Find cheap fuel near you

Background

Why do fuel prices change so often?

The pump price is not controlled by one factor. Crude oil and exchange rates are only the beginning. Refining, transport, storage, tax, duties and each retailer’s pricing decision all contribute to the amount shown at a station. This is why the price per litre can move even when crude oil barely changes that day. Competition is local as well: stations observe nearby rivals and respond to them. A search around the place where you actually plan to refuel is therefore more useful than a national average.

Recurring movements can appear during a day, but no hour is guaranteed to be the cheapest. Demand, holiday traffic, supply and regional events can disrupt a familiar pattern. TankTrend combines two views for this reason. The map answers where the currently available lower prices are; the forecast helps with the second question, whether delaying a stop may be worthwhile.

When does a lower price produce a real saving?

A cheaper litre only saves money if the detour does not cost more than the difference. With a small fill, a few extra kilometres may consume the entire benefit. Compare price, distance, expected volume and vehicle consumption together. A station already on a commute or planned route is a different proposition from a special journey made only to buy fuel. TankTrend places price and distance together so that the lowest number can be judged as a practical choice.

Germany and Austria use different price systems

The interface is consistent, but the underlying data is not identical. In Germany, changes for the relevant fuel grades are reported to the market transparency system, allowing a broad comparison within an area. Austria’s public fuel-price information follows a distinctive rule: a search publishes prices for the five cheapest reported stations in the area. Other located stations may appear without a price. This top-five rule is intended to promote price competition, but it also means that a blank price does not necessarily indicate stale data or an application error.

Fuel labels differ too. German petrol is commonly divided into Super E5 and Super E10, while Super 95 is a typical Austrian label. TankTrend adapts the options and wording to the detected country. You should still check the fuel approved for your vehicle in its manual or on the filler flap. Similar names are not a substitute for the manufacturer’s specification.

How to read current values and a forecast

Every station price is a snapshot. Check its update time and allow for a change before arrival. The seven-day forecast is not a guarantee either. It describes an expected direction based on available observations and cannot reliably anticipate exceptional events. It is most useful when you have enough range to choose: use a suitable offer now, wait for a possible short-term fall, or move the stop to another day.

A practical way to use TankTrend

Start with a realistic search radius, select the required fuel and check freshness before comparing reachable stations. If several offers are similar, route, opening status and the expected trend may decide between them. This brings location, current reports and likely movement into one decision without pretending that any future price is certain.