The cheapest fuel is not always the best stop
A low pump price is only useful when the station fits your journey. Check the roads needed to reach it: a slow loop, difficult junction or several extra miles can wipe out a small price saving.
The better question is: which fuel stop still saves money on the journey you are already making?
What to compare before turning off
- Pump price: the latest UK fuel price for your fuel type.
- Extra distance: whether the station is on the route, near the route or in the wrong direction.
- Estimated detour fuel cost: the cost of the extra driving needed to reach the stop.
- Fuel economy: a thirsty car can wipe out a small price difference faster than an efficient one.
- Opening times and facilities: toilets, shop, air, water, opening times and motorway access can matter on longer trips.
Why Google Maps directions matter
A fuel price result only becomes useful when it is easy to act on. Route & Fuel is designed to help drivers pick the station that makes sense, then open the selected stop in Google Maps when it has a suitable station location.
Measure the extra drive on roads
A station can look close to your route but require another junction, a one-way loop or a bridge to reach it. Smart Savings uses road-route estimates where available and labels fast estimates separately. Compare the main journey with the journey via the fuel stop: the difference is the extra driving, not the straight-line distance from the map pin to the road.
One detour, three different fill amounts
This illustrative example compares 156.9p/litre with 148.9p/litre. The cheaper stop adds four miles to the journey. At 45 UK MPG, those miles use about 0.40 litres, costing £0.60 at the cheaper station price.
| Fuel bought | Pump saving | Saving after extra fuel |
|---|---|---|
| 15 litres | £1.20 | £0.60 |
| 35 litres | £2.80 | £2.20 |
| 55 litres | £4.40 | £3.80 |
Calculation: extra fuel cost = 4 ÷ 45 × 4.54609 × £1.489. Subtract that cost from £0.08 × litres bought. These are example prices, not a measured saving for a real route. Compare your own route and fill amount.
Try a real journey in the free fuel route planner. Compare listed station prices using your MPG, fill amount and extra road miles. Keep any value you assign to time separate.
Where live traffic fits
Live traffic checks add traffic-aware journey and detour times, within your plan allowance. Fuel-only savings and any optional value assigned to your time should remain separate so you can see what changed the estimate. Live traffic needs an internet connection.
Keep the journey useful when signal drops
Plan while connected. The app retains saved journeys and previously loaded station information for offline access, with the original price times. Refreshing prices, checking live traffic and calculating a new route require a connection.