Lithuania faces high fuel prices and declining road infrastructure funding

Fuel prices in Lithuania remain significantly higher than in neighboring Poland. As of October 12, the average price for gasoline in Lithuania was 1.914 EUR per liter, while diesel reached 2.20 EUR per liter. In comparison, gasoline in Poland averaged 1.57 EUR and diesel 1.799 EUR. For a 50-liter tank, Lithuanian drivers pay approximately 17.20 EUR more for gasoline and 20.05 EUR more for diesel than those in Poland.

Simultaneously, Lithuania faces challenges regarding road infrastructure and funding. The association ‘Lietuvos keliai’ reports that poor road conditions cost drivers and businesses approximately 316 million EUR annually due to increased maintenance, fuel consumption, and lost time. Currently, about 41 percent of state-importance roads are in poor condition.

Despite these costs, the 2027 state budget project proposes reducing total road funding by more than 66 million EUR compared to the current year. While fuel excise revenues have increased, officials warn that the rate of road renewal is being outpaced by deterioration, with the proportion of poor-quality roads potentially rising to 70 percent over the next decade if current trends continue.