North, south, east or west — here is where you will snare the best bowser bargains across Melbourne during the King’s Birthday break.
Prices are varied across Melbourne on Friday, with data collated from Petrol Spy, RACV and FuelPrice Australia suggesting some service stations are offering competitive prices below the current unleaded average, which is sitting around $1.97 to $1.98.
With thousands of Victorians expected to hit the road from Saturday, the RACV has recommended that drivers take the time to scope out the best deals available.
Thousands of Victorians will hit the road this weekend.
Head of Corporate Communications Eleanor Colonico said the average price has soared over the weeks, citing an increase of 25 cents since May 24.
“RACV recommends that motorists shop around, as some retailers across Melbourne are offering prices below 171 cents per litre,” Ms Colonico said.
Unleaded prices across Melbourne have fluctuated dramatically in recent months, with fuel previously costing around $1.70 on average at the end of May, before a substantial leap to $2 at the start of June.
Some suburbs are currently offering disproportionately better prices than others, such as Reservoir in Melbourne’s north.
Some servos in the south east of Melbourne have set their prices above the $2 mark, with some pumps in Narre Warren charging as high as $2.20.
In regional Victoria, Bendigo is currently offering the cheapest average fuel price at $1.74 per litre; with Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon, Warragul, Wodonga and Moe also offering competitive prices.
While Ms Colonico said it was difficult to predict future fuel price trends over the coming weeks, she admitted the value of the Aussie dollar relative to the US and levels of competition in different areas would play a large role.
The current unleaded average is sitting around $1.97 to $1.98.
Inner south
Suburbs closer to the CBD on average are offering pricier options ahead of the long weekend, with only a handful of pumps in South Melbourne charging below $2.
Service stations around St Kilda are currently offering the most competitive prices with fuel at On The Run Connect along Marine Parade in St Kilda costing $1.92 per litre.
Southeast
Unleaded prices are best in the area between Cheltenham and Heatherton, with most servos offering unleaded under the $2 per litre mark.
Liberty and United are charging $1.90 per litre at bowers in Cheltenham, as well as Shell in Heatherton.
Outer southeast
Pumps in Ferntree Gully and Rowville have remained competitive with their pricing, with most retailers charging below $1.90, likely delayed in response to the rising cost sweeping across Melbourne in June.
Most pumps in the Dandenong are offering unleaded at or above $2, with fuel from Bp setting you back $2.07 per litre.
Motorists are being urged to shop around.
Mornington Peninsula
For those heading down the Mornington Peninsula, there’s good news- prices in the Frankston North area and pumps in Cranbourne West will offer drivers the best deals, with Metro Seaford offering just $1.80.
Mornington servos aren’t charging anything lower than $2.08 and prices at BP, 7 Eleven, Liberty, Coles Express and Ampol charging around $2.05 per litre.
East
Bowsers in Hawthorn East are currently costing motorists between $1.90 and $2.06, one of the more expensive suburbs in the eastern suburbs.
United and BP in Burwood are only charging consumers $1.85 and $1.89 per litre respectively, offering some of the most competitive average prices in the area.
Alphington, Heidelberg Heights and Doncaster have the best prices in the northeast.
Northeast
Alphington, Heidelberg Heights and Doncaster are the suburbs offering the best prices for unleaded in Melbourne’s north east.
Most pumps are pricing unleaded between $1.90 and $2.
Pumps in and around Greensborough and St Helena are mostly above $2.02.
Inner North
Prices are fairly steep around Parkville, Travancore and Brunswick, where it is unlikely drivers will find anything below $1.90, offered at Metro in Brunswick.
Carlton is offering the most competitive unleaded prices, Metro again offering the best deal with $1.88 per litre.
North
Reservoir has three pumps; Liberty, OCTANE and Metro that are offering below $1.66 and is arguably the cheapest suburb to fuel up in throughout Melbourne.
Motorists won’t find unleaded cheaper than $2.08 in Essendon North or Essendon, but can find pumps charging $1.90 in Pascoe Vale South.
West
Tarneit is offering the best fuel prices in Melbourne’s south west currently, with OOM Energy and Metro charging motorists $1.80.
7 Eleven, Liberty and Dayef Petroleum are all offering below $1.80 in Maidstone.
Hoppers Crossing and Werribee are averaging at nearly $2.04 for unleaded across most bowsers along the Princes Freeway.