Conwy drivers are paying the second highest prices in the UK for fuel according to new data. 

Refuelling at a petrol station in Conwy will cost you almost 10p per litre (ppl) more for diesel and over 7p per litre more for unleaded than the Welsh average. The data from Fleet News also shows that across the UK only Dumfriesshire in Scotland is a more expensive place to fill your tank.

But how serious is the problem for Conwy's road users?

Taking a 45 litre fuel tank found on many small cars, filling up in Conwy will cost a driver £73.63 for diesel and £69.99 for unleaded. If you need to fill up weekly, a diesel drivers could face a bill of £3,828.76 while unleaded costs could be £3,639.48 per year.

Neighbouring Anglesey by contrast is the cheapest county in Wales, with drivers spending just 147.04ppl on diesel and 142.84ppl on unleaded. Based on the same calculations that means the same 45 litre tank filled up weekly on Anglesey would cost just £3,440.73 per year to fill with diesel - a saving of over £388.

For unleaded drivers on the island the savings could be up to £297.

To the west Gwynedd is also significantly cheaper, with a litre of unleaded costing just 146.56 pence and diesel 153.6 pence while on the other side Denbighshire is marginally cheaper, with diesel coming out at 159.18ppl and unleaded at 151.93ppl.   

"Distance from refineries is a significant factor that impacts fuel prices in different regions," said  Simon Williams, Head of External Affairs at the RAC. "Rural areas that are further from major distribution centres tend to face higher costs due to increased transportation expenses."

Other factors that affect price are supply and demand and market competition.

"In areas where there's a lack of competition among fuel suppliers, prices are likely to be higher because consumers have fewer options," said Edmund King, president of the AA.

"Encouraging more suppliers to enter the market could help drive prices down."

How can you save fuel 

Petrol costs take up on average 3% of the household budget. With prices determined by where you live, how can you reduce that cost?

Drive Fuel-Efficiently: Ensuring proper tyre inflation and avoiding too much idling will make your fuel last longer. Also drive smoothly and don't accelerate too fast.

Use Apps to Find Cheap Fuel: Some phone applications can help you to find the cheapest fuel in your area. Finding deals before filling up can save you a significant amount of money.

Use Alternative Transport: Public transport, carpooling or biking are alternative options if the cost is becoming too much. 

Join Fuel Rewards Programs: Many petrol stations and supermarkets have fuel reward programs that give discounts on every purchase of fuel you make.