Cambridge has the most expensive petrol and diesel prices in the UK

Cambridge has the most expensive petrol and diesel prices in the UK. Whereas Belfast is the best city in the UK for filling your tank, whether with petrol or diesel, according to a new study.  

Belfast is the best city in the UK for filling your tank, whether with petrol or diesel, according to a new study.

David Holmes, CEO at WhatPrice.co.uk, said: “Our research shows that, although fuel prices vary significantly across regions, all four countries in the UK have at least one city or town among those with the cheapest petrol and diesel prices.

“While some places, such as Cambridge, may rank as the most expensive, this does not mean affordable fuel is unavailable there—you might simply need to search more thoroughly. In this sense, comparison tools can help drivers find the best prices in their area, saving some money during times of economic uncertainty.”

The research, carried out by experts at price comparison site WhatPrice.co.uk, compared median prices for petrol and diesel across the UK’s cities and towns to determine those with the most affordable fuel prices.

Best cities and towns for petrol drivers

According to the findings, Belfast is the most affordable city for petrol users, with a median price of £1.32 per litre. This means filling a 50-litre tank costs only £66. Considering the UK’s average price is £1.37 per litre (£68.50 per 50 litres), drivers in Northern Ireland’s capital can save up to £2.50 every time they fill their tank.

Dundee, in Scotland, comes next, as the median price per litre is £1.34—meaning £67 for a 50-litre tank. Since the national average expenditure for a full tank is £68.50, drivers in Dundee can save up to £1.50 when filling their tanks.

Burnley, Blackburn, Bradford, Preston, Huddersfield, Leeds, and Swansea are next, with the median petrol price at £1.35 per litre. This means a 50-litre tank costs £67.50, up to £1 cheaper than the national average of £68.50 per full tank.

UK cities and towns with the cheapest petrol prices:

On the other hand, Cambridge, Crawley, Poole and Bournemouth, all in England, are the spots with the most expensive petrol. The median price for a litre is £1.40, and drivers pay £70 every time they fill their tanks, £1.50 higher than the national average of £68.50.

London, Slough, Woking, Watford, Southampton, Swindon, Bedford, Northampton, Oxford, Portsmouth, and Plymouth, all in England, are next, with petrol costing £1.39 per litre. This means that filling a 50-litre tank in these places costs £69.50, £1 more than the national average of £68.50.

UK cities and towns with the most expensive petrol prices:

*Includes Islington, Croydon, Bexley, Sutton, Dagenham, Archway, Enfield Town, Becontree, and City of Westminster, all with petrol price at £1.39

Best cities and towns for diesel drivers

Similarly, the study identified the top cities and towns where diesel drivers can benefit from the lowest prices. Belfast again takes the lead, with a median price of £1.35 per litre—which means £67.50 for filling a 50-litre tank.

Considering the average diesel price in the UK is £1.44 per litre (£72 per 50 litres), drivers in Northern Ireland’s capital who use diesel can save up to £4.50 every time they fill their tank.

Swansea comes next, with the median diesel price at £1.41 per litre. This means a 50-litre tank in the city costs £70.50, up to £1.50 less than the national average of £72 per 50 litres.

Burnley, Wigan, Bolton, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackburn, Bradford, Hastings, Preston, Ipswich, Huddersfield, and Dundee are next, with the median diesel price at £1.42 per litre. This means a 50-litre tank costs £71, up to £1 cheaper than the national average of £72 per 50 litres.

UK cities and towns with the cheapest diesel prices:

On the other hand, Cambridge takes the lead again, now as the most expensive place for filling your tank with diesel in the UK, with the price at £1.47 per litre. A 50-litre tank in the city costs £73.50, £1.50 more than the national average of £72.

Crawley, London, Slough, Woking, Brighton, Gillingham, and Maidstone, all in England, are next, with diesel costing £1.46 per litre. This means that filling a 50-litre tank in these places costs £73, £1 more than the national average of £72.

UK cities and towns with the most expensive diesel prices:

*Includes Islington, Croydon, Bexley, Sutton, Dagenham, Archway, Enfield Town, Becontree, and City of Westminster, all with petrol price at £1.39

Methodology

The study analysed median petrol and diesel prices in the UK’s most populous cities. A seed list of cities was taken from World Population Review. Fuel price data was collected from WhatPrice.co.uk on 15 January 2025.

Sources

City seed list: World Population Review
Fuel prices WhatPrice.co.uk

Full list of UK cities with petrol prices below the national average (£1.37):

Full list of UK cities with diesel prices below the national average (£1.44):