Petrol Prices Near Me: Today’s Cheapest Fuel in Ireland

Anyone who’s ever winced at the pump knows the feeling: you pull in, glance at the price, and wonder if you should have filled up yesterday. As of May 2026, the national average for a litre of petrol in Ireland sits at €1.72, according to data from FuelCompare (live price tracker). This guide shows you how to use free tools and a little timing to keep more cash in your wallet.

Current average petrol price in Ireland (per litre): €1.72 ·
Cheapest day to buy petrol: Monday ·
Best time of day for lowest prices: Morning (pre-10 AM) ·
National average diesel price (per litre): €1.68 ·
Number of stations tracked on FuelCompare.ie: 2,172

Five key figures in one table:

How much is petrol in Ireland today?

National average price per litre

• As of May 2026, the average price for a litre of petrol is €1.72, based on FuelCompare’s live tracker.
• Diesel averages €1.68 per litre (FuelCompare).
• AA Ireland reported higher April 2026 averages of €1.91 for petrol and €2.14 for diesel, but those figures are not current (FuelWatch Ireland citing AA Ireland).

Regional variations (Dublin vs. rural)

• Dublin stations typically charge 2-3 cents more per litre than rural areas, according to FuelCompare’s county breakdown.
• The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland shows even within a single town, prices can differ by 3p or more (Consumer Council for Northern Ireland fuel price checker).

The pattern: location and local competition create a 5-10 cent spread across Ireland. GoCompare’s guide confirms that checking multiple stations before filling up can save you €2-4 per tank.

Which day is petrol cheapest?

Weekly price cycle analysis

• Monday is consistently the cheapest day to fill up in Ireland, according to FuelCompare’s weekly price data.
• Friday and Saturday see the highest prices, often 3-5 cents more per litre (Pick A Pump’s daily analysis).

Why Monday is typically cheapest

Stations often adjust prices late Sunday or early Monday based on wholesale changes and lower weekend demand. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland’s data shows that prices can dip by 2-3p on Monday mornings (Consumer Council for Northern Ireland).

The takeaway: timing your visit to the pump around the weekly cycle is one of the easiest ways to cut fuel costs without changing your driving habits.

What time of day is best to buy petrol?

Morning vs. afternoon pricing

• Prices are lowest before 10 AM, as many stations set their daily rates early and rarely drop them later (Pick A Pump’s intraday observations).
• Afternoon demand, especially around lunch and evening commute, can push prices up by 1-2 cents (FuelCompare hourly trends).

Impact of demand on intraday prices

Not all stations follow this pattern, but urban stations in Dublin and Cork are more likely to raise prices during peak hours. Consumer Council for Northern Ireland notes that some stations in Antrim show higher prices during afternoon hours.

What this means: filling up in the early morning locks in the day’s lowest price before any potential increases.

Where is the cheapest price of petrol?

Using FuelCompare.ie and PickAPump

• FuelCompare.ie tracks live prices across 2,172 Irish stations and updates hourly (FuelCompare).
• PickAPump.com claims over 7,000 stations in the UK and Ireland, with a dedicated Ireland map (Pick A Pump).
• Petrolprices.com offers a real-time map and price search for Ireland (PetrolPrices).

Cheapest stations by county

• In Limerick, Tripadvisor forum users reported the Shell garage on Corbally Road as cheapest (low confidence).
• In Antrim, the Consumer Council lists average petrol at 154.2p, 0.6p above the NI average (Consumer Council for Northern Ireland).

The implication: using an aggregator app before you drive will almost always find a station 2-5 cents cheaper than the nearest brand-name pump.

Who has the cheapest gas prices in Ireland?

Applegreen vs. Circle K vs. independent stations

• Independent stations are consistently 2-4 cents cheaper per litre than Applegreen or Circle K, according to FuelWatch Ireland’s comparison data.
• Applegreen and Circle K prices vary by region; in the West, Applegreen is often competitive (FuelCompare regional averages).

A comparison table across three common brands:

The pattern: brand loyalty costs you. Switching to an independent station can save €1-2 per fill-up.

What is the price of 1 liter of petrol?

Current litre price breakdown

• As noted, petrol is €1.72 per litre nationally (FuelCompare).
• Diesel is €1.68 per litre (FuelCompare).

Tax and excise component

• Taxes and excise duty make up about 57% of the pump price, according to AA Ireland data cited by FuelWatch Ireland.
• A NORA levy pause in April 2026 temporarily reduced prices by 2 cents per litre (FuelWatch Ireland).

The trade-off: even with lower global oil prices, Irish drivers pay a high tax burden that keeps the per-litre cost above €1.70.

Do petrol prices go up at night?

Evidence from Irish price cycles

• Some stations, particularly in urban areas, raise prices during peak evening hours (5-7 PM) (Pick A Pump’s daily data).
• This pattern is not universal, but FuelCompare’s hourly updates show that prices tend to be static after 10 AM until the next morning.

What to watch: if you fill up after work, you might pay 1-2 cents more than you would at 8 AM. The difference is small but adds up over a year.

“We compare fuel prices at 2,172 stations across Ireland and update prices hourly.”

— FuelCompare

“Our platform covers over 7,000 stations in the UK and Ireland, giving drivers real-time price visibility.”

— Pick A Pump

For Irish drivers, the choice is clear: use a free price comparison app, fill up on Monday morning, and you’ll almost certainly pay less than if you pull into the nearest station on a Friday evening. That routine can save you €120-€150 a year on fuel.

Related reading: Martin Lewis Car Insurance: Cheapest Quotes & MSE Tips

Frequently asked questions