Are supermarkets still the cheapest place to fill up in 2025

For years many drivers have headed straight to the supermarket forecourt on the assumption that it is always the lowest price. In 2025 that rule of thumb often holds true, but the picture is more nuanced than it used to be. Prices move with crude costs, exchange rates and retailer strategy, and that means the cheapest option in your town can change from week to week.

Supermarkets usually set a keen headline price to draw shoppers onto the site. They benefit from high volumes and tight operating models, so they can often undercut smaller rivals. Yet that is not guaranteed. Busy independents, membership clubs and some oil brand sites now use live data and sharper pricing to win local business. The result is a patchwork where one postcode sees a clear supermarket lead while the next postcode throws up a surprise winner.

This is where checking real prices before you drive can pay off. Pop your location into the FindmyFuel search and compare the pumps near you in seconds. You will see which forecourt is genuinely the cheapest today rather than relying on habit. If you travel for work or school, save your regular routes and check again on the day you plan to fill up. A quick look can uncover a saving of several pence per litre which adds up over the year.

There are also timing effects to consider. When wholesale prices are falling, some retailers pass the reduction through more quickly than others. When wholesale prices are rising, some forecourts move first while others hold for a little longer. Because of these lags the supermarket advantage can widen and narrow within a single month. Checking live results on FindmyFuel removes the guesswork and helps you time your stop.

Location matters as well. Supermarkets tend to be most competitive in dense urban areas where there are many rivals. In rural catchments or on trunk roads the gap can shrink. If you are planning a long journey, use the FindmyFuel fuel cost calculator to estimate what each stop might cost and to see whether a short detour off a motorway or an A road will save money. Often a two minute diversion to a town forecourt beats the services by a clear margin.

Loyalty and promotions play a role. Some supermarkets offer extra points or occasional pence off per litre vouchers tied to grocery spend. These can be valuable, but the base pump price still matters. A small voucher at a higher priced site may not beat a lower starting price elsewhere. The simplest approach is to compare the pump price first with FindmyFuel search, then decide whether a loyalty perk tips the balance.

So are supermarkets still the cheapest. Usually, but not always. The smart move is to treat every fill as a small decision rather than a fixed habit. Check live local prices, consider timing and route, and factor in any perks only after you have confirmed the base price. With that routine you will capture the supermarket saving when it exists and you will spot those days when another forecourt wins. Start with a quick search on FindmyFuel and keep more money in your pocket every time you fill up.