15 Ways to Save Money on Fuel in the UK (2026)

At the Pump

1. Compare Prices Before You Fill Up

The single most effective thing you can do is check prices before you leave the house. Prices between nearby stations can vary by 10 pence per litre or more, and on a 50-litre fill that is a fiver difference. Use our fuel price comparison tool to find the cheapest forecourt in your area — it takes 30 seconds and could save you over £100 a year.

2. Fill Up at Supermarket Forecourts

Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are consistently 5 to 10 pence per litre cheaper than Shell, BP and Esso. The fuel meets exactly the same British Standards — the only difference is the price. If you have a Costco membership, their forecourts are cheaper still, often 3 to 5 pence below supermarket prices.

3. Avoid Motorway Service Stations

Motorway fuel is routinely 15 to 25 pence per litre more expensive than off-motorway alternatives. On a long journey, plan your fuel stop in advance. Come off at a junction and drive a mile to a supermarket or town forecourt — the detour takes five minutes and saves you five pounds or more.

4. Fill Up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays

Fuel demand dips mid-week as fewer people are travelling. While the difference is not dramatic, prices at some stations tend to be a penny or two lower on Tuesdays and Wednesdays compared to Friday afternoons or weekends when demand peaks. It is a small saving, but it adds up over the course of a year.

5. Fill Your Tank Fully

Rather than putting in £20 or £30 at a time, fill the tank when you find a cheap station. This means you visit the pump less frequently and are less likely to make expensive convenience stops at pricier forecourts. The weight of a full tank does marginally increase fuel consumption, but the savings from fewer fill-ups at suboptimal prices more than compensate.

6. Use Loyalty Cards and Cashback

Most major fuel retailers offer loyalty schemes. Tesco Clubcard earns points at Tesco forecourts. Nectar points work at Sainsbury's and Esso. Shell Go+ gives you a small per-litre discount. BP's BPme app offers similar rewards. These may only save you a penny or two per litre, but over a year of regular fill-ups, the points or cashback can be worth £30 to £50.

7. Use E10 Unless Your Car Requires E5

E5 super unleaded costs 15 to 18 pence more per litre than E10 standard unleaded. If your car is compatible with E10 (most cars from 2011 onwards), there is no reason to pay the premium. The small efficiency difference (1 to 2 percent) does not come close to justifying the cost. Read our E10 vs E5 guide for details.

On the Road

8. Drive at a Steady Speed

Aggressive acceleration and heavy braking can increase fuel consumption by 15 to 30 percent in urban driving. Aim for smooth, gradual acceleration and look ahead to anticipate stops. On motorways, cruise control helps maintain a constant speed and avoids the fuel-wasting pattern of speeding up and slowing down.

9. Slow Down on the Motorway

Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed. Driving at 60 mph instead of 70 mph can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent. At 80 mph, your engine works significantly harder than at 70 mph for a relatively small time saving. On a 100-mile motorway journey, dropping from 70 to 60 mph adds about 15 minutes but saves roughly 1.5 litres of fuel — around £2 at current prices.

10. Check Your Tyre Pressure Monthly

Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and fuel consumption. Tyres that are 10 psi below the recommended pressure can increase fuel use by 2 to 3 percent. Check your pressures at least once a month (most petrol stations have free air machines) and inflate to the manufacturer's recommended level, which you will find on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or in the handbook.

11. Remove Unnecessary Weight and Drag

Roof boxes, bike racks and roof bars create aerodynamic drag that increases fuel consumption — by as much as 10 to 15 percent at motorway speeds for a large roof box. Remove them when not in use. Similarly, clear out heavy items from the boot. Every 50 kg of unnecessary weight costs you roughly 1 to 2 percent in fuel efficiency.

12. Turn Off the Air Conditioning

Air conditioning can add 5 to 10 percent to your fuel consumption, particularly at lower speeds. At motorway speeds, the impact is smaller because the alternative — opening windows — creates drag. As a rule: in town, open the windows and switch off the AC. On the motorway, close the windows and use AC if needed.

Planning and Maintenance

13. Plan Your Journeys

Combining multiple short trips into one round trip is more fuel-efficient than making several separate journeys. A cold engine uses significantly more fuel than a warm one, so making three separate 5-mile trips uses more fuel than one 15-mile trip. Use a sat nav or maps app to find the most efficient route, avoiding congestion and unnecessary miles.

14. Keep Your Car Well Maintained

A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently. Regular servicing ensures your air filter, spark plugs and engine oil are in good condition. A dirty air filter alone can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. Using the correct grade of engine oil (as specified in your handbook) also makes a measurable difference — modern low-viscosity oils reduce internal friction and improve fuel economy.

15. Consider Whether You Need to Drive

The cheapest fuel is the fuel you do not use. For short journeys — particularly under two miles — walking or cycling is free and better for you. Car-sharing for commutes halves your fuel costs immediately. Working from home one day a week saves 20 percent of your commuting fuel. Public transport may be cheaper for some journeys, especially into city centres where parking is an additional cost.

How Much Can These Tips Save You?

Used together, these strategies can realistically reduce your annual fuel bill by 20 to 30 percent. For a driver spending £1,200 a year on fuel, that is a saving of £240 to £360 — enough for a holiday weekend or a significant dent in your car insurance renewal.

The biggest single saving comes from simply comparing prices before you fill up. The second biggest comes from driving smoothly and at moderate speeds. Neither costs you anything, and both work immediately.

Quick Reference: Your Fuel-Saving Checklist

1. Compare prices before filling up
2. Use supermarket forecourts
3. Avoid motorway services
4. Fill up mid-week
5. Fill the tank fully at cheap stations
6. Use loyalty cards and cashback apps
7. Use E10 if your car is compatible
8. Accelerate smoothly and brake gently
9. Reduce motorway speed
10. Check tyre pressures monthly
11. Remove roof boxes when not in use
12. Manage air conditioning use
13. Combine trips and plan routes
14. Service your car regularly
15. Walk, cycle or share for short trips

For more background on UK fuel pricing, read our article on why fuel prices vary so much across the UK, or find the cheapest petrol stations in the UK.