Unleaded petrol was expected to leap to an average of 122p a litre, breaking May’s record of 121.61p.
Some independents, like the Texaco garage on Stafford Road, Wolverhampton were today forced to raise their prices to 123.9p for unleaded and 127.9p for diesel.
The AA predicts prices will hit 124p a litre in 2011 as the VAT rate goes up 2.5 per cent, to 20 per cent.
Some motorway service stations already charge 128p a litre.
Diesel will go from 125.5p to 126p a litre. The record high is 133.25p, set in July 2008.
AA President Edmund King said: “There is a growing feeling of helplessness among drivers with winter travel disruption and ever-rising fuel costs.”
The AA has accused oil giants and fuel retailers of ‘profiteering’, an allegation they deny.
At the beginning of 2010 petrol averaged 109.88p a litre and since then has risen 11.68p a litre.
It means drivers are paying £5.84 to fill their tanks. And the extra monthly cost of petrol for a two-car family is now £24.80.
Mr King said that in the past week the average price of petrol has shot up 1.7p a litre across the UK and diesel by 1.61p.
“It comes at a particularly bad time for drivers who have struggled with appalling winter weather and often seen their fuel drain away while stuck in snow-bound traffic jams.
“If current prices persist, the new year increase in fuel duty and VAT will push petrol prices up to 124p a litre.”
The petrol price increases come after winter weather brought chaos to Britain’s roads
He added: “Our only hope is that either oil and fuel markets settle back down or the pound strengthens against the dollar. Until then, it is an even more uncomfortable ride for families trying to keep their cars on the road.”
Adrian Tink, RAC motoring strategist, added: “It’s unbelievable to think, compared to last year, petrol is 13p per per litre more expensive. That’s over £7 more every time you fill up.”
