The Australian Institute of Petroleum reported on Monday the national average unleaded petrol price rose by a cent to 212.1 cents a litre last week.

The figure was a fraction below the record high of 212.5c/l on March 20, with pump prices hitting record highs in Melbourne (229.3c/l) and Darwin (209.8c/l).

CommSec estimates it is costing the average family $296.94 a month to fill up the car with petrol, or an extra $74.76 a month compared with the start of the year.

MotorMouth recorded the following average retail prices for unleaded fuel: Sydney 200.0c/l; Melbourne 230.0c/l; Brisbane 198.8c/l; Adelaide 191.1c/l; Perth 193.1c/l; Hobart 215.6c/l; Darwin 209.8c/l and Canberra 220.0c/l.

Motorists have been advised to delay filling up their tanks as prices are likely to ease.

– AAP