Google Maps Adds Petrol and Diesel Prices as Fuel Costs Rise Across the UK

Motorists across Salisbury and Wiltshire will be able to compare petrol and diesel prices more easily after Google Maps introduced a new feature displaying fuel costs at forecourts across the UK. The update comes as drivers continue to face rising fuel prices, with diesel recently exceeding £2 per litre for the first time.

The feature, introduced on Thursday, 8 October 2026, allows users to see fuel prices when searching for petrol stations on Google Maps. Prices will appear alongside forecourt locations and within individual petrol station listings, helping drivers identify potentially cheaper places to refuel.

The information is supplied through the Government's Fuel Finder scheme, which was introduced to improve transparency across the fuel retail market. Under the scheme, petrol stations in the UK are legally required to submit price changes within 30 minutes of changing their prices.

For motorists in Salisbury, Amesbury and the surrounding Wiltshire villages, the new feature could make it easier to compare the cost of filling up before setting off on a journey. Drivers travelling regularly for work, school runs or longer trips may find it particularly useful when looking to reduce their motoring expenses.

The timing of the update comes as fuel prices continue to put pressure on household budgets. Diesel prices recently passed the £2-per-litre mark, a significant milestone that has raised concerns among motorists and businesses that depend on road transport.

Although the price of diesel has since fallen by around 2p per litre, the cost of filling a typical 55-litre tank remains substantial. According to figures cited by the AA, an average tank of diesel costs approximately £110, compared with around £96 for the equivalent amount of petrol.

International events have also contributed to volatility in the fuel market. The impact of conflict involving the United States and Iran, alongside Russia's war with Ukraine, has affected global energy markets and contributed to uncertainty over the cost of fuel.

Google Maps is already widely used across Britain for everyday navigation, making the addition of fuel prices a potentially convenient option for drivers who would rather not download another application to compare forecourts.

The feature builds on existing services such as Waze, which already displays petrol station prices and is used by millions of people in the UK. Other specialist applications also allow drivers to compare fuel costs, although the availability and accuracy of information can vary between services.

However, motorists should be aware that the new feature may not display prices for every petrol station. Some industry experts have raised concerns about the completeness and reliability of the Government's Fuel Finder data, including whether all forecourts have registered and consistently updated their prices.

Petrol price comparison company PetrolPrices has said it continues to supplement the Government's data with additional sources because the information available through Fuel Finder does not always provide the coverage and accuracy required for a fully reliable service.

The company also identified concerns about forecourts that had not updated their diesel prices within the required timeframe. This means that, despite the reporting rules, motorists may still need to check prices before making a journey specifically to visit a cheaper petrol station.

Google Maps and Waze representatives have said accuracy is a priority. Google intends to display a price only when it has sufficient confidence that the information is correct and up to date. Petrol station locations will remain visible even when a reliable price cannot be shown.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents thousands of fuel retailers and forecourts across the country, has said its members are complying with the scheme's requirements.

Fuel Finder was launched in February by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said the initiative could save households around £40 a year by making it easier to identify cheaper fuel.

For drivers in Salisbury and across Wiltshire, comparing prices before refuelling could offer a practical way to manage rising motoring costs. However, motorists should remember that the cheapest fuel station is not always the most economical option if reaching it requires a long detour.

As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the addition of petrol and diesel costs to Google Maps could make checking local prices a more straightforward part of everyday journeys.