UK petrol prices hit highest level since November 2022 at 161.6p a litre

UK average petrol reached 161.6p a litre in late August 2026, the highest since November 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted energy markets, the AA reported. Diesel averaged 183.4p. Brent crude, at $89.63 a barrel, remains well above its pre-Iran-conflict level of about $72. The RAC expects record bank-holiday traffic, with 4.1 million cars forecast on Friday alone.