Head-to-head comparison
WorthThePump vs AA Fuel Prices
AA Fuel Prices reports national and regional averages. WorthThePump finds cheap stations near you and does the saving calculation for your car.
Quick comparison
| Feature | WorthThePump | AA Fuel Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Drivers who want to know if a cheaper station is worth the detour | Drivers wanting to understand how their regional prices compare to the national average, and researchers or journalists needing a trusted source for historical UK fuel price data |
| Price | Free — no account required | Free |
| Data source | UK Government Fuel Finder API (hourly) | Trusted AA brand with strong motoring advocacy credentials |
| Vehicle-specific calc | DVLA lookup + MPG derivation | Not available |
| Net saving shown | £ saved or lost per fill | Price per litre only |
| DVLA integration | Enter reg, vehicle confirmed | Not available |
What is AA Fuel Prices?
The AA's Fuel Price Report is a monthly publication by the AA (Automobile Association) covering average petrol and diesel prices across UK regions and selected European countries. The AA, like the RAC, is a major motoring organisation and uses its fuel price data to advocate for drivers on pump pricing fairness. The report provides a high-level regional breakdown — comparing England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — and tracks historical averages. It is a reference and advocacy resource rather than a live station-finder tool.
Best for: Drivers wanting to understand how their regional prices compare to the national average, and researchers or journalists needing a trusted source for historical UK fuel price data.
www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fuels-environment/fuel-price-report
What is WorthThePump?
WorthThePump is a free UK fuel saving calculator. Enter your number plate, confirm your vehicle, and WorthThePump fetches live prices from every nearby station — then tells you exactly how much you'll save (or lose) by driving to each one, after accounting for the detour fuel cost.
Best for: Drivers who want to know whether a cheaper station is genuinely worth the trip — not just the cheapest price, but the actual net saving for their specific car.
Where AA Fuel Prices wins
- Trusted AA brand with strong motoring advocacy credentials
- Regional price breakdown — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Historical monthly data useful for trend analysis and research
- Includes European country comparisons
- Clear, easy-to-read format suitable for non-technical users
Where WorthThePump wins
- Calculates whether the detour is actually worth it — not just the price
- DVLA registration lookup — no need to know your MPG
- Real-world MPG derivation from official VCA data with test penalty applied
- Live prices from UK Government Fuel Finder API — all major UK retailers
- Net saving in £ shown per station — green pins mean worth it, red means false economy
- Completely free — no account, no registration
AA Fuel Prices limitations
- Does not show whether a detour to a cheaper station is worth it
- No live station finder — cannot show real-time prices at specific forecourts
- Monthly report cadence — not updated daily or in real time
- No vehicle-specific saving calculation or DVLA lookup
- Regional averages mask significant local price variation
WorthThePump limitations
- UK only — uses the UK Government Fuel Finder API which covers Great Britain only
- Requires browser geolocation to find nearby stations
- MPG estimate is derived, not measured — can be overridden manually but defaults to official figures
- Does not show price history — current prices only
The verdict
Choose the AA Fuel Prices report if you want monthly regional context on how UK prices compare across the country or over time. Choose WorthThePump if you need live local prices right now and want to know, for your specific car, whether driving to a cheaper station a mile away will actually put money in your pocket.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between WorthThePump and AA Fuel Prices?
Choose the AA Fuel Prices report if you want monthly regional context on how UK prices compare across the country or over time. Choose WorthThePump if you need live local prices right now and want to know, for your specific car, whether driving to a cheaper station a mile away will actually put money in your pocket.
How much does AA Fuel Prices cost?
Free. Published monthly on the AA website. No sign-up required.
Does the AA have a petrol price finder app?
The AA publishes a monthly fuel price report but does not offer a live local station-finder tool. For live nearby prices, tools like WorthThePump (using the UK Government Fuel Finder API) provide real-time data at the individual station level.
How often does the AA update its fuel prices?
The AA Fuel Price Report is published monthly. It is a useful reference tool but not suitable for finding today's cheapest station near you. WorthThePump updates its station data hourly.
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