Van drivers carrying big fuel costs

Van drivers across the UK are facing higher running costs as fuel prices rise to some of the highest since 2022.

UK government fuel price data, for the week commencing 26th October 2026, shows diesel costs on average £1.99 per litre and petrol £1.74 per litre. But according to current figures on UK Fuel Prices Live, some forecourts are charging up to £2.35 per litre for diesel.  

For the UK’s estimated 4.5 million van drivers, the majority of whom rely on fuel for their work, paying £1.99 per litre equates to an estimated combined annual bill of £8.34 billion (around £1,813 for a typical diesel van), based on average mileage of van insurance policies bought with MoneySuperMarket between 2022 and 2026.

Average mileage for van drivers has also increased in recent years, as MoneySuperMarket data based on all domestic and personally insured van policies sold revealed van drivers covered an average 8,107 miles so far this year to June, up 16% from 6,964 miles in 2022.

The combination of more miles and higher pump prices means fuel costs are now significantly higher than previously.

Alicia Hempsted, Van Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket said, “Van drivers are currently dealing with a combination of rising fuel prices and increased mileage, both of which are pushing up overall running costs.

“For many tradespeople and small business owners, this has a direct impact on profitability, making it more important than ever to manage expenses carefully.

“Using tools such as the fuel cost calculator can help drivers better understand how changes in pump prices affect spending on fuel. Even small price differences between local petrol stations can add up over time, so comparing fuel prices before filling up is a simple but effective way to reduce costs.”