Last week, Leeton had the cheapest fuel in the state at 127.3 cents per litre, while bigger centres like Griffith and Wagga were up at 132.9 and 134.9, dearer than Hay at 132.5.

Peter Khoury from the NRMA said the NSW Government’s Fuel Check website and apps that used the data helped people save up to 30 cents at the pump.

However, he said it was up to motorists to shop around and buy the cheapest fuel if they wanted prices to drop.

“If the ones that are overcharging notice customers driving straight past it will put pressure on them to compete on price,” Mr Khoury said. “If there’s one thing the industry needs it’s more competition.”

The comments come after Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Rod Sims said fuel price tools could help save as much as $15 per tank.

“The ACCC estimates that by timing their purchases of petrol, and choosing to buy from the lowest priced retailer, motorists filling up a vehicle with a 60 litre tank could save themselves around $10 to $15 per tank of petrol,” he said.

“Petrol websites and apps are beginning to play an important role in providing price transparency and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of price transparency in enabling competition in the retail petrol market.

“The more people that use these websites and apps, the more powerful a role they can play in helping consumers get the lowest prices.”

The biggest factors influencing petrol prices continued to be global oil prices and the strength of the Australian dollar, Mr Khoury said, but the data did highlight the big mystery of Griffith’s infamously dear fuel.

“If it doesn’t make sense, it’s because it doesn’t make sense,” Mr Khoury said.

“Towns with a greater number of independent operators, regardless of size, will be more competitive on price.”