Petrol and diesel drivers across the UK continue to be hit with expensive fuel costs as experts call on motorists to take steps and save money.
The latest data from RAC Fuel Watch states that drivers are now paying one penny more for petrol and 2p more for diesel compared to last month.
This is the second straight month of hikes at the pumps as drivers remain under pressure from rising prices and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
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Motorists are now paying an average of 134.15p per litre for unleaded petrol, while diesel has risen to 142.85p per litre.
Drivers continue to see prices rise at the pumps
|GETTY/PA
This follows the respective rises of 2p and 3p in the previous month, with petrol drivers now forking out almost £75 for an average 55-litre tank, and £78.57 for diesel.
Unleaded is now at its most expensive point since mid-April, while diesel is at its highest since mid-March earlier this year.
Simon Williams, fuel spokesperson for the RAC, said: "Unfortunately, drivers heading into the busy summer holiday season will be met with rising prices at the pumps, as the cost of fuel increased in July for the second month running."
As highlighted by experts, drivers can find the best savings at supermarkets, where both petrol and diesel are almost 4p cheaper than the UK averages.
Petrol and diesel prices peaked across the UK in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine | PAResearch found that Costco, which is a membership-only supermarket, was charging an average of 125.6p for petrol and 133.2p for diesel at its 20 forecourts across Great Britain at the end of last month.
Supermarkets tend to offer cheaper petrol and diesel than other major retailers, given that they buy and sell fuel in higher quantities.
Williams also said drivers were still receiving savings from the Government's five pence per litre fuel duty cut, which was imposed to address high prices from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He stated that the average price of petrol is just a couple of pence above the annual average for 2021, which has prompted Labour to extend the 5p cut until March 2026
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"Our analysis of the difference between wholesale and retail prices shows retailer margins remain high, particularly on petrol," he said.
The expert also noted that drivers in Northern Ireland continue to see the cheapest costs, mainly thanks to the Consumer Council's Fuel Price Checker.
This allows motorists to see how much fuel costs across the country, with drivers being charged just 128p for petrol and 134.5p for diesel.
The latest prices from the Consumer Council show that the cheapest area for petrol is Dungannon and Craigavon at 124.9p, while Cookstown charges just 129.5p for diesel.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the Government would extend the 5p fuel duty cut
| PAOn the other end of the spectrum, Marherafelt is charging 133.6p per litre for petrol, while drivers in Newry are paying 139.4p for diesel.
Despite this, Northern Irish motorists are still paying less than the UK average, although they remain the most expensive in the six counties.
Williams concluded, saying: "Drivers may also see significant differences on forecourt totems from area to area which can be very frustrating.
"To buy the best value fuel, it's important to keep an eye out for the lowest prices around. Alternatively, start using a free mobile app such as myRAC to find the cheapest fuel near you."