Melbourne Fuel Price Trends This Week
Week of 4 May 2026
Melbourne unleaded prices fell 3.7¢/L this week to average 179.4¢/L. The market is currently in the trough phase of the weekly cycle — day 3 of an average 7-day pattern. Data covers 312 tracked stations across 187 Melbourne suburbs.
179.4¢
Avg unleaded
fell 3.7¢ vs last wk
186.1¢
Avg diesel
Across all suburbs
33.8¢
Metro spread
Cheapest vs priciest
Trough
Cycle phase
Day 3 of cycle
Day-by-Day Cycle Position
Typical price pattern for a Melbourne weekly cycle. Best days to fill up are highlighted.
| Day | Avg ULP | Avg Diesel | Phase | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 187.2¢ | 193.5¢ | Falling | Wait |
| Tuesday | 175.6¢ | 189.1¢ | Trough | Fill up |
| Wednesday | 173.2¢ | 187.8¢ | Trough | Fill up |
| Thursday | 179.8¢ | 190.2¢ | Rising | Top up |
| Friday | 194.5¢ | 194.8¢ | Peak | Avoid |
| Saturday | 204.1¢ | 197.3¢ | Peak | Avoid |
| Sunday | 199.7¢ | 196.1¢ | Falling | Wait |
Prices are Melbourne-wide averages. Read the full timing guide →
Fuel Type Comparison This Week
Week-on-week and month-on-month movements across all major fuel grades.
| Fuel type | Avg ¢/L | Week ∆ | Month ∆ | Best day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unleaded (91) | 179.4¢ | -3.7¢ | -1.2¢ | |
| E10 Ethanol | 175.2¢ | -3.5¢ | -0.9¢ | |
| Diesel | 186.1¢ | -1.4¢ | +0.8¢ | |
| Premium (98 RON) | 196.8¢ | -2.9¢ | -0.4¢ |
Cheapest Suburbs This Week
Most Expensive Suburbs This Week
This Week in Melbourne Fuel — Cite These Stats
Published 5 May 2026 · Free to cite with attribution
179.4¢
Metro avg ULP
Week of 4 May 2026
165.9¢
Cheapest suburb
Dandenong
33.8¢
Metro spread
Cheapest vs priciest
312
Stations tracked
187 suburbs
Citation text
Melbourne average unleaded prices fell 3.7¢/L this week (Week of 4 May 2026), averaging 179.4¢/L across 312 tracked stations. The cheapest suburb was Dandenong at 165.9¢/L, while Toorak remained the most expensive at 199.7¢/L. Source: PetrolPricesNearMe.com.au
Source: https://petrolpricesnearme.com.au/reports/weekly-fuel-trends
Week of 4 May 2026 — Market Analysis
Melbourne unleaded prices are currently in the trough phase of the weekly cycle, having fell 3.7¢/L compared to last week. The metro-wide average of 179.4¢/L masks a significant 33.8¢ spread between the cheapest and most expensive suburbs — a reminder that location matters as much as timing for Melbourne fuel buyers.
Outer-growth suburbs continue to lead on price, with Dandenong holding the metro-low at 165.9¢/L this week. The pattern reflects sustained competition from new entrants in Melbourne's south-east and west corridors. Inner-ring suburbs, by contrast, carry convenience premiums that persist even during trough periods — Toorak at 199.7¢/L is currently 33.8¢ above the metro low.
Diesel held a 6.7¢ premium above unleaded, broadly in line with the historical Melbourne diesel spread. Premium 98 RON averaged 196.8¢/L — a 17.4¢ premium above regular unleaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest petrol suburb in Melbourne this week?+
Dandenong leads Melbourne this week at 165.9¢/L for unleaded. Outer south-east and western growth corridors — Dandenong, Werribee, Cranbourne, Point Cook — consistently offer the lowest prices due to higher competition density and lower operating costs.
When is the best time to buy petrol in Melbourne?+
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are typically the best time to fill up in Melbourne. The weekly price cycle drops sharply from Sunday night through early Wednesday before rising toward Friday and Saturday peaks. A full tank on Wednesday can save 25–30¢/L compared to a Saturday fill.
Why are inner-city Melbourne suburbs more expensive for petrol?+
Inner-suburb servos carry higher land, rental, and operating costs, which translate into higher required retail margins. They also face less price competition per kilometre, meaning operators don't need to match outer-suburb pricing to maintain volume. A convenience premium of 15–30¢/L above outer suburbs is structurally normal in Melbourne's inner ring.
How often is this weekly report updated?+
This weekly fuel trends report refreshes every hour from live station price data. The current data covers 312 stations and 4,840 price observations from the Week of 4 May 2026.