Drivers can save money this Bank Holiday by avoiding Motorway Fuel Stations

Drivers can save money this Bank Holiday by avoiding Motorway Fuel Stations

– 20 million bank holiday drivers could save £24(1) by avoiding motorway fuel stations –

• The 20 million2 drivers on the roads over the bank holiday would need to divert 10 minutes3 off the motorway to make savings.
• Biggest savings to be had are on fuel (diesel, £10.25)4 (petrol, £9.35)5 and car oil (£10.25) by diverting to nearest supermarket alternative.
• Diesel is 18.7p pricier at motorway service stations, while petrol is 16.6p more expensive than supermarkets.
• Nearly half (46%) of UK drivers have avoided re-fuelling at a motorway fuel station and have driven 5 miles on average to find a cheaper alternative.
• Confused.com urges motorists to compare pumps online to find the cheapest fuel along their journey using the online fuel tool.

As 20 million2 UK drivers take to the roads for the bank holiday weekend, new research reveals those planning a motorway journey can save money with one simple trick.

A UK-wide mystery shop by Confused.com, the car savings site, reveals drivers can save a savvy £24 off the cost of their fuel and snacks basket, on average, by simply avoiding motorway service stations and driving to the nearest supermarket instead. The shoppers found that this saving could be gained with just a 10 minute drive off the motorway – equivalent to a 5.7 mile diversion, on average3.The mystery shoppers were asked to visit motorway service stations across the UK and purchase as fuel, as well as convenience items such as sandwiches, crisps, water, chocolate, confectionary and car oil. This landed them with an eye-watering bill of £103.49 or £101.95 on average, the price varying slightly depending on fuel type (diesel and petrol, respectively). They then drove to the nearest supermarket to compare prices, where the average fuel and snacks bill coming to a less-alarming £79.20 (diesel) or £78.56 (petrol).

The biggest saving to be had was on fuel, with drivers of a medium-sized diesel car expected to save £10.25 off the cost of filling up their tank by driving to the nearest supermarket. This is a considerable saving when the overall cost of filling their tank at a motorway service station is an eye-watering £72.05 compared to the supermarket price of £61.80.

Drivers of a similar sized petrol-fuelled car could also save £9.35 by diverting off the motorway, with the average cost of filling up at a motorway service station coming to £70.51 compared to £61.16 at the nearest supermarket.

In fact, diesel was a substantial 18.7p pricier at motorway service stations, while petrol is 16.6p more expensive despite a short distance between the two locations. And with the average driver filling up their tank on the motorway 11 times a year, diesel and petrol car owners could make an annual saving of £112.75 and £102.85 respectively. Bumper savings were also available on the purchase of car oil, of which there was a £10.25 difference for the price of a 1 litre can.

Given the steep difference in pricing it’s little wonder three quarters (75%) of drivers try to avoid purchasing fuel from motorway service stations. In fact, almost nine of out 10 (87%) say they avoid it because they find it too expensive and many take measures to ensure they can avoid the cost. Almost one in two (46%) have cottoned on to the diversion trick and have driven off the motorway to find cheaper fuel at another fuel station nearby, driving 5 miles on average to get a better deal. Nearly nine in 10 (86%) have also ensured they have enough fuel before heading onto the motorway.

With drivers able to make substantial savings on fuel by simply diverting 5.7miles on average to the nearest supermarket, it’s little surprise many are willing to take advantage of Confused.com’s tip and go the extra mile to get the best price. The research shows the average motorist would be willing to drive up to 6 miles to save £10 off the cost of filling their tank.

At a time when motoring costs are rising across the board, it’s little surprise many UK drivers are becoming increasingly thrifty, with the average driver saying they would be encouraged to divert off the motorway to save as little as £5.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, says: “Our mystery shopper research shows it pays for drivers to be savvy about where they purchase their fuel and other convenience items when they’re on the motorway. For the sake of a 10 minute diversion and a saving of £24 on your fuel and journey snacks, it makes sense to go the extra miles.

“Drivers who want to plan ahead for the bank holiday weekend can search for the cheapest fuel prices online using Confused.com fuel price comparison  so they know they’re getting the best deal before they head out on the road.”