Filling up your tank in Germany just got even more about timing! According to the German Automobile Club (ADAC), the price difference between morning and evening fuel has almost doubled in the past year, reaching record highs.
For Super E10 gasoline, you'll see a price swing of 12.5 cents per liter on an average day. Diesel drivers face an even bigger difference, at 13.3 cents per liter. This is significantly up from last year's differences of 6.4 cents for gasoline and 7.3 cents for diesel.
The ADAC's insights are based on a comprehensive analysis conducted in May 2024, which involved tracking prices at more than 14,000 gas stations across Germany. This extensive data collection allows the automobile club to accurately identify daily price fluctuations and long-term trends, providing reliable guidance for drivers. The ADAC has a long history of monitoring fuel prices, even recording a record difference for diesel prices of 16 cents in 2022, a period marked by sharp price increases following geopolitical events.
So, what's the best time to hit the gas station? The ADAC's study clearly shows that the cheapest times to fill up are between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. You can also find good prices between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Conversely, the most expensive time to fill up is shortly after 7:00 a.m. Prices then gradually drop throughout the day in several waves, only to rise slightly around 11:00 p.m. and stay just above the daily average overnight before that steep morning climb.
By simply adjusting your fueling habits, you can tap into this "full savings potential." The ADAC estimates that drivers can save an average of over six euros on a 50-liter tank by choosing the cheaper evening hours. This recommendation applies to most gas stations across Germany, offering a simple way to save money on your daily commute or next road trip.
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