Cheapest can change once the detour is counted
Compare the price difference with the extra fuel used to reach the stop. A smaller top-up can turn a worthwhile diversion into a more expensive fill.
Compare fuel prices and the saving after your detour.
1Gross price saving
Compare the station price with your entered reference price, or the highest eligible price in the route search if you leave it on Auto. Multiply the price difference by your fill litres.
2Detour fuel used
Use UK MPG and the extra distance to calculate detour fuel. This planner checks road detours for the three initially strongest candidates and labels other distance estimates.
3Saving after extra driving
Subtract detour fuel cost from the pump-price saving for your chosen fill amount. The web estimate excludes live traffic and the value of your time. App traffic features depend on your plan and allowances.
What goes into the result?
- Prices: results use the selected fuel grade's price, last changed within 28 days. Check its price-change time and confirm the pump price before filling.
- Estimated saving: the comparison uses the stated reference price, your MPG and fill amount, then subtracts detour fuel. It excludes your time, tolls and live traffic delays.
- Before you drive: some detours use distance estimates. Check the label, map endpoints and directions, and choose a stop you can reach with your remaining fuel. Full postcodes give more precise starting locations.
How savings are calculated. If a route cannot be found, try full postcodes or search near your destination. For a known mileage, use the journey cost calculator.
Our motorway price report (4 September 2026 snapshot) gives national context, not a promised saving for your journey.
Check the saving before you fill, then save the result.
Compare prices and estimated detour savings here. Save your vehicles and fill-ups in the app, with live traffic checks within your plan allowance.
Before fillingCalculated saving after the extra drive
After fillingSave litres and actual price
Over timeTrack spend, MPG and savings
See detour time with live traffic
The app adds live traffic checks. This web planner compares road distance and fuel costs; check your navigation app for current delays before setting off.
Open the stop as a route
Choose a station using its price and estimated detour saving, then open directions in Google Maps. Read how Google Maps fuel prices and Route & Fuel work together.
Use the MPG you achieve
Set your normal UK MPG and planned fill litres for a useful comparison. Allow for the fuel already in your tank when deciding which stations you can reach.
Where should I stop for petrol on my route?
Enter where you are starting and where you are going to see matching petrol or diesel stations along your route. Compare the pump price, extra driving and estimated saving for your planned fill before choosing a stop.
Compare the actual route and station list here, then open your chosen stop in Google Maps. The app keeps favourites and fill-up history for the journeys you repeat.
Plan on the website. Keep your vehicle and fill-ups in the app.
Find stations and compare estimated detour savings on the free website. The app keeps your vehicles, favourites and fill-up records together, with live traffic checks and alerts according to your plan and allowance.
A mobile app is a real advantage when signal drops.
Route & Fuel is built as a phone and tablet app, so already downloaded fuel prices and station data remain on your device on the go when mobile signal is patchy. Live route calculations and live traffic still need a connection, but your last saved price information, favourites and recent fuel details are not lost.
Offline price cachePreviously loaded station information can stay available for
quick checks.
Phone + tabletUse it on the device you actually have in the car.
FavouritesKeep useful stations close even before your next
journey.
Refresh when onlineRefresh the latest station prices when the connection
returns.
Plan common or unfamiliar journeys before you set off.
These links calculate a fresh route between postcode-area centres using E10, 45 UK MPG and a 55-litre fill. Replace the example codes with your full postcodes for a personal journey. The route chosen by the service may use different roads from the guide.
London to Birmingham
Try SW1A to B1
Start with central London and Birmingham postcode areas, then compare the current route results.
Manchester to LeedsTry M1 to LS1
Compare a journey between Manchester and Leeds postcode-area centres with the latest available station prices.
Bristol to LondonTry BS1 to SW1A
Use Bristol and central London postcode-area centres to start your price and extra-driving comparison.
Birmingham to ManchesterTry B1 to M1
Calculate between Birmingham and Manchester postcode-area centres, then adjust the grade, MPG and fill amount.
Read the journey guides: London to Birmingham, Manchester to Leeds, Bristol to London, Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds to London.
Compare fuel stops before you set off.
Enter your start, destination, fuel type and MPG in the planner above. Open advanced route options to set your fill amount and reference price. Compare the resulting station prices, road detours and calculated savings, then open directions to your stop.
Start locationDestinationFuel typeEstimated MPGFill litres
Questions drivers ask
How can I find petrol stations on my route?
Enter your start and destination to see petrol stations on your route. Compare each stop's pump price with the extra miles and fuel used, using your UK MPG and planned fill litres. Open a chosen stop in Google Maps for directions.
Is the cheapest fuel always worth the detour?
Not always. The calculated saving subtracts extra driving fuel costs from the price difference on your fill. A smaller fill, lower MPG or longer diversion can make the cheaper pump price cost more overall. Live traffic and the value of your time are not included in this web calculation.
Does Route & Fuel work for petrol and diesel?
Yes. Select E10 petrol, B7 diesel, E5 super unleaded, premium diesel, B10 or HVO. Each search compares the selected grade only; availability varies, so use a grade approved for your vehicle.
What price is my saving compared with?
Enter the price you would otherwise pay in Reference price under Advanced route options. If left on Auto, the planner uses the highest eligible price in the route search. The result states the comparison price and fill litres. Your personal saving can be smaller if you normally buy cheaper fuel.
Can I use a town or motorway name?
Supported towns and cities use a settlement centre; add a county after a comma for ambiguous names, such as Ashington, Northumberland. An outward code such as M1 uses its postcode-area centre, while a full postcode gives a more precise starting point when available. A motorway name alone is not a supported endpoint: enter a town or postcode at each end and check the route on the map.
Get Route & Fuel ready for your next fill-up.
Compare route stops and calculated savings here. Use the app for saved vehicles, live traffic checks, station history, favourites, price alerts and fill-up history.
Why checking the route beats a basic price list
See how listed station prices, current fuel level, reachable stops, extra driving, live traffic, saved MPG, directions in Google Maps and fill-up savings history work together.
How we calculate fuel savings