Rising gasoline and diesel prices are causing discontent at gas stations.Image: KEYSTONE
Prices at gas stations continue to rise, and many drivers are now looking for the cheapest gas pump in the region. Why do prices vary so much regionally and when is it even worth taking a detour to get cheap fuel?
Mar 13, 2026, 12:24 p.mMar 13, 2026, 12:41 p.m
The war in the Middle East is having a strong impact on the price of gasoline and diesel, including in Switzerland. An evaluation of the Price radars of the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) shows: Nine out of ten Swiss gas stations have already increased their prices. When fuel costs rise, many drivers start looking for the cheapest gas stations in the region.
An interactive map from TCS shows where it is currently cheapest to fill up, and the price range is enormous. Everything is available between 1.21 francs per liter of unleaded 95 in Samnaun in the canton of Graubünden and 2.40 francs in the city of Zurich. But why do prices fluctuate so much locally and at what point is it even worth chasing cheap fuel?
That’s why there are massive price differences
Basically, the price of diesel and gasoline is made up of the transport and storage costs incurred, the government taxes on them and the price of the raw material on the Rotterdam stock exchange. The global security situation has a strong influence on the stock market and transport costs.
However, the fact that the supply varies so greatly within Switzerland is explained by the fact that there is no fixed petrol price. This means that the gas stations can set their own prices and determine their margins in the spirit of the free market. Smaller, independent gas stations are usually cheaper because they purchase fuel directly from the providers and do not have to buy through intermediaries like a gas station operator across the street explained to the SRF.
TCS advises against tank tourism
But is it actually worth taking a detour to get cheaper gas prices? When it comes to this question, the TCS refers to a simple rule: Three-five rule. This states that a detour of five kilometers is only worthwhile if the savings are more than five centimes per liter when filling up the tank with 50 liters. If this is not the case, the time required combined with the fuel consumption for the journey is not worth it.
The Swiss Automobile Club advises against taking additional detours in order to refuel cheaply. Instead, it makes sense to monitor prices and combine refueling in attractively priced locations with trips that you have to make anyway. (July)