BANK holidays are a great time to pile into the car to visit friends and family across the country.
However local petrol stations might operate under different hours over the Early May Bank Holiday, which could disrupt travel plans for thousands of Brits.
Sainsbury’s petrol stations
Sainsbury’s normally keeps its petrol stations open on bank holidays, even if the associated mega-store is closed for the day.
Petrol stations normally open half an hour earlier and close half an hour later than Sainsbury’s stores.
This means that most petrol stations will be open from 7.30am to 8.30pm.
Morrisons petrol stations
Morrisons sold off 337 of its petrol stations in 2024 in a bid to cut costs.
However, the supermarket still operates many stations across the UK and some of its old stations have retained Morrisons’ branding.
Opening times vary depending on location, but the majority are operating between the hours of 9am and 6pm.
Check the Morrisons app for more information about your local site.
Tesco petrol stations
Tesco are expected to open its petrol stations from 8am until 6pm on the Early May Bank Holiday.
But customers are advised to check if their local station is operating under reduced hours.
Tesco’s app contains all of the details about each petrol station’s opening hours.
Asda petrol stations
Nearly all of Asda’s petrol stations have a pay-at-the-pump service.
This means that drivers will be able to fill up their cars every day of the year.
However, Asda’s petrol stations may be closing its shops, meaning they might not serve food and drinks as normal.
Check on your Asda app to see if the shop at your local petrol station will be opening its doors to customers.
Shell petrol stations
Shell often keep their petrol stations open over bank holidays.
The mega-chain operates over 1,100 branded service stations in the UK and has access to an additional 3,800 fuel stations.
Shell’s app contains the full details of each petrol station’s opening times, as their hours may vary.
Esso petrol stations
Esso usually keep all of their petrol stations open on bank holidays, making it easier for drivers across the country to meet up with friends.
However, some of Esso’s in-store facilities will be affected by differing opening times.
These facilities include food and drink services as well as toilets.
Check ahead of time if your local petrol station will be keeping its services open, so you don’t get caught out on your trip.
Use their store locator to check the opening times for any stations on your journey.
BP petrol stations
BP have over 1,200 branded service stations across the UK.
Nearly all of the petrol provider’s stations are expected to operate under their regular working hours over the Early May Bank Holiday.
However, hours could vary at local stations so check BP’s website for more details.
How many UK bank holidays are there in 2025?
There are several bank holidays to look forward to after the early May bank holiday.
However, bank holidays differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland from England & Wales.
In both Scotland and Northern Ireland, workers get an extra day off on December 1 for St Andrew’s Day.
Northern Ireland also gets an extra day off for the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
England and Wales
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Scotland
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Northern Ireland
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- July 14, 2025 – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
- August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day (substitute day)
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Bank holiday opening times for your fave shops
Make sure you read this before heading out on a bank holiday.
- Supermarket opening times on bank holidays
- When will my Universal Credit or child benefit be paid?
- Are banks open on bank holidays?
- Are petrol stations open on bank holidays?
- Tesco opening times on bank holidays
- Are pubs open on bank holidays?
- Aldi opening times on bank holidays
- Asda opening times on bank holidays
- Sainsbury’s opening times on bank holidays
- Is the Post Office open on bank holidays?
- Are doctors open on bank holidays?
- Are newspapers published on bank holidays?
Get all the other opening times and bank holiday news here.