Fuel prices may be nudging the two dollar mark at many Adelaide outlets this week, but RAA says motorists can still save real money this Christmas by taking advantage of the city’s fuel price cycle. With many South Australians preparing to drive for holidays, family visits or last minute shopping, understanding when to fill up could make a surprising difference to the festive budget.
RAA’s latest fuel survey shows almost half of drivers do not know how long Adelaide’s unleaded price cycle lasts, which is one of the main reasons many people end up paying too much at the bowser. Around one in five drivers mistakenly believe the cycle lasts a month or longer, while another fifth think it resets in less than a week. In reality, Adelaide’s unleaded cycle runs roughly every two to three weeks, meaning prices rise sharply before gradually dropping across the metro area. If the pattern holds, many outlets should begin moving downwards again in the lead up to Christmas.
The savings can add up quickly. Filling up near the bottom of the cycle instead of the top can save around twenty dollars on a standard sixty litre tank. While prices are high in many areas right now, Adelaide’s recent average of around one dollar seventy five over the past month is actually cheaper than the same period a year ago, when the average sat at one dollar eighty two. With wholesale costs expected to remain stable, anything around one dollar seventy is considered a good buy for unleaded.
RAA fuel expert Peter Nattrass said many drivers are surprised by how much timing affects the total cost of a tank. “Christmas is an expensive time of year and the last thing you want to be doing is overpaying for fuel,” Mr Nattrass said. “Our research shows almost half of drivers aren’t sure how long Adelaide’s fuel cycle lasts, so we’re reminding them that every two to three weeks, the average price in the metro area fluctuates quite a bit.”
Mr Nattrass encouraged motorists to use live fuel prices and tracking tools before filling up, saying it is the simplest way to avoid paying top-of-cycle prices. “At the moment, prices are high at many outlets, so if there isn’t a cheap site near you, we recommend waiting to see if they fall in the lead up to Christmas, before filling your entire tank,” he said. “A price checking app like the free RAA app is the best way to keep an eye on the cycle and make an easy saving at an expensive time of year.”
Contrary to common belief, there is no single cheap day of the week. For those heading on a road trip, it is also worth checking prices along the route, as regional towns do not follow a cycle and prices can vary widely. Competitive hubs like Mount Gambier and Berri or Barmera are often lower than other country areas.
The free RAA app can send alerts when prices drop or start rising and is available for all users, not just members. Diesel drivers may also see relief soon, with wholesale prices falling in recent weeks. According to RAA’s survey, South Australians are already saving a collective fifty eight million dollars a year simply by shopping around, proving that a small bit of planning can mean more money left for festive fun.
RAA members can also now save 10c per litre at more than 46 outlets across metropolitan and regional South Australia. A full list of retailers, and terms and conditions, is on RAA’s website.
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