UK petrol prices have risen to their highest level in almost four years, increasing costs for motorists ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The rise matters because millions are expected to travel by car, with the RAC forecasting exceptionally heavy traffic on major roads and motorways.

The AA said average petrol prices reached 161.6p per litre and diesel 183.4p, levels last seen in November 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Higher wholesale oil costs, linked to the US war with Iran, have contributed, although the competition regulator has also criticised retailers for being slow to cut pump prices when costs fall; it has issued more than 1,000 warnings over missing Fuel Finder price data.