Fuel costs pricing drivers off the road

More than a third of households are thinking twice about staycations this year as a result of surging fuel costs.

This is according to Auto Trader research, which surveyed 2,400 users of its online marketplace found that 38% were less likely to choose a UK holiday this year – with almost nine in 10 respondents, blaming the decision on the rising cost of fuel.

The shift in attitude towards holidaying in the UK comes despite the travel chaos faced by millions of holidaymakers seeking overseas getaways at under-staffed airports during the Easter holidays.

More than half of those still planning staycations, or 51%, plan to holiday closer to home due to the price of fuel, while 52% are planning fewer staycations by car because of the rising financial pressure. Nearly a third, or 29%, are also less likely to embark on foreign driving holidays, the survey found.

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic triggered a staycation boom, but it looks like being short-lived as foreign destinations reopen to travellers and drivers face the harsh reality of rising petrol and diesel costs for journeys at home.

“It is little wonder that would-be staycationers are thinking twice about embarking on lengthy road trips when it costs around £90 to fill the tank of a typical family car. This inflationary pressure is squeezing budgets across the entire economy and next March the Chancellor will be clawing back the temporary respite on fuel duty.”