Petrol prices now on Google Maps: how Fuel Finder works

What changed on 8 October

On 8 October 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and HM Treasury announced that near real-time petrol and diesel prices are included on Google Maps for the first time in the UK. The change means drivers can see current prices for a forecourt before they set off, rather than relying on prices that may be out of date. The prices shown on Google Maps come from the government's Fuel Finder scheme, which collects price data from petrol stations across the country.

The launch is the first time that near real-time fuel prices have appeared on Google Maps in the UK. The government said the conflict in the Middle East has been pushing up fuel prices for drivers, which makes it more important for drivers to be able to compare prices easily. The Fuel Finder scheme was created following a recommendation by the Competition and Markets Authority, to help drivers get more competitive fuel prices. The scheme now reflects around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads, so the prices shown on Google Maps cover the overwhelming majority of forecourts that drivers are likely to use.

How to check fuel prices on Google Maps

Drivers can check local fuel prices by opening Google Maps and searching for a forecourt nearby. The app displays prices for petrol and diesel for the forecourts that appear in the search results. This means a driver can compare prices at several nearby stations without visiting each one or checking separate websites. The prices are drawn from the Fuel Finder scheme, which is updated as petrol stations report changes.

The process is designed to be simple: open Google Maps, search for a forecourt, and look at the prices shown for petrol and diesel. Because the data comes from Fuel Finder, the prices reflect what stations have reported under the reporting rules that have been in force since February 2026. Google said the Fuel Finder data is integrated into both Google Maps and Waze, so drivers who use either app can see the same underlying price information. The government says the overwhelming majority of petrol stations are inputting data to Fuel Finder promptly, which supports the accuracy of the prices displayed.

How much of the market is covered: 99%

Fuel Finder now reflects around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads. That figure means the scheme covers almost all the fuel that drivers buy, rather than only a subset of forecourts. The coverage figure is central to how useful the Google Maps prices are, because a price comparison is only helpful if it includes the stations a driver might actually use. The government has pointed to the 99% coverage as evidence that the scheme is working across the market.

Since February 2026 it has been compulsory for petrol stations across the UK to report the price of their fuel within 30 minutes of it changing, or risk a fine. That 30 minute reporting rule is what makes the prices close to real time rather than historical. The Competition and Markets Authority can take action where there is evidence that petrol stations are not complying with the law. The government says the overwhelming majority of petrol stations are inputting data to Fuel Finder promptly, which helps maintain the 99% coverage figure and the reliability of the prices shown on Google Maps and other apps.

How much drivers could save

The government says comparing prices can save a household that owns a car around 40 pounds a year. That estimate is based on the idea that drivers who check prices before filling up can choose a cheaper forecourt and reduce their annual fuel spending. The figure is a government estimate, not a guarantee, and actual savings will vary depending on how much a household drives and the price differences between local stations.

The availability of prices on Google Maps makes that comparison easier because it removes some of the effort involved in checking multiple sources. A driver can search for a forecourt nearby and see petrol and diesel prices in the same app used for navigation. The government's 40 pounds a year estimate is presented alongside the launch of the Google Maps feature, and it applies to a household that owns a car. The estimate does not specify a particular driving pattern or region, so it is a broad figure rather than a precise prediction for every driver.

Where else the Fuel Finder data appears

The Fuel Finder data is already used by apps including Waze, the AA and RAC Fuel Watch. That means the Google Maps launch extends an existing system rather than creating a new one. The scheme was created following a recommendation by the Competition and Markets Authority, to help drivers get more competitive fuel prices. The Competition and Markets Authority can take action where there is evidence that petrol stations are not complying with the law, which gives the reporting rules an enforcement mechanism.

Google said the Fuel Finder data is integrated into both Google Maps and Waze. The presence of the data in multiple apps means drivers have several ways to check prices, and the same underlying Fuel Finder figures feed those services. The government says the overwhelming majority of petrol stations are inputting data to Fuel Finder promptly, and the scheme now reflects around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads. The government said the conflict in the Middle East has been pushing up fuel prices for drivers, which is the context in which the Google Maps feature was announced on 8 October 2026 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and HM Treasury.

Source: GOV.UK press release, 8 October 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

When did petrol and diesel prices appear on Google Maps in the UK?

Near real-time petrol and diesel prices are included on Google Maps for the first time in the UK from 8 October 2026. The change was announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and HM Treasury.

How can drivers check fuel prices on Google Maps?

Drivers can check local fuel prices by opening Google Maps and searching for a forecourt nearby. Prices for petrol and diesel are displayed for the forecourts that appear in the search results.

Where do the prices on Google Maps come from?

The prices come from the government's Fuel Finder scheme. Fuel Finder now reflects around 99% of all fuel sold on UK roads.

How often must petrol stations report price changes?

Since February 2026 it has been compulsory for petrol stations across the UK to report the price of their fuel within 30 minutes of it changing, or risk a fine.

How much could a household save by comparing fuel prices?

The government says comparing prices can save a household that owns a car around 40 pounds a year.