Petrol prices are now 10p higher than before the war with Iran escalated, and diesel costs have soared by 20p a litre, according to new figures.
The RAC said prices at the pump were “really starting to hurt drivers” as they continue to rise amid the conflict in the Middle East.
The average price of unleaded petrol at UK service stations was 142.3 paliter on Tuesday, an increase of 7.1% since February 28.
Average diesel prices had risen almost 14% over the roughly two-week period to 162.1 pence per litre.
RAC policy chief Simon Williams said: “Petrol has now risen by 10p a liter since the start of the conflict in Iran and diesel by double that.
“This is really starting to hurt high-mileage drivers, and especially those with diesel vehicles.
“At 162p a litre, they are now paying £11 more than they were at the end of February at £89 a tank.
“If oil remains around $100 a barrel, the price of gasoline should not exceed 148 pence a liter.
“The outlook for diesel is worse as it appears to be on a fast track towards an average price of 170p.”
Williams said it was “more important than ever” to compare prices at different gas stations when people fill up their cars.
Oil prices, which have a significant effect on the cost of wholesale fuel, have been hovering around $100 a barrel in recent days, surpassing the mark for the first time since 2022 last week.
Disruption of supply of the product due to Iran's dominance of oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key international shipping route, has sent prices soaring.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week told petrol retailers they had a “shared obligation” to keep prices low for motorists.
And Energy Minister Michael Shanks said on Tuesday that the Government “stands ready to provide any necessary support to consumers” regarding energy bills, but said there were “no concerns about fuel supply”.
