The cost of living can be quite a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to the unpredictable swings in petrol prices.

For those who hit the road regularly, whether it's for leisurely drives or simply to run errands, keeping an eye on the bowser can make a significant difference to the wallet.

This week, there’s an important heads-up for all motorists: brace yourselves for a petrol price spike expected to hit just as the weekend rolls around.

In the bustling cities of Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, prices are on a bit of a downward trend.

Major cities in Australia will experience a petrol price spike over the weekend. Credit: Shutterstock

According to the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA), this is the calm before the storm, and by the time the weekend hits, we could be looking at prices soaring above $2 per litre.

Peter Khoury from the NRMA has pointed out that the difference in what you pay for a standard tank of fuel could be as much as $20, depending on when you decide to fill up.

Currently, Sydney is seeing an average price of 178 cents per litre for regular unleaded petrol, while Melbourne is slightly lower at 175 cents per litre.

Brisbane, on the other hand, is already pushing the upper limits with an average of 199 cents per litre.

'If you're in Sydney, it is already starting to jump, but 178 cents in Sydney is better than what's going to come,' Khoury warned.

‘We have also seen some better prices in Melbourne and Brisbane because they are at the bottom of their cycles.’

So, what can you do to avoid being caught out by the spike?

One of the best strategies is to make use of the technology at our fingertips.

There are over 40 price-tracking apps available that can help you find the cheapest petrol in your area.

These user-friendly apps can be a godsend for keeping your petrol costs down.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is also encouraging drivers to use these apps to stay informed and save money.

Key Takeaways

• Motorists in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney are urged to fill up their petrol tanks by the weekend ahead of expected price spikes.
• Despite falling prices, the NRMA warned that petrol costs could significantly increase, potentially costing drivers an additional $20 for a standard tank.
• The average prices for regular unleaded petrol vary across the cities, with Sydney at 178 cents per litre, Melbourne at 175 cents per litre, and Brisbane at 199 cents per litre.
• The NRMA and the ACCC recommend motorists use price tracking apps to find cheaper petrol prices, with over 40 apps available to assist consumers.

Have you used any of these petrol price tracking apps? Do you have any tips for saving on fuel that you'd like to share with the community? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Again, last week, there was a difference of 50cents between petrol stations along the Gt Eastern Hwy between Midland and Sawyers Valley.
How do they explain this.

We overlook an Ampol petrol station in Perth. The petrol price was 164.9 cents per litre on Tuesday afternoon then 219.9 cents per litre early yesterday morning. Every week it's the same then dribbles down 10 or 15 cents every day until Tuesday.

Like clockwork!

 

[maggiej]

WE here in WA always have a spike on WEdnesday well over $2 every week usually $2.19 or even more so this is nothing new to us it goes down every day and usually 10c the first day and so on. This is price gouging at a premium but the Government do nothing about this. We do have Fuel watch which is a con as well as they do not really regulate the prices.

 

[Luckyus]

Our oil reserves are depleted with almost nothing left to refine.

And successive governments allowed it to happen with thought of the future.

 

[drambuie69]

Wrote to the NRMA when this 'cycle' rubbish started, they wouldn't put my letter in their magazine and still
waiting for an explanation... so much for being for the motorist. The price of petrol is defined by the census..if you are a 'average wage earner living in a relatively large area of average wage earners' the petrol mob keep the cost low and the cycle lasts longer. This encourages those people to drive more. If however, you live in an 'affulent area', the price is higher and the cycle lasts shorter. On the Central Coast I have noticed that the cycle is lasting shorter and the price stays higher longer. Reason, a high majority of residents drive longer and more often. We 'often' hear that the price of crude oil is quoted in American dollars.... we don't buy our oil from the USA, our barrell is based on Singapore pricing. As for the Apps... I looked at a couple of them once... they told me to travel to Blacktown, from the Central Coast, for cheaper fuel....'that makes sense... I use to, with a partner, have 2 service stations, and their is no point in having brand loyalty.... all fuel is the same except for colour and additives..I don't buy BP, Shell and sometimes Ampol... their prices stay relatively high at all times..I shop wherever is cheapest, if we started boycotting the so-called big stations you would soon see a change of attitude on their pricing. The Gov. can't regulated the price at the bowser, unless you live in a Communist country.. it is called 'free trade', we the customers have the power to change them so start buying from the independents and boycott the greedy ones....as for
the NRMA being the voice of the motorist forget it.... I have had numerous issues with them, failed every time, they are more interested in 'helping Koalas, putting out fires with magical water spouts and pushing train carriages over to get someone off the lines.....

 

[TonyV]

While Potatohead Dutton uses public transport to travel from Queensland to Canberra? Yeah sure!

What a stupid bloody comment! I assume you're no oil painting either.

 

[Veggiepatch]

What a stupid bloody comment! I assume you're no oil painting either.

Your mirror confirms your stupidity....and ugliness.

Go play in the traffic....preferably peak hour.

 

[TonyV]

Like interest rates, Australia has no control over crude oil prices. Everything is governed by global markets, unfortunately.

This lamentable federal government rips 50c per litre in excise from motorists. If they were serious about cost-of-living relief, they would reduce or freeze excise at least for a period but they are not serious about it.

 

[Rob44]

Just maybe if we all stopped commuting to our city centre work, 1 to an SUV/ute ,then we would use less petrol /diesel. I suppose that would require assorted state governments to organise cheap frequent public transport available in our sprawling suburbias and maybe market force about prices of petrol/diesel fuel might prevail?

 

[Veggiepatch]

This lamentable federal government rips 50c per litre in excise from motorists. If they were serious about cost-of-living relief, they would reduce or freeze excise at least for a period but they are not serious about it.

The fuel tax or excise has been in existence since Federation in 1901 under the Protectionist Party. It is not an invention of the current Federal Labor government.

And try 46 cents per litre, not 50 cents.

 

[DLHM]

What a stupid bloody comment! I assume you're no oil painting either.

Quite the contrary @TonyV, your assumption is incorrect.
@Veggiepatch is gorgeous and highly intelligent.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Quite the contrary @TonyV, your assumption is incorrect.
@Veggiepatch is gorgeous and highly intelligent.

Some serious brownie points right there!!

 

[Gaena]

as usual it is apparently yet another government plot!!

 

[Gsr]

Boohoo, my heart bleeds for city folks who have to pay what us country folks pay all the time. No doubt our prices will jump up into the mid $2/3 range as they are well over $2 now, and have been for months.

 

[Luckyus]

What a stupid bloody comment! I assume you're no oil painting either.

There really no need for vitriolic amongst members whether you agree with them or not, lets keep our vitriol for where it belongs in the halls of Canberra from where they enjoy privilege.

 

[Kevin. A.]

How can petrol outlets justify these sudden unjustified charges. Fuel providers should be held accountable and forced to justify fuel price fluctuations and hikes. These price hikes are nothing more that profiteering.