Common questions about fuel prices
Why do prices change so often?
Retail fuel tracks the wholesale cost of refined petrol and diesel, which in turn follows crude oil, refining margins and the exchange rate, all of which move daily. Stations also adjust to local competition, so two forecourts a kilometre apart can differ by several cents at the same moment. That is exactly why a live, station-level view beats a single national average.
Are motorway stations always more expensive?
Usually, yes. Motorway and highway service areas pay higher rents and rely on captive, in-a-hurry customers, so their margins are wider. Pulling off at a town a few minutes away often saves noticeably on a full tank, worth it on a long trip, less so for a couple of litres.
Is premium (higher-octane) fuel worth it?
For most ordinary engines, no: they are tuned for standard octane and gain nothing from premium. Some high-performance or turbocharged engines are designed for higher octane and do benefit. Check your fuel-filler flap or handbook for the minimum octane your car requires, and don't pay for more than that unless the manufacturer specifies it.
How can I actually pay less?
Fill up before you are nearly empty so you are never forced into the first expensive station you find; compare a few nearby forecourts rather than defaulting to a brand; avoid motorway pumps for big fills; keep tyres properly inflated and drive smoothly, since fuel economy is half the equation. Refuelia's map and driver reports help with the first two, finding a cheaper, open station near your route before you commit to a detour.