DRIVING a few kilometres can save a Canberra motorist up to 7c a litre in fuel.
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Petrol prices at the bowser have fallen to their lowest levels in at least 10 months, with the cost of unleaded petrol hitting 132.9c a litre in Civic yesterday.
Other petrol stations in nearby suburbs were selling unleaded fuel for as much as 139.9c a litre.
Overall, prices are generally lower for Canberra. It is a sharp decline from the average weekly price at the pump in May, when prices peaked at about 156c a litre.
New figures compiled by Orima Research and released by the Australian Institute of Petroleum showed that prices in Canberra fell in June and have continued to slide throughout July.
NRMA ACT director Alan Evans said he did not expect these prices to last.
''Yes, it has been low for Canberra this week but compare it to some other cities - like Melbourne where I saw it being sold for 119c per litre last week,'' he said. ''The main reason for the different prices between Melbourne and Canberra is the lack of competition here.
''Canberra sites are controlled by the oil companies and dominated by Coles and Woolworths. If you look at recent history, these 132c prices are not going to last.''
Canberra motorists were paying an average of 139c a litre in the week ending July 15, which was lower than at any time in the past 10 months. In October last year, average prices bottomed out at 144c a litre.
However, there was still a wide discrepancy in prices across the ACT yesterday, with fuel being sold 7c dearer in Weston Creek, at 139.9 cents a litre.
Across the nation, prices have steadily lowered over the past two months, declining from 152c a litre in May to 135c a litre last week.