With the cost of living rising every day, one of the things that has been heavily impacted is the cost of fuel - which is estimated to have risen by 33% since the pandemic.
The average cost of petrol and diesel has increased by around 33c per litre since March 2020, according to the AA's fuel price report.
This has made it approximately €19 more expensive to fill a typical 55-litre family car at current prices, with many people feeling the pinch.
On RTE Radio 1's Drivetime programme on Monday, Sean Fleming TD controversially told listeners to "shop around" in order to get the best value for money.
The Minister of State at the Department of Finance told host Sarah McInerney: “It takes effort to shop and switch, and if people make an effort they can save a lot of money.”
We decided to visit six fuel stations at different locations within a 2km radius in Dublin to see if driving the extra mile could make any real difference to our pockets.
Circle K Eglington (N11 southbound)
Petrol 176.8 (cent per litre)
- Price at 55 litres: €97.24
Diesel 167.8
- Price at 55 litres: €92.29
Maxol Sallynoggin
Petrol 170.9
- Price at 55 litres: €93.99
Diesel 161.5
- Price at 55 litres: €88.82
Circle K Rochestown Avenue
Petrol 176.8
- Price at 55 litres: €97.24
Diesel 166.8
- Price at 55 litres: €91.74
Texaco Rochestown Avenue
Petrol 176.8
- Price at 55 litres: €97.24
Diesel 166.8
- Price at 55 litres: €91.74
Applegreen Bakers Corner
Petrol 171.8
- Price at 55 litres: €94.49
Diesel 163.8
- Price at 55 litres: €90.09
Texaco Clonkeen Road
Petrol 176.9
- Price at 55 litres: €97.29
Diesel 166.9
- Price at 55 litres: €91.79
Difference in petrol prices
The most expensive petrol was found at a Texaco garage on the Clonkeen road, costing 176.9 a litre with 55 litres costing €97.29. The cheapest petrol was at the Maxol in Sallynoggin, costing 170.9 a litre with 55 litres costing €93.99.
Saving: €3.30
Difference in diesel prices
The most expensive diesel was found at the Circle K Eglington on the N11 going southbound, costing 167.8 a litre with 55 litres costing €92.29. The cheapest diesel was at the Maxol in Sallynoggin costing 161.5 a litre with 55 litres costing €88.82.
Saving: €3.47
In conclusion: Yes, a saving of just under €3.50 can be made if you 'shop around' every time you fill up your tank with petrol or diesel. If you fill your tank up once a month, 'shopping around' would save you just €42 over the course of a year. If you fill your tank up twice a month, this could save you €84 over a year.
