Motorists have seen a steady fall in petrol prices in recent weeks ahead of the Christmas getaway.

More than 21m journeys are expected to be made between Monday gone and Christmas Day.

For drivers there’s a slight present as prices at the pumps reached their highest point this year in October but have fallen again to levels seen in the late summer.

The average cost of a litre of unleaded is currently 141.00p, according to the RAC, while the average price of a litre of diesel stands at 148.73p. The motoring organisation says prices  of both should fall.

Prices fell by 7.5p in November but the RAC said at the beginning of the month drivers were still paying 10p more than they should be and said major retailers were refusing to pass on a 5p fuel duty cut.

RAC fuel expert Simon Williams said earlier this month: “While the Energy Secretary’s action may have encouraged retailers to begin reducing their prices, it’s undoubtedly a case of far too little, far too late. The wholesale market data the RAC analyses shows the true picture and unfortunately, for the Government and drivers, it shows the 5p-a-litre duty cut is not getting to drivers at all, and prices aren’t falling nearly fast enough yet again.”

Here is a list of all the cheapest fuel prices in County Durham, Darlington and Teesside (as of December 22), according to price comparison website PetrolPrices:

Durham

  • Tesco Durham Extra – unleaded: 138.9p, diesel: 148.9p
  • Sainsbury’s Arnison – unleaded: 138.9p, diesel: 148.9p
  • SHELL Stonebridge A690 – unleaded: 139.9p, diesel: 149.9p
  • ESSO Dragonville – unleaded: 139.9p, diesel: 149.9p
  • SHELL High Street, Carville – unleaded: 139.9p, diesel: 149.9p

Darlington

  • ASDA Darlington Automat – unleaded: 135.9p, diesel: 144.9p
  • JET Carmel Road – unleaded: 139.9p, diesel: 151.9p
  • SHELL Haughton Road – unleaded: 140.9p, diesel: 150.9p
  • Morrisons North Road – unleaded: 140.9p, diesel: 150.9p
  • Morrisons Morton Park  – unleaded: 140.9p, diesel: 150.7p

Bishop Auckland

  • Morrisons Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 136.7p, diesel: 144.7p
  • ASDA Bishop Auckland Automat – unleaded: 136.7p, diesel: 144.7p
  • JET Etherly Moor – unleaded: 136.7p, diesel: 144.7p
  • Tesco Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 136.9p, diesel: 144.9p
  • Sainsbury’s Bishop Auckland – unleaded: 136.9p, diesel: 144.9p

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Middlesbrough

  • Morrisons Middlesbrough – unleaded: 135.7p, diesel: 143.7p
  • ASDA Middlesbrough – unleaded: 135.7p, diesel: 143.7p
  • SHELL Marton Road – unleaded: 135.9p, diesel: 145.9p
  • Tesco Extra Coulby Newham – unleaded: 135.9p, diesel: 143.9p
  • Tesco Extra Eston – unleaded: 135.9p, diesel: 143.9p