Canberra motorists were paying more for petrol than their Sydney counterparts as the territory on Sunday recorded its highest average in the past 12 months.
The latest data by the Australian Institute of Petroleum shows Canberra's average unleaded price for the week ending April 11 was 140.4 cents per litre compared with Sydney's 139.5c/litre.
About this time last year, Canberra's average was 120.8c/litre.
On Monday, however, NRMA data showed Sydney's average price increasing to 147.5c/litre as it approaches the high point of its price cycle.
Peter Khoury, head of media for NRMA, said the 12-month high was reflective of global demand for oil rebounding from COVID-19.
"It hasn't moved for the past two days. We were certainly not expecting anything significant to happen in the ACT and that's clearly what's happened," Mr Khoury said.
"The gap between the cheapest and most expensive in Canberra is nine cents.
"It's hard to get people to shop around as you don't have real-time data as with NSW."
Mr Khoury said prices should remain relatively stable as oil prices remain stable in the next few weeks.
"During COVID, some prices were at a 16-20 year low as global demand for oil plummeted from the world economy shutting down," he said.
"As the world reopens, it's inevitable to see those prices rebound."
Mr Khoury said Sydney's price cycle should be considered when comparing it with Canberra.
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While it may be a 12-month high, Canberra is still cheaper compared with the country's average, which was 144.4c/litre for the week ending April 11.
Across the city as of Tuesday, the cheapest petrol according to MotorMouth can be found in Fyshwick: Metro Petroleum, BP and 7-Eleven. All are below 133.9c/litre.
Costco Majura is also below the 134c/litre mark.
Petrol stations in Gungahlin, Mitchell and Kambah have set their prices between 134c/litre and 139c/litre.
