Fuel Cost Calculator UK
UK petrol & diesel prices, journey costs, and driving tips — updated May 2026
Working out how much a car journey costs in the UK involves more than just distance. Your vehicle's fuel economy (MPG), the current price of petrol or diesel, your driving speed, and the types of roads you're on all affect the final figure. Fuel Smarter calculates all of this automatically — giving you an accurate cost for your specific car and route.
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Current UK fuel prices — May 2026
Unleaded petrol (E10)
156.8p
per litre · UK average
▼ −0.17p vs last week
Diesel (B7)
188.8p
per litre · UK average
▼ −1.02p vs last week
Why are prices high in May 2026? UK fuel prices spiked sharply in March 2026 following conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Prices have eased since but remain above early 2026 levels. Supermarkets currently offer petrol around 5p per litre cheaper than branded forecourts.
How much does a typical UK journey cost?
Based on the UK average petrol price of 156.8p/litre and a typical family car achieving 40 MPG in real-world driving:
| Journey |
Distance |
Petrol cost |
Diesel cost |
| London to Manchester | 209 miles | ~£18.60 | ~£25.80 |
| London to Edinburgh | 414 miles | ~£36.80 | ~£51.10 |
| Birmingham to Bristol | 87 miles | ~£7.75 | ~£10.75 |
| Manchester to Leeds | 44 miles | ~£3.90 | ~£5.45 |
| London to Brighton | 53 miles | ~£4.70 | ~£6.55 |
| Glasgow to Edinburgh | 47 miles | ~£4.20 | ~£5.80 |
| London to Cardiff | 155 miles | ~£13.80 | ~£19.10 |
| Bristol to Exeter | 75 miles | ~£6.65 | ~£9.25 |
Figures based on 40 MPG petrol, 30 MPG diesel, at current UK average pump prices. Use our calculator for your specific vehicle.
UK speed limits and fuel costs
UK national speed limits are 60 mph on A-roads and 70 mph on motorways. Driving above these limits doesn't just risk a fine — it significantly increases your fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
On a typical 200-mile motorway journey:
Driving at 80 mph instead of 70 mph costs around £2-3 more in fuel and produces roughly 4 kg more CO2 — but only saves around 14 minutes. For most drivers, that's not a trade-off worth making.
Driving at 60 mph saves around £1-2 compared to 70 mph, but adds around 17 minutes. Good for long journeys where time isn't critical.
How to calculate your exact fuel cost
For an accurate figure, you need to know three things: your journey distance, your car's real-world MPG, and the current fuel price. Our calculator handles all of this automatically:
1. Enter your start and end point
We use Google Maps to calculate the real driving distance and automatically split it by road type — urban, A-road, and motorway — since each affects fuel consumption differently.
2. Enter your vehicle
Enter your number plate and we'll estimate your car's real-world MPG automatically. Or search by make and model, or enter your MPG manually if you know it.
3. Set your speed
Use the sliders to set your typical A-road and motorway speed. We apply an efficiency adjustment based on speed — so driving at 80mph correctly shows higher fuel use than 70mph.
4. See your results
You'll get your journey cost, CO2 emissions, and a three-way speed comparison showing what you'd save at the speed limit and 10mph below it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive per mile in the UK?
At current petrol prices (156.8p/litre) and an average of 40 MPG, fuel costs approximately 8.9p per mile. For diesel (188.8p/litre) at 45 MPG, it's around 9.5p per mile. These figures exclude insurance, tax, and maintenance.
Is it cheaper to drive or take the train?
For solo travel, driving is often cheaper than the train, especially with advance booking. With passengers, driving becomes significantly cheaper per person. For journeys into central London, the train is usually more cost-effective when you factor in parking.
Why is diesel so much more expensive than petrol in the UK?
Diesel is currently around 32p per litre more expensive than petrol — one of the largest gaps in Europe. The CMA has found evidence of "rocket and feather" pricing in diesel, where prices rise quickly but fall slowly. The government's Fuel Finder scheme is designed to improve transparency.
What is the most fuel-efficient speed to drive at in the UK?
Most petrol cars achieve their best fuel economy between 45-60 mph. At 70 mph efficiency drops around 5%, and at 80 mph it drops around 13% compared to 60 mph. The exact figures vary by vehicle — newer, more aerodynamic cars handle higher speeds more efficiently.
How do I find the cheapest petrol near me?
The UK Government's Fuel Finder scheme (mandatory since February 2026) requires all forecourts to report prices within 30 minutes of any change. Apps like Fuel Finder UK and PetrolPrices use this data to show live prices near you. Supermarkets typically offer the best prices — around 5p per litre cheaper than branded forecourts on average.
How much is fuel duty in the UK?
Fuel duty is currently 52.95p per litre for both petrol and diesel. It was cut by 5p per litre in March 2022 in response to rising prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and has been frozen since. VAT at 20% is also charged on the full pump price including the duty.
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