Are Gas Prices Going Up Tomorrow? Ireland Fuel Forecast

Irish drivers faced relentless pump price swings through early 2026, with diesel averaging €2.14 per litre in April despite a fresh government tax cut. Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel amid geopolitical tensions, yet retailers warn of further increases ahead. Here’s where things stand and what to watch before you fill up tomorrow.

Latest Ireland petrol prices: Live updates via AA Ireland · Forecast for tomorrow: Possible 10% drop per community trackers · Upcoming rises warned: Further increases due to wholesale costs · Oil price jump: 5% amid European markets fall · Cheapest stations: Check Circle K, Applegreen, Maxol

Verified price data spans February through April 2026, drawing from AA Ireland surveys, national media reports, and independent trackers.

What are the future predictions for gas prices?

AA Ireland’s latest survey for April 2026 shows diesel averaging €2.14 per litre and petrol at €1.91 per litre — both up significantly from March. The government has intervened with a 10-cent-per-litre excise duty reduction effective from midnight on April 14, 2026, which should provide some relief at the pump, according to RTE’s reporting on the AA Ireland fuel price survey. Trading Economics meanwhile projects gasoline prices reaching 2.02 USD per litre by end of quarter, though such forecasts carry inherent uncertainty given global oil market volatility.

Short-term forecasts for tomorrow

The short-term picture is complicated. Social media posts and community trackers have suggested possible drops of at least 10% from tomorrow, but AA Ireland has not issued a specific forecast for April 21, 2026 pricing. What is clear is that pump prices remain volatile — AA Ireland notes that prices are moving above and below the €2 per litre mark on a daily basis for many drivers. The NORA levy pause, saving approximately 2c per litre on both petrol and diesel, adds another variable to tomorrow’s calculations.

2026 gas price outlook

Brent crude oil traded above $100 per barrel in March 2026 amid escalating Middle East tensions, a significant jump from the $70 range seen earlier. The Irish Times reported that fuel prices topping €2 per litre in March 2026 could mean an extra annual cost to households that hits €1,000. For diesel drivers specifically, the impact has been most acute — diesel averaged €1.90 per litre in March 2026, up 18 cents from February’s €1.72 per litre.

“While petrol prices have also risen, diesel drivers will feel the biggest impact at the pumps.”

— AA Ireland spokesperson, Irish Examiner

The implication is that diesel drivers should not expect lasting relief from the government’s intervention alone.

Is the price of gas likely to go up?

Despite recent government intervention, retailers through RTE have warned that further price rises are likely due to wholesale cost pressures. Fuel prices topped €2 per litre in March 2026 driven by Middle East conflict, with diesel hitting as high as €2.28 per litre in some areas, according to Irish Times coverage. The government’s 10c/L excise cut and NORA levy pause provide temporary relief, but underlying oil market dynamics remain tense.

Impact of Iran blockade

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including reported naval blockades involving Iran, have pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel — up sharply from the $70 range seen before the conflict escalated. Oil traded at $120 per barrel in March 2026 before the war intensified, according to RTE’s analysis of fuel increase costs. While Ireland doesn’t directly import Iranian oil, global supply chain anxiety ripples through all international benchmarks.

Wholesale cost increases

The wholesale market reflects the global tension. As of April 13, 2026, gasoline prices in Ireland stood at EUR 1.88 per litre according to GlobalPetrolPrices.com. Retailers have pointed to wholesale costs as the primary driver of their warnings for further increases, suggesting the government’s tax cuts may be absorbed rather than passed directly to consumers.

What this means: the government’s 10-cent excise cut may be swallowed by wholesale price increases before drivers see meaningful relief at the forecourt.

What day is gas cheapest?

Research from Kelley Blue Book indicates that fuel prices can vary by day of the week, with certain weekdays historically showing lower average pump prices. For Irish drivers, the pattern can shift depending on wholesale pricing cycles and station promotions, but weekdays generally offer better deals than weekend fill-ups. Checking prices on Tuesday through Thursday mornings often reveals lower rates before weekend demand drives prices up.

Kelley Blue Book study findings

American research has consistently found that Mondays tend to show the highest gas prices, while Wednesday and Thursday mornings often feature the lowest. The pattern relates to wholesale delivery schedules and station pricing algorithms. For Irish drivers, applying similar logic — avoiding Monday fill-ups and targeting mid-week mornings — could yield savings, though station-specific promotions can override the general trend.

Worst and best days to buy

Based on patterns observed across fuel markets, the worst times to fill up tend to be Friday afternoon through Sunday, when weekend leisure driving increases demand. The best windows appear to be Tuesday through Thursday, particularly in early morning hours before afternoon commuters boost demand. AA Ireland’s live tracker can help identify daily fluctuations, allowing drivers to time their fill-ups strategically.

“We are seeing increased volatility at the pumps, with prices moving above €2.00 per litre, particularly for diesel.”

— AA Ireland, AA Ireland Blog

The pattern: mid-week morning fill-ups align with lower demand cycles, but Irish drivers should verify daily prices rather than rely on historical patterns alone.

What time of day is best for buying fuel?

Time-of-day patterns for fuel prices mirror day-of-week trends, with morning hours generally showing lower prices before afternoon demand peaks. Early-morning fill-ups between 6am and 9am often catch overnight wholesale price updates before the day’s higher-traffic periods push prices up. For commuters with flexible schedules, morning purchases typically offer better rates than afternoon or evening fill-ups.

Morning vs night comparison

Fuel stations typically update their prices in the morning, based on overnight wholesale movements. Prices tend to be lower in the first few hours after opening, then rise through the day as demand increases. Evening fill-ups, particularly between 5pm and 8pm during rush hour, often coincide with daily price peaks. An RTE report on AA Ireland’s April survey notes that prices are moving above and below €2 daily, suggesting significant intraday volatility that timing-conscious drivers can exploit.

EV charging times

Unlike volatile fuel prices, EV charging costs have remained relatively stable. The April 2026 AA Ireland survey found that EV charging prices stayed unchanged month-on-month while petrol and diesel continued their rollercoaster. For EV owners, the stability of home or public charging rates — typically priced per kilowatt-hour rather than market fluctuations — represents a growing advantage over conventional fuel users facing uncertain pump prices.

The implication: morning fill-ups offer measurable savings, but the practical benefit only materializes if your schedule allows flexibility.

Who is the cheapest for gas in Ireland?

Major fuel retailers in Ireland operate across different pricing strategies. Circle K, Applegreen, and Maxol are among the most monitored chains, with AA Ireland and FuelWatch Ireland providing live price comparisons. While national averages show the overall picture, individual station prices can vary by 10–15 cents per litre across regions, making real-time comparison tools essential for finding the best deals near you.

Current Circle K prices

Circle K maintains stations nationwide with pricing that typically tracks close to the national average. Their app provides real-time fuel price updates across their Irish network. AA Ireland’s live pump price tracker includes Circle K locations alongside competitors, allowing drivers to compare prices at nearby stations before committing to a fill-up.

Applegreen and Maxol rates

Applegreen and Maxol both operate extensive networks across Ireland’s 32 counties. FuelWatch Ireland’s community tracker, monitoring over 1,500 stations nationwide, provides crowdsourced price data that can identify stations offering below-average rates. Maxol also publishes daily wholesale prices on their website, giving transparency into their pricing rationale.

Dublin petrol today

Dublin fuel prices often run slightly above national averages due to higher operating costs and demand density. As of mid-April 2026, Dublin petrol averaged around €1.91 per litre (AA April survey), with diesel slightly higher in some suburban areas. Urban commuters should check FuelWatch updates multiple times per day, as prices can shift multiple times before stabilizing.

“We are seeing increased volatility at the pumps, with prices moving above €2.00 per litre, particularly for diesel.”

— AA Ireland, AA Ireland Blog

What this means: no single retailer consistently undercuts the others — savings depend on real-time comparison rather than brand loyalty.