Drivers are being advised against engaging in panic buying as queues start forming at certain fuel stations. Some motorists are preemptively filling up their tanks due to concerns stemming from a rise in oil prices triggered by the escalating unrest in the Middle East. There are apprehensions that the conflict involving Iran could disrupt the transportation of oil and gas through the critical Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian official has issued threats against any attempts to navigate through the strait, amid ongoing tensions with the US and Israel. Brent crude oil prices surged to $82 per barrel in early trading on Tuesday, leading to speculations that petrol prices could see an increase if the trend persists.
Reports indicate that select garages have run out of fuel, with uncertainty prevailing over whether this is due to heightened demand or unrelated supply issues. Instances of stations displaying “sorry out of use” signs have been observed, such as at a forecourt in Croydon and long queues at a Costco station in Liverpool.
Luke Bosdet from the AA advises drivers not to alter their refueling habits, emphasizing that it takes time for price hikes to impact pump costs and noting the impending decrease in fuel consumption with the arrival of spring. Despite petrol prices dropping by nearly 4p per liter since the beginning of 2026, concerns arise that continued military actions against Iran could reverse this decline.
While efforts have been made by the government to regulate petrol retailers’ profit margins, significant price variations persist across the country. The national average petrol price is 131.5p per liter, yet in Maidstone, Kent, motorists are facing an average of 137.9p per liter, translating to an extra £3.52 to fill a standard family car.
Northern Ireland experiences notably lower prices, with Lisburn and Castlereagh drivers paying over 10p less per liter than the national average. The most economical spot in England for petrol is a Sainsbury’s station in County Durham, offering fuel at 122.9p per liter.
Conversely, the priciest UK station is an Asda outlet in South Lanarkshire, charging 163.9p for petrol, requiring £90 to fill an average family car. The most budget-friendly diesel option is at an Asda station in North East Lincolnshire, selling standard diesel at 129.7p per liter.
The ongoing conflict has led to a surge in global oil and gas shipping rates, particularly in the Middle East, with supertanker expenses hitting record highs. Shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz have significantly slowed down following retaliatory actions by Iran against US and Israeli strikes.
AA president Edmund King anticipates a further rise in pump prices due to continued oil distribution disruptions and issues in the Strait of Hormuz. He projects that petrol prices may revert to the levels seen at the beginning of the year in the coming weeks.