Motorway fuel is convenient, but convenience has a price
Motorway service stations can be the right choice on a long journey because they are easy to access, open for longer hours and often have toilets, food and other facilities. But the best decision is not always the lowest station price nearby.
Check that you can reach the alternative from your carriageway and rejoin in the direction you need. A nearby map pin may involve another junction, a one-way system or a retail-park loop. Include those roads in the detour, not just the distance from the motorway.
What the official comparison measures
Our 4 September 2026 motorway fuel-price study compares eligible motorway and non-motorway prices, with sample counts and downloadable methods. Use current local prices and check road access for your own journey.
The CMA’s August 2026 report separates motorway, supermarket and other retailers. Its price charts cover mid-March to 14 July 2026 and carry forward the last reported price when a day is missing. They describe that period; use current motorway fuel comparisons for a new journey.
What to check before choosing an off-motorway stop
- Difference in price: how many pence per litre you save.
- Fill amount: a large fill makes a price difference more valuable.
- Extra fuel: the extra miles to reach the station and return to the route.
- Time and traffic: a cheap station through a busy retail park may not be worth it.
- Facilities: toilets, shop, food, air and opening times can make the same stop more useful.
An illustrative motorway-versus-local comparison
Suppose motorway petrol costs 159.9p per litre and a station off the motorway costs 149.9p. On a 55-litre fill, the price difference is £5.50. If leaving and rejoining adds six miles, a car returning 40 UK MPG uses about 0.68 extra litres. At 149.9p per litre, that costs about £1.02, leaving an estimated fuel saving of £4.48 before time or other costs.
Illustrative figures, not observed prices for a real route. Calculation: 6 ÷ 40 × 4.54609 × £1.499. For a 15-litre top-up at the same prices, only about 48p remains after that detour. Never stretch your remaining fuel to reach a cheaper station.
How Route & Fuel compares motorway and nearby stations
Compare the motorway stop with alternatives that fit your actual route. Check the fuel grade, opening hours, facilities, extra road distance and estimated fuel saving. Where live traffic is available, consider the estimated delay separately from the fuel-only calculation.