Find the cheapest fuel station near you

Understanding prices

What makes up the price of fuel?

The displayed price per litre combines crude oil, refining, transport, storage, retail costs, tax, duties and the station’s own pricing decision. Crude oil alone therefore does not explain short-term pump movements. Exchange rates and regional supply matter as well. Within the applicable rules, retailers decide when to change their prices, creating differences even between stations on neighbouring roads.

Local competition also shapes the result. Prices may move more dynamically where several providers compete nearby than in an area with few alternatives. Motorway stations often cost more than stations away from the route, but leaving the motorway is not automatically economical. The expected saving must exceed the fuel, time and distance spent on the detour.

What time of day is fuel usually cheaper?

German prices often show a daily pattern in which mornings are more expensive and later periods can be cheaper. This is an observation, not a promise. A station may behave differently, while holidays, travel peaks and sudden market changes can override the usual rhythm. Austria applies different rules to price increases and reductions, producing its own daily pattern. A current local comparison is more dependable than relying on one universal time.

Why do some Austrian stations have no displayed price?

Austria’s public fuel-price service follows a top-five rule. For the selected area, it publishes prices for the five cheapest reported stations. Other station locations may be returned without their current price. The purpose is to direct attention towards competitive offers rather than publish a complete price list for every retailer. A dash beside an Austrian station does not automatically mean it is closed, out of date or missing from the reporting system.

Germany has a different data structure. Changes for covered fuel grades are reported to the market transparency system and support a broader comparison. TankTrend presents both countries in one interface while retaining this distinction. The number and completeness of visible prices may consequently differ significantly on either side of the border.

Compare prices without false precision

Select the exact fuel your vehicle needs, then keep the radius as small as practical. Check the update time and favour stations already on your route. To estimate the gross saving, multiply the price difference per litre by the amount you expect to buy. A difference of two cents saves only 80 cents on 40 litres, so a dedicated longer drive would rarely be worthwhile.

Opening hours, access and payment requirements matter too. A low number is not useful if the station is closed on arrival or requires a payment method you do not have. Prices may change between the search and your arrival. The application supplies a decision aid based on the latest available report; it cannot reserve the displayed price.

Diesel, Super 95, E5 and E10

Fuel names do not map perfectly between Germany and Austria. German petrol is commonly offered as Super E5 and Super E10, whereas Super 95 is a familiar Austrian description. Your vehicle’s approval remains decisive. Check the handbook or filler flap first and then choose the matching filter. Country-aware labels make comparison easier but cannot replace the manufacturer’s technical requirement.

How fresh are the values?

Reported prices remain snapshots, even when recently updated. A station can change its sign while you are travelling. Use the timestamp, refresh a search after a longer planning interval and treat tiny differences with proportionate caution. A convenient route and a plausibly competitive price are often more robust than pursuing the final fraction of a cent.