Cross-border diesel and gas prices comparison: Find the best fueling spots before and after the borderline. - Cost-effective Fueling of Both Sides of Border Crossings
planning a road trip during the upcoming Pentecost weekend? Maximize your holiday budget by filling up at strategic gas stations along popular routes. However, the decision to fill up before or after crossing borders depends on your destination, as shown by a recent analysis of fuel price data from the EU Commission. Here's a breakdown:
Northward Journeys
Those heading to Denmark should graze the gas pumps before departure, as petrol is 23 cents more expensive and diesel 14 cents more expensive there compared to Germany. Switch directions to Sweden for cost-effective fuel. Petrol is a hefty 28 cents cheaper than Germany, and diesel costs 9 cents less.
Westward Bound
Fuel prices in the Netherlands are 17 cents more for petrol and 7 cents more for diesel than in Germany. Conversely, Belgium offers cheaper petrol, at 16 cents less, yet diesel is 7 cents more expensive than in Germany. Luxembourg provides significant savings for both petrol and diesel, making it the cheapest fuel destination in the west.
Special Mention: France
France is nearly on par with Germany in terms of fuel costs, making it a reasonable option for crossing borders.
Eastward were you go
For those journeying eastward, the best fuel price savings are in Poland and the Czech Republic. Both nations offer a whopping 35 cents cheaper petrol compared to Germany, with diesel prices dropping by 18 and 22 cents, respectively. Further destinations in the Baltic countries remain less expensive than Germany but more costly than Poland. When traveling through the Czech Republic to destinations like Hungary or Slovakia, consider refueling in transit.
Southward Soujourns
Those heading to Austria will find cheaper petrol than in Germany, with petrol prices 22 cents cheaper and diesel 6 cents cheaper. If Austria is merely a transit country, evaluate the destination: petrol is more expensive in Italy but cheaper in Slovenia or Croatia.
Avoid Switzerland for fueling up, as it boasts higher fuel prices than Germany, Italy, or France.
Taxes and Fluctuations
The primary reason for price differences among countries is taxes and charges, though oil price fluctuations impact most nations. The data presented here was gathered on May 26, with more current figures not yet available. Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the gas station, time of day, region, and whether you're filling up on a highway or a country road.
An adjustment in travel route to find cheaper gas and accept detours is rarely beneficial, as it wastes time, contributes to environmental degradation, and may nullify the savings when considering the cost of 30 cents per kilometer driven. To save on fuel without leaving home, fill up in the evening, as gas is usually cheaper in the evening than the morning.
- Travel Wave
- Germany
- Pentecost weekend
- Austria
- France
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Brussels
- Hamburg
- Ice cream
- EU Commission
- Denmark
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- In preparation for your road trip during the Pentecost weekend, if your destination is Denmark, it's beneficial to fill up your tank before leaving Germany, as petrol is 23 cents more expensive and diesel 14 cents more in Denmark.
- On the other hand, for those traveling westward and passing through Brussels, filling up in Belgium provides cheaper petrol (16 cents less) as compared to Germany, while diesel costs 7 cents more. However, Luxembourg offers significantly cheaper petrol and diesel, making it the most cost-effective fuel destination in the west.
