'Just chill': seven ways to beat the petrol price hike on your next road trip

Fuel prices are at the highest level on record but for those embarking on a road trip there are still savings to be made, say experts.

David Leaney, a lecturer in international supply chain management at the Australian National University, said the war in Iran is at the heart of the price hike.

About one-fifth of the world's fuel supply is affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for oil exports from Gulf countries.

But even if the conflict were resolved quickly, Mr Leaney warned supply chains could take months to stabilise.

"There's no quick fix - even in the best-case scenario, it could take two to five months for flows to return to normal," he said.

Despite this, Australia is not facing a true fuel shortage, he said.

Rather, panic buying and distribution issues due to floods and cyclones in parts of the country, are playing a larger role in local price spikes.

His message to Aussies?

"Chill," he said.

"We still have supply it is just expensive."

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told Explore while prices are high, there are still some savings to be found.

He urged road trippers not to fill up at the first service station they see.

"Price differences still exist," he said. "But they are narrower than in the past."

Using tools like the NRMA app or government fuel check websites can help drivers locate the cheapest fuel nearby, Mr Khoury said.

Data from the ACCC revealed that motorists who actively use price-checking apps save an average of $486 per year in cities like Perth and Adelaide.

In Sydney and Melbourne, regular app users still pocket an extra $330 to $407 annually just by avoiding the high points of the local price cycle.

If you've seen the news you'll know some petrol stations have run out of fuel.

Instead of making a redundant trip, Mr Khoury advised people to check first.

"If a station is listed on the app, it generally means it still has fuel available," he said.

Traditional fuel cycles - such as cheap Tuesday - have long gone.

Mr Khoury said there is no longer a reliable day of the week or time of the month to secure cheaper fuel, making real-time price checking more important than ever.

Speed matters.

That's the message from the federal government's Green Vehicle Guide which found driving at 110km/h can use up to 25 per cent more fuel than cruising at 90km/h.

It also advised avoiding harsh driving habits, such as acceleration and braking, which can place extra strain on the engine and increase consumption.

Minimising idling time - such as turning off the engine when stopped for more than a minute - can also cut unnecessary fuel use.

For those travelling, particularly towing a caravan, maintaining a buffer is critical.

Crusader Caravans chief executive Serge Valentino recommended never letting your tank drop below 50 per cent in remote areas.

"This provides a vital safety net if a planned stop is facing an outage or a price spike," he said.

Fuel savings aren't just about how you drive, they're also about how you plan your trip.

Thinking strategically can cut fuel costs dramatically.

Mr Valentino advised people to adopt a "basecamp" approach - setting up in one location and exploring nearby areas without towing a caravan or trailer, which can significantly cut fuel costs.

Staying longer in each destination and using solar or battery systems can also reduce the need for extra trips to powered sites, he said.