Kirkcaldy is the cheapest town in Scotland when it comes to filling up at the pumps, according to a UK survey.
A study by Santander found the cost of refuelling a Ford Focus, or other car with a 60-litre fuel tank, in the town was £81.74 compared to £87.54 in Dumfries, which was named the most expensive place in the UK to fill up.
Across the UK, the price of petrol had risen by an average of 5.5% in just two months, said the study. The biggest increases were seen in Paisley, Durham and Hereford, where motorists were paying 9% more than two months previously.
Dumfries, Durham, Hereford, Crewe and Oxford were the five towns with the most expensive fuel prices in the Santander 123 Card Fuel Survey. In Dumfries, a litre of petrol had rocketed to 145.9 pence.
At the other end of the table, Torquay had the cheapest petrol in the UK at 135.9 pence per litre, with Kirkcaldy second cheapest at 136.24 pence per litre.
Santander analysed the average price per litre of premium unleaded fuels in every UK town between January 4 and March 11.
When petrol prices across Courier Country were examined, Kirkcaldy was still cheapest.
The average price of a litre of unleaded in the Lang Toun was 134.8 pence per litre, compared to an average of 136.5 pence in Dundee, 136.6 pence in Perth and 136.9 pence in Arbroath. Across Angus, Kirriemuir was the priciest at 139.9 pence a litre.
Nick Deal, who is the Road Haulage Association’s logistics development manager, said the main factors affecting petrol prices were proximity to the nearest oil terminal and competition from supermarkets.
He said it was likely Kirkcaldy’s lower prices were driven by the fact Grangemouth oil refinery is just across the Forth, and the presence of an Asda superstore in the town.
He said: “Grangemouth is the terminal for Scotland and it’s obviously not a million miles away.
“Typically, petrol is cheaper if you have an Asda or Morrisons nearby because they tend to be the cheapest supermarkets and that will drive price.”
Unfortunately for motorists, a drop in oil prices does not always mean cheaper petrol.
Mr Deal added: “The problem is when oil prices go down, outlets hold on to the margin to increase profits for a period of time.”
Also included in Santander’s five least expensive towns to refuel were Plymouth, Bradford and Wigan.
Alan Mathewson, chief executive officer for Santander Cards, said: “With the cost of fuel expected to reach its highest level in the coming weeks, families and car commuters are likely to be the hardest hit once again.
“Aside from mortgage costs, households in the UK already spend more on transport than any other living cost, so further hikes may well push many family budgets over the edge.
“There are a number of small changes people can make to reduce these costs, such as car-pooling with colleagues, driving more economically or using public transport.”
The company estimates that motorists driving 1,000 miles a month at an average of 35 miles per gallon now spend over £180 on petrol every month, almost £10 more than in January.