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Fuel cost comparator

French autoroute fuel stations price 8–18% higher than supermarkets. The trade-off: drive 20–30 km off the autoroute to a supermarket station, or just refuel at the aire (rest area) and pay extra? This calculator does the breakeven maths for you.

What this tool actually solves

French autoroute fuel stations are operated under concessions and are typically 8–18% above the local retail price. The break-even rule is usually: if the supermarket is more than 12–18 km from the autoroute, the fuel you burn on the detour cancels the saving. We use your consumption and the detour distance to compute the precise breakeven.

How to read the result

Three numbers: supermarket cost (fuel + detour burn), autoroute cost (full price at the aire), winner. If the supermarket total is lower, the detour is worth it. If higher, just refuel at the aire. The "advice" line tells you what is realistic.

Limitations

Supermarket station pricing is regional, not national. Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché and Système U each set their own pump price. Some coastal and mountain départements are 3–5 cents/L above the Île-de-France reference. The 12–18 km breakeven is a national average; the real one varies ±5 km.

FAQ

Are French petrol stations open on Sundays?
Most autoroute stations are 24/7. Off-autoroute stations must close on Sundays by law (except in tourism areas where the préfet can grant Sunday opening). Many supermarkets' stations are still closed Sunday morning even if the supermarket itself is open.
Which supermarkets have the cheapest fuel?
E.Leclerc and Système U are typically the cheapest. Carrefour and Intermarché follow. The biggest gaps between supermarket and autoroute are along A7 (south Rhône valley) and A10 (Paris–Bordeaux). The smallest gaps: A1 (Paris–Lille) and A4 (Paris–Strasbourg).

About

1 of 38 tools in France Trip Toolkit. Independent, no affiliation with Total, Esso, Carrefour, Leclerc, Intermarché or Système U.

Privacy

No tracking. All math runs in your browser.

Disclaimer

Estimate only. Real pump prices vary day by day and station by station. Check prix-carburants.gouv.fr for the official daily reference.