If you're planning a road trip from Germany, you can save yourself some money by being strategic about where you fuel up. Especially if you'll be crossing international boundaries, it's worth taking a moment to consider refuelling before or after certain borders.
Price differences across Europe are primarily the result of different taxes and duties. Fluctuations in oil prices, on the other hand, usually affect all countries.
Here's an overview of where drivers coming from Germany can save the most on fuel, depending on where you're going -- according to recent fuel price data from the EU Commission.
Heading south
Gasoline in Austria is 22 cents cheaper than in Germany on average, and diesel fuel is six cents cheaper. So it's generally better to refill your tank on the other side of the border.
However, if you're merely passing through Austria on the way, the most cost effective place to refuel depends on your destination: in Italy, fuel is more expensive than in Austria, but in Slovenia, Croatia or Hungary it's cheaper.
In Slovakia, gasoline and diesel are slightly cheaper than in Austria.
Switzerland is not a cheap country for refuelling. There are no figures from the EU Commission, but according to information from the Touring Club Switzerland, fuel is more expensive there than in Germany, Italy or France.
Any diesel drivers with plans to cross Switzerland to Italy would be advised to fill up the tank before leaving Germany, because diesel is cheaper in Germany than either of the other countries.
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Heading west
Fuel in France is almost on a par with Germany. But if you're driving through to Spain, you can save significantly by holding off on your refill until then.
Belgium has significantly cheaper gasoline - by 16 cents per litre - but diesel is 7 cents more expensive than in Germany. In the Netherlands, it is 17 and 7 cents more expensive than in Germany, respectively.
Luxembourg has the cheapest fuel in the West, with gasoline that is 24 cents less than in Germany and diesel that is 16 cents less.
To the East
If you're headed eastward, you'll naturally benefit from some of the cheapest gasoline prices within driving distance of Germany.
In both Poland and the Czech Republic, drivers can save around 35 cents per litre. Diesel is also cheaper here, at about 18 and 22 cents less, respectively.
Continuing in the direction of the Baltic States, fuel is still cheaper than in Germany, but more expensive than in Poland. The same is true in Hungary or Slovakia in comparison with the Czech Republic. In all these cases, you can save a bit on your return journey by topping up before the border before entering Poland or the Czech Republic.
Northbound
If you're headed to Denmark, it's cheaper to fill up beforehand. Premium gasoline is 23 cents more expensive there than in Germany, and diesel is 14 cents more.
If you continue on to Sweden, however, fuel becomes cheaper: Super is 28 cents cheaper there than in Germany, and diesel is 9 cents less.
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Other tips
Prices also vary between individual petrol stations, and depending on the time, region and whether you fill up on the motorway or a country road. Also, differences between countries are often lower directly before and after the border.
Generally, you are better off refuelling late in the evening, or at least outside commuter hours. You might consider filling up the evening before departure when fuel tends to be a few cents cheaper than in the morning, for instance.
Planning your fuel stops for strategic points on your route may help you save a bit on transport costs, but driving out of your way for cheaper gas usually won't.
With reporting by DPA.
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