ADAC reports German highway fuel prices up to 50 cents per litre higher than off‑highway

The ADAC examined fuel prices at more than 14,000 German stations, including about 360 highway locations, using data from 6 to 19 April 2026. On average, gasoline (Super E10) and diesel were €0.33 per litre more expensive at highway pumps than at nearby off‑highway stations. The price gap reached up to €0.48‑€0.50 per litre in the most expensive regions.

Regional analysis showed the largest differentials in Rheinland‑Pfalz (≈ €0.42‑€0.43 per litre), followed by Bayern and Baden‑Württemberg. The smallest gaps were in Brandenburg and Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, where the premium was only about €0.17 per litre. For a typical 50‑litre tank this translates into a saving of €16‑20 when drivers exit the highway and refuel at a regular station.

The ADAC attributes the higher highway prices to convenience fees, expensive concessions and a higher willingness to pay by long‑distance drivers. In an accompanying survey, 63 % of motorists said they would avoid highway stations for cheaper fuel, 42 % even for a €0.10 per litre saving, while roughly one‑quarter would still pay the higher price.