South Australia Fuel Prices Buck the National Trend as Adelaide Motorists Get a Break

Here is a statistic worth noting: while diesel prices across New South Wales surged more than 20 cents per litre overnight, South Australia recorded a 4 cent decrease. That kind of divergence across state lines is unusual, and the data from 14th Mar 2026 tells an interesting story about where Australian motorists are getting value and where they are not.

SA Moves Against the Grain

The numbers tell an interesting story for Adelaide and regional South Australia motorists. Diesel across the state has dropped to an average of 261.8 cents per litre, down from 265.8 cents the day prior. That 1.5 per cent decrease might seem modest, but context matters. At the same time, NSW diesel climbed 20.3 cents to 265.7 cents, Victoria increased 5 cents to 265.2 cents, and Queensland rose 5.2 cents to 268.1 cents.

South Australia's price spread is also notably tight at just 15.9 cents, ranging from 254.0 to 269.9 cents. Compare that to Victoria where the spread sits at a substantial 221 cents, or NSW at 108 cents. For SA motorists, this means less guesswork when choosing a servo. Prices are relatively consistent regardless of where you fill up.

Queensland Claims the Unwanted Crown

Queensland currently holds the most expensive average diesel price on the mainland at 268.1 cents per litre, up 5.2 cents. But the real standout is the maximum price recorded in the state: 360.0 cents per litre. That is a full 106 cents above the cheapest QLD diesel at 253.9 cents. For Brisbane motorists and those travelling through regional Queensland, shopping around could mean the difference between paying $1.80 and $2.52 to fill a 70 litre tank at the cheaper end versus more than $2.50 at the expensive end.

The analysis reveals that Queensland's price spread of 106.1 cents is among the widest in the country, second only to the Northern Territory at 251.7 cents (where remote community pricing pushes the maximum to 399.0 cents per litre).

Where to Find Value Right Now

A closer analysis of suburb level data shows some notable opportunities. In Victoria, Sunbury is recording diesel at 185.0 cents across seven stations, making it the cheapest diesel suburb in the country right now. Campbellfield and Truganina are also offering competitive pricing from 199.9 cents, though their averages sit higher at 252.1 and 256.4 cents respectively.

In Western Australia, Kununurra has diesel from 199.5 cents, while Forrestdale starts at 237.9 cents. Perth metro suburbs like Picton and Bibra Lake are averaging around 255 to 259 cents.

For Tasmania, Smithton and Triabunna are recording prices from 189.9 and 191.9 cents respectively, though average prices in both towns sit considerably higher, indicating that only select servos are offering those lower prices.

The National Picture

Looking at state averages side by side, the data indicates a clear ranking has emerged:

This represents a notable shift from earlier in the week. NSW has jumped from one of the more competitive states to sitting above the national midpoint after that 20.3 cent overnight increase. Meanwhile, South Australia has quietly moved into the second cheapest position on the mainland.

What This Means for Motorists

Statistically speaking, motorists in South Australia are in a favourable position this weekend. With consistent pricing and a downward trend running counter to the national direction, SA drivers can fill up with reasonable confidence they are getting fair value.

For those in states where prices have climbed sharply, particularly NSW, the data suggests waiting a day or two if possible. Sharp overnight increases of 20 cents often signal the beginning of a price cycle peak, and prices may ease back in the coming days.

The numbers are clear: location matters more than ever. A difference of 175 cents separates the cheapest diesel in Australia (Sunbury at 185.0 cents) from the most expensive (remote NT at 399.0 cents). Even within metro areas, checking prices before filling up could save motorists $10 to $15 per tank.