prices today — live national averages, updated every 15 minutes
- Live map — every forecourt near you, cheapest first
- Prices by city — the cheapest stations in 190+ UK towns
- July's full report — how we got here
Monthly figures are averages of live forecourt prices tracked under the UK Government Fuel Finder scheme, rounded to the nearest penny. For today's exact averages, always use the live pages above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average petrol price in the UK in August 2026?
August opened with petrol (E10) around the low-150s pence per litre, following July's falls from the spring peak. The average moves daily — check Fuel Near You's live UK averages page for today's exact figure from thousands of forecourt readings.
What is the average diesel price in the UK in August 2026?
Diesel (B7) entered August around the mid-160s pence per litre, down more than 20p from its April–May peak of ~187–189p. See the live dashboard for today's precise average.
Will fuel prices rise over the August holidays?
Holiday demand firms prices up, but forecourt competition on busy routes usually limits the effect to a penny or two. The bigger factor remains wholesale oil costs — pump prices follow wholesale moves with a one-to-two-week lag.
Where is fuel cheapest in August 2026?
As all summer: supermarket forecourts (typically 3–6p below average), Costco for members, and Northern Ireland as the cheapest region. Within any town the cheapest-to-dearest spread is often 10–15p a litre, so compare live prices before filling up.
Should I fill up before a summer road trip?
Yes — fill up at a cheap local forecourt before setting off and avoid motorway services, which typically charge 15–30p a litre more. Use a journey planner that shows fuel prices along your route.