Is there a best time of day or week to buy petrol?

It's a common question: is there a best time to buy petrol in the UK? Some drivers swear by filling up on Mondays, others say early morning is cheapest. Let's look at what the data actually shows.

Do prices change during the day?

UK fuel stations can change their prices at any time, but most update once or twice a day — typically in the morning. The government's Fuel Finder scheme collects prices daily, and PumpSaver refreshes data twice a day. In practice, the price you see in the morning is usually the price you'll pay all day at that station.

Is there a cheaper day of the week?

Research from the RAC and other motoring organisations suggests that prices can be marginally lower early in the week (Monday to Wednesday) and slightly higher towards the weekend when demand increases. However, the difference is typically only 0.5-1p per litre — far less than the 5-10p variation between nearby stations.

What actually makes the biggest difference

The timing of your fill-up matters far less than where you fill up. The factors that save you real money are:

• Station choice — the cheapest station nearby can be 5-10p cheaper than the most expensive. This dwarfs any day-of-week effect.
• Supermarket vs branded — consistently 3-4p cheaper at supermarkets.
• Avoiding motorway services — 15-20p premium avoided.
• Filling up before your tank is empty — desperation leads to bad choices. Don't let your tank drop below a quarter.

The real answer

Don't worry about timing — worry about location. Use PumpSaver to check prices before you fill up, and choose the cheapest station that's convenient for your journey. That simple habit will save you far more than any day-of-week strategy.