UK road users are being warned to avoid filling up their tanks from Friday as fuel prices could rise due to increased travel demand.

RAC believes there are nearly 21 million leisure journeys planned over the Easter period, one of the busiest Easter getaways since 2022.

The increased demand for fuel and constrained supply as a result of the Middle East conflict has caused prices to surge. RAC is now warning that the price of fuel could rise futher. The average price of petrol has risen 20p since the start of the Iran conflict, according to RAC.

Iran has closed one of the world's key oil trade routes in retaliation to joint US-Israeli strikes carried out on key sites across the country since February 28.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one fifth of all global oil traded passes, has been a contentious point in the conflict. Oil tankers have regularly been the target of Iranian attacks in the strait, sparking widespread panic over the future of global oil supply.

Drivers are being warned to avoid filling up at peak times this week as fuel prices show signs of rising again ahead of increased travel demand over the bank holiday weekend.

Fuel experts say prices often edge higher towards the end of the week as more motorists hit the roads, particularly in the days leading up to busy periods like Easter.

"RAC analysis of wholesale fuel data points towards the price of petrol potentially stabilising if the cost of oil doesn't increase further, although diesel still looks likely to rise," said RAC head of policy, Simon Williams.

He added that motorists may save money by filling up earlier in the week or at quieter times of day, as forecourts respond to changing demand.