Half of Britain's drivers refuel their car at least once a week

New research from moneyexpert.com reveals Britons’ love affair with driving with more than half of all motorists (55%) filling up their cars once a week and 17% of motorists clock up enough miles that they need to refuel on average twice a week.

And to add to the fuel bills motorists shopping around for the best deals are spending £677 million a year just driving to petrol stations, the study by MoneyExpert.com, which is launching a unique petrol giveaway while stocks last through sister site mightydeals.co.uk, shows.

Its research shows the average motorist who makes a special trip to refuel drives 4.4 miles every time with around 57% of drivers – equivalent to 19.49 million people – saying they go out of their way for the best deal. Around one in twenty (5%) motorists, spend an estimated £1.52 on petrol a time driving at least ten miles to refuel.

MoneyExpert.com is launching a major promotion while stocks last for drivers enabling them to secure £20 of petrol from Shell garages for just £10. Running from the 22nd May to the 28th May - or until stocks last - motorists can secure a fantastic discount by purchasing the deal from mightydeals.co.uk. Drivers who buy the deal before it runs out will be issued with a Shell Drivers Club Card with £20 worth of preloaded points.

Its research shows the pressure on drivers - more than a third (35%) refuel once a week, with a further 31% of drivers visiting the pump on average every two weeks. The research even found that 3% of drivers clock up so many miles they refill every day.

Drivers are very loyal - one in ten (9%) motorists always purchases fuel from the same retailer and a further 48% do so whenever possible. Drivers have a dedicated refuelling strategy, reminiscent of an F1 team, as almost a third (30%) of motorists always shops around for the best price. Just one in ten (12%) drivers fills up at the nearest garage as and when they need more fuel.

Mike Rowe, Chief Operations Officer, at MoneyExpert.com said: “Britons’ love affair with the automobile shows no sign of abating. Drivers clock up hundreds of miles a week on the roads and consequently spend considerable money at the pump filling up their vehicles. However, motorists should be careful they don’t use more money in petrol driving around in search of the best deal than they save by finding a pump with a few pennies off per litre.”

“We are delighted to promote such a fantastic offer that will help ease the burden on the hard pressed motorist. Many families find fuel costs are one of their biggest costs so our offer will help keep the pounds in their pockets.”

Drivers in London (6%) are the most likely to fill their petrol tank every day. Motorists in Northern Ireland are the least likely to fill their cars on a daily basis, preferring to take a weekly trip to the garage (55%).