UK motorists can now check near-real-time petrol and diesel prices directly through Google Maps, giving drivers an easier way to compare fuel costs before choosing where to fill up.
The new feature, launched on Thursday, uses pricing information from the UK government’s Fuel Finder service. The system now covers about 99% of fuel sold on UK roads, allowing motorists to search for nearby filling stations and compare their latest pump prices.
The launch comes as fuel prices remain unusually high. Diesel recently crossed £2 a litre, while average petrol prices have risen to almost £1.75 a litre. The increase has added pressure to household and business budgets, particularly for motorists who depend heavily on their vehicles.
The government estimates that drivers who compare prices and switch to cheaper forecourts could save an average of about £40 a year. Petrol stations are required to update their prices within 30 minutes of a change under the Fuel Finder system.
The wider aim is to improve transparency and strengthen competition between fuel retailers. The Competition and Markets Authority has previously raised concerns about pricing practices in the sector, including delays in passing lower wholesale costs on to motorists.
The feature is also being made available through Waze, while several motoring and fuel-price apps already provide similar information. For motorists facing higher fuel bills, wider access to live pricing could make it easier to identify cheaper options before making a journey.
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