South Australia Quietly Becomes the Cheapest State for Diesel While Victoria Burns Through Motorists Wallets

South Australia Quietly Becomes the Cheapest State for Diesel While Victoria Burns Through Motorists Wallets

This week's fuel price data uncovers a story that most motorists probably haven't noticed. While the national spotlight has been on dramatic price swings in the eastern states, South Australia has quietly positioned itself as the most affordable state in the country for diesel, and the numbers deserve a closer look.

As of 6th February 2026, South Australia's average diesel price sits at 177.4 cents per litre across 142 stations. That might not sound remarkable on its own, but when you compare it to Victoria at 181.6 cents, New South Wales at 181.9 cents, and Western Australia at 180.6 cents, the picture becomes clearer. South Australian motorists are paying between 3 and 4.5 cents less per litre than drivers in these larger states.

What makes this even more interesting is the price spread. South Australia's diesel ranges from 164.9 cents at the cheapest servo to 202.9 cents at the most expensive, a spread of just 38 cents. Compare that to Victoria's staggering 102.1 cent spread or NSW's 115 cent gap, and it raises some interesting questions about pricing consistency and competition.

Adelaide and Regional SA Deliver Consistent Value

The tight spread in South Australia suggests genuine pricing competition that keeps servos honest. When the gap between cheapest and most expensive is only 38 cents compared to triple figures elsewhere, operators simply can't get away with charging outrageous premiums.

A diesel driver filling a 60 litre tank in South Australia saves roughly $2.50 compared to Melbourne and close to $3 compared to Sydney. Over a year of weekly fill ups, that adds up to over $150.

Victoria's Regional Towns Bear the Brunt

The contrast with Victoria is stark. Digging deeper into the numbers, regional Victorian towns have been hit with substantial price increases this week that motorists should be aware of.

Bendigo diesel has jumped a notable 18.4 cents to 181.3 cents per litre, up from 162.9 cents. That is the single biggest price movement in the country right now. Traralgon is up 13.8 cents to 178.7 cents, while Mildura has seen diesel climb 11.4 cents to 177.3 cents. Even Ararat copped a 10.5 cent increase, now sitting at 177 cents.

Shepparton premium diesel has risen 10.7 cents and Wodonga diesel is up 8.6 cents to 188.5 cents. These are not small movements, and they are hitting regional communities that often have fewer options to shop around.

The question worth investigating is why these regional Victorian towns are facing double digit increases while the broader market remains relatively stable. Wholesale price movements don't fully explain location specific spikes of this magnitude.

Some Bright Spots in the Melbourne Suburbs

Not all Victorian news is bad. Coburg has bucked the trend with diesel dropping 10.2 cents to 176.7 cents, and Seaford is down 9.2 cents to 174.7 cents. Motorists in these suburbs should take advantage while the lower prices last.

Warrnambool deserves a special mention with its cheapest diesel at just 147.9 cents per litre, the lowest price recorded anywhere in Victoria today. However, even within Warrnambool the spread is 29 cents, so shopping around remains essential.

The National Picture

The state by state rankings for diesel affordability today: South Australia leads at 177.4 cents, followed by Queensland at 177.6 cents, Western Australia at 180.6 cents, Victoria at 181.6 cents, and NSW at 181.9 cents. Tasmania sits higher at 185.9 cents, while the Northern Territory remains the most expensive at 235.4 cents average.

The NT figure warrants scrutiny. With prices ranging from 150 cents to an eye watering 395 cents per litre, the 245 cent spread is the widest in the country by a massive margin. Remote communities continue to bear an unfair burden, and that is a conversation that needs more attention.

What Motorists Should Do

For South Australian drivers, the message is simple: you're getting a good deal right now, but don't become complacent. Check prices before filling up and keep servos competitive by rewarding the cheaper operators with your business.

For Victorian motorists, particularly those in regional areas facing double digit increases, use tools like our interactive fuel map to compare prices across your local servos. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive station in towns like Bendigo or Thomastown can easily exceed 25 cents per litre.

Armed with this information, motorists can make informed decisions and avoid paying more than necessary. The data doesn't lie, but it does require someone to look closely enough to spot the patterns.