Motorists across Somerset are feeling the pinch as petrol prices vary widely from town to town, with some stations charging far above the national average.

A Sainsbury's garage in Frome has been identified as the most expensive supermarket fuel outlet in the country, charging 141.2p per litre for standard petrol—nearly 14p more than a Sainsbury's station in Braintree, Essex, where prices are 126.9p per litre. This disparity equates to almost £8 more for filling an average family car at the Frome station.

Local Prices Highlight Variation

Somerset drivers are seeing significant price differences even within the county:

• Cheapest: 134.7p at Morrisons in Wells
• Close Contenders: Tesco in Shepton Mallet and Esso in Cheddar both at 134.9p
• Most Expensive: 141.2p at Sainsbury's in Frome

For those filling up in Glastonbury or Wells, prices remain higher, with some stations charging up to 136.9p per litre.

National Context Shows Larger Trends

Across the UK, supermarket fuel prices are just as inconsistent. Asda offers the cheapest petrol in 96 out of 338 local authority areas, while Morrisons, Tesco, and Sainsbury's show wide variations. For example, Morrisons stations in Hartlepool are nearly 9p per litre cheaper than those in North Wales. Similarly, Tesco customers in Northern Ireland are paying nearly 12p per litre less than those in Scotland and England.

The average supermarket petrol price nationwide stands at 133.5p, but Tesco is marginally higher at 134.5p. These variations have prompted calls for greater transparency and fairness at the pumps.

advertisement

Calls for Reform

The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has criticised high retailer margins, claiming motorists have overpaid by £1.6 billion in 2024 alone. The CMA is urging supermarkets and petrol retailers to lower prices. Meanwhile, the Labour government has introduced measures requiring retailers to update their prices within 30 minutes of any change, aiming to foster competition and reduce disparities.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "While conditions are clearly better for drivers this Christmas than previous ones, we're still conscious that prices at the pumps could be slightly cheaper if retailer margins were lower. We hope the Government's commitment at the Budget to introducing a mandatory fuel price finding scheme next year will spark competition and lead to a fairer fuel retailing landscape that delivers better value for drivers wherever they fill up."

Somerset Drivers Encouraged to Shop Around

For Somerset motorists, being savvy about where to refuel could save several pounds per tank. Apps and websites offering live price comparisons are valuable tools for finding the best deals, ensuring drivers aren't overpaying for their journeys.