'It's ridiculous': Canberra drivers hunt for cheap fuel as prices surge past $2.40

The price of petrol and diesel has skyrocketed over a four-day period in the ACT following the end of the federal government's fuel excise discount on Sunday.

While some drivers were shocked by the figures on the bowser, others travelled across the city to find the cheapest pumps.

Phil Morris had been recovering from pneumonia, but on Wednesday he took his 1973 Holden HQ out for a refill.

"The bowser kept climbing past $100," the 74-year-old motor mechanic from Hackett told The Canberra Times at the BP service station on the Federal Highway in Watson.

Drivers lined up at a fuel station in Fyshwick which was one of the only two outlets in Canberra that sold U91 petrol for less than $2 on Wednesday. Picture by Petlee Peter

"I usually fill up for just over $80 but today it was $130. It's ridiculous," he said, after filling up with unleaded 98 petrol at more than $2.43 a litre.

According to real-time fuel price app PetrolSpy, the North Canberra outlet recorded the day's highest price for premium diesel.

Motor mechanic Phil Morris from Hackett felt the fuel price rise in Canberra within four days was "ridiculous." Picture by Petlee Peter

Sydney truck driver Kamal Singh made a pit stop at the Watson outlet on his way to Braidwood and was shocked to see premium diesel priced at $2.59 a litre.

"The price was way lower last week and now it has surged in just days. It's very hard for truckers. We feel the pinch as there is no change in our pay even when the diesel cost increases," said Mr Singh, who was hauling a load of pipes in his Volvo truck.

Truckie Kamal Singh from Sydney who refuelled in Canberra on Wednesday said the sudden increase in diesel price has eaten into his pay for the job. Picture by Petlee Peter

With rising fuel costs biting into everyday household budgets, some Canberra drivers were forced to travel extra distances for a deal.

According to the NSW government's FuelCheck app, Metro Petroleum in Fyshwick and Costco at Majura Park offered the cheapest petrol of the day. They were the only two outlets in Canberra selling the most popular unleaded 91 for under $2 a litre.

The lowest price for petrol in Fyshwick saw many motorist drive the distance to fill their tanks. Fuel prices are likely to increase in coming days. Picture by Petlee Peter

"I knew this outlet had the cheapest fuel," said Fisher resident Ruth Moore after filling up her Kia hatchback at the Metro station on Barrier Street for $1.99 a litre.

"I understand the price rise is due to the situation in the Middle East, but I'm considering getting an EV. It's eco-friendly and dependable," Ms Moore said.

Drivers lined up at a fuel station in Fyshwick which was one of the only two outlets in Canberra that sold U91 petrol for less than $2 on Wednesday. Picture by Petlee Peter

With the fuel excise discount now lifted, Canberra drivers are expected to face higher prices at the bowser in the coming days.