Drivers across Scotland are facing soaring fuel prices, with the average cost of both petrol and diesel continuing to climb. The average price of a litre of diesel has now reached a record 199.18p, according to the RAC, while unleaded petrol has risen to 174.13p per litre.
Record diesel prices and regional variations
The latest figures come as hundreds of Scottish filling stations are charging more than £2 a litre for diesel, with drivers facing huge differences in prices depending on where they fill up.
Some of the highest diesel prices have been recorded in Aberdeen and Ballater, while drivers in Scotland's islands can also face significantly higher costs than those filling up at supermarkets in the central belt.
Cost of filling an average family car
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the latest prices had entered "new uncharted territory", with the cost of filling an average family car now almost £110.
He said: "The average price of a litre of diesel has now reached the highest level in UK history at 199.18p, in what will be a financial blow to households and businesses that use their vehicles regularly."
"The cost of filling up an average family car is now almost £110, £31 more than it was at the start of the US/Iran conflict. By eclipsing the previous highest price of 199.09p seen in June 2022, the diesel price has entered new uncharted territory."
Petrol drivers are also facing higher costs, with the RAC putting the average price of unleaded at 174.13p per litre.
Simon said: "Petrol prices, too, are continuing to rise. A litre of unleaded stands at 174.13p on average, 41p more than at the start of the war – taking the cost of a full tank to nearly £96."
How the fuel price checker works
With prices varying so widely across Scotland, drivers can shop around to find the cheapest fuel near them.
To help with finding cheaper prices of petrol and diesel around Scotland, the Daily Record has created a fuel price checker, to allow motorists to quickly find the forecourts with the cheapest fuel.
Our fuel price postcode checker allows motorists to enter their postcode and choose a search radius of between one and 25 miles. The tool then shows the cheapest petrol and diesel prices available in the selected area, helping drivers find the best price before filling up. The data is regularly updated, although motorists should always check when a price was last recorded before making a journey specifically to use a particular station.
Using the checker could help drivers save money, particularly at a time when the cost of filling up has reached record levels.
RAC head of policy Simon said: "These extraordinarily high prices are another reminder of just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away from its shores." He added that only a sustained fall in oil prices would eventually bring down costs at the pumps.
For drivers looking to keep an eye on fuel prices in their area, the Daily Record's fuel price postcode checker can be used to find the cheapest filling stations nearby.
