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Saudi Arabia Fuel Prices 2026 — The Complete Guide
Saudi Arabia has some of the lowest petrol prices in the world, but the price is no longer the giveaway it used to be. Since the 2018 fuel-subsidy reform, prices are updated quarterly by Aramco and have risen significantly. As of 2026, Petrol 91 is around SAR 1.33 per litre, Petrol 95 around SAR 1.59, and Diesel around SAR 0.69. With the average expat driving 18,000–25,000 km a year and most cars consuming 8–12 litres per 100 km, fuel quickly becomes the second-biggest car expense after the loan instalment.
How this calculator works
Three numbers drive your fuel cost: the distance you drive, your car's average consumption in litres per 100 km, and the price of the fuel you use. The formula is simple but worth understanding so you can spot wrong figures from a dealer:
Worked example: A daily commute from Al-Khobar to Dammam is roughly 30 km one way, so 60 km round-trip, or 1,320 km per month (22 working days). If you drive a Toyota Hilux (consumption ~12 L/100 km on Petrol 91), the monthly fuel cost is (1,320 ÷ 100) × 12 × 1.33 = SAR 210.67. Switch to a Camry (8 L/100 km, Petrol 95) and the same commute costs (1,320 ÷ 100) × 8 × 1.59 = SAR 167.90 — a saving of SAR 43 a month, or SAR 515 a year.
Petrol 91 vs Petrol 95 — which one is right for your car?
Almost every economy car sold in Saudi Arabia (Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Cerato, most pickups) is engineered to run on Petrol 91. Premium and turbocharged engines (Lexus IS, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Ford Mustang) typically require Petrol 95 — using 91 in these cars over time causes engine knocking and can void the warranty. Check your fuel-filler cap or owner's manual; the recommendation is always printed there. Filling Petrol 95 in a car designed for 91 wastes about 20% extra per litre with no performance gain.
Diesel — for trucks, SUVs and fleet vehicles
Diesel in Saudi Arabia (SAR 0.69 in 2026) is significantly cheaper than petrol — about half the price of Petrol 95. That makes diesel attractive for heavy SUVs (Land Cruiser, Patrol, Pajero diesel variants), pickups used for work, and fleet vehicles. The catch: diesel cars are typically 10–15% more expensive to buy and require slightly more expensive servicing (oil changes, particulate filter cleaning). For a vehicle covering more than 25,000 km a year, diesel almost always works out cheaper overall.
Five ways to cut your monthly fuel bill in KSA
- Keep tyre pressure correct. Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%. Check pressure monthly — most Aramco stations offer free air.
- Use cruise control on highways. Steady speed beats fluctuating speed for fuel economy by 5–10% on the Riyadh–Dammam or Jeddah–Makkah routes.
- Avoid the morning idle. Letting your car idle for 5 minutes in the parking lot before driving wastes around 0.1 L per minute. Modern cars don't need warming up.
- Plan trips together. Five short trips of 5 km each use about 30% more fuel than one 25 km loop, because the engine spends more time warming up.
- Service on schedule. A dirty air filter alone can drop your fuel economy by 5–8%. Standard service every 10,000 km is the cheapest insurance against fuel waste.
When does Aramco change fuel prices?
Aramco reviews and publishes domestic fuel prices on the 10th of every month, with changes taking effect from the 11th. The price is set based on a formula that tracks the international benchmark price (Brent crude) over the previous month, adjusted by a Saudi-specific regulatory factor. Major monthly changes — up or down by more than SAR 0.05 per litre — are announced on Aramco's official site and reported in Al-Eqtisadiah, Arab News and Saudi Gazette. Always recalculate your monthly fuel budget on the 11th to stay accurate.
Frequently asked questions
Is fuel cheaper at certain stations in Saudi Arabia?
No. Fuel prices in Saudi Arabia are regulated by Aramco and identical across all stations — Aramco, Sasco, Aldrees, Petromin and others must all charge the same official price. Stations cannot offer discounts on the fuel itself; any "discounts" are usually loyalty points or free car-wash bundles.
Can I pay for fuel with mada, Apple Pay or STC Pay?
Yes — virtually all manned Aramco, Sasco and Aldrees stations accept mada cards, contactless Apple Pay, Google Pay and STC Pay at the pump or pay-counter. Some stations now have fully automated mada-only pumps where you pay first and the pump dispenses the amount you paid for.
Why does my car use more fuel in summer?
Two reasons. First, air conditioning at full blast on a 45°C day can add 15–20% to your fuel consumption. Second, hot fuel is slightly less dense, so you get marginally less energy per litre. The biggest factor is the A/C load — driving with the windows down at low speed actually saves fuel, but at highway speeds the aerodynamic drag costs more than running the A/C.
Is there VAT on fuel in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The 15% VAT is already included in the displayed pump price — you don't see it added separately. So if the pump shows SAR 1.59/litre for Petrol 95, the pre-VAT price is SAR 1.38 and SAR 0.21 is VAT going to ZATCA.
How do I claim fuel as a business expense?
VAT-registered businesses can claim the VAT portion of fuel costs as input tax, provided the fuel is used for business purposes and you have a proper VAT invoice from the station. Keep all pump receipts and request a tax invoice from the attendant if the receipt doesn't show your company's VAT number.
Related Saudi Utility Hub tools
Plan the full cost of your car, not just the fuel:
- Car Finance Calculator — monthly instalment + total cost of ownership for any car
- Traffic Fine Calculator — all Saudi traffic fines + 25% Absher discount
- VAT Calculator — add or remove 15% Saudi VAT
- Salary Calculator — see if your current salary covers car ownership
Official sources
- Aramco.com — official monthly fuel price announcements
- ZATCA — VAT rules on fuel purchases for businesses
Last updated: May 2026. Aramco reviews fuel prices on the 10th of each month — recalculate after price changes.