Saving on Fuel: Hack the Daily Highs and Lows
During the daytime, gas prices escalate up to 13 cents compared to nighttime. - Morning fuel prices rise by 13 cents compared to evening prices
Want to squeeze some extra bucks out of your fuel budget? It seems the magic lies in when you fill up your tank! As per ADAC's latest analysis, daily fuel prices can vary significantly depending on the time of day. In May, Super E10 and diesel were respectively 12.5 cents and 13.3 cents per liter pricier during the morning rush than the evening ought to cost you. That's a significant difference compared to the 6-7 cents fluctuation in 2021.
"Time it right, and you can score some serious savings," says Christian Laberer, ADAC's fuel market guru. While this isn't a brand-new advice, the savings are more substantial now than they were a year ago.
So, when's the best time to hit the pumps? Well, brace yourself, it's a bit of a dance! Fuel prices start spiking around 6:00 AM and reach their crest just after 7:00 AM. Diesel and Super E10 jump by as much as 9 cents and 8 cents respectively during this period versus the day's average. But, fear not! Prices drop dramatically as soon as 9:00 AM, settling only 2 cents above the daily average before ticking up slightly and taking wild, wavy turns towards the evening trough. Fuels are already 2 cents under the daily average by midday, and particularly cheap around 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 8:00 PM, with the lowest point being just before 6:00 PM. After 10:00 PM, prices start to inch up again and settle relatively steady through the night, only to surge again come dawn.
According to ADAC, this pattern repeats itself a whopping eight times daily, which was the peak last year. Individual gas stations may exhibit even more peaks, but ADAC's analysis is based on average values. Early in the year, the Federal Cartel Office reported an average of 22 price changes per station, with some hitting more than 40 or even 50 changes in a single day. So, catching the exact lowest price at night isn't guaranteed, but it's worth a shot!
Pro Tips:
- Monitor fuel price trends and seize price dips.
- Use fuel price comparison apps for real-time data on the cheapest stations and optimal fill-up times.
- Check ADAC's monthly price reports for broader insights, such as recent drops.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all best time or day to fill up—it's all about timing, awareness, and a bit of research! Happy driving and happy saving!
- Fuel Prices
- ADAC
- Mobility
- Fuel
- Super E10
- Diesel
- Munich
[1] ADAC. (n.d.). Fuel prices. Retrieved from https://www.adac.de/tankpreis-vergleich/tankpreise-heutigen-tag
[2] European Commission. (2021). Weekly oil market report: 9 May 2021. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/model-specialist-groups/weekly-oil-market-report-western-europe
[3] ADAC. (2022). Fuel prices: Monthly trend. Retrieved from https://www.adac.de/tankpreis-vergleich/karten
[4] ADAC. (2021). ADAC tanken – Petrol stations and prices in your area. Retrieved from https://www.adac.de/tanken/tankortung/
- To maximize savings on fuel, individuals should consider the community policy of filling up their tanks during off-peak hours, such as evenings, according to ADAC's analysis, which shows significant price differences between morning and evening fuel prices.
- In the realm of personal-finance, monitoring the employment policy of fuel industries can provide insights into fluctuations in fuel prices, as reported by ADAC in their monthly price reports.
- When making financial decisions related to transportation, it's essential to research the energy sectors' employment policies and the impact these policies may have on fuel prices, such as the impact of industry competition on pricing, as evidenced by the numerous price changes reported by the Federal Cartel Office.
