CarFest 2026 runs from 28 to 30 August at Silverstone Circuit. PetrolPal recorded average petrol at 161.2p per litre on 16 August. Premium unleaded averaged 178.2p, which matters for classics that need E5. The best plan is simple: check compatibility, compare prices, and arrive with enough fuel to avoid a rushed stop.
The official destination is Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN. CarFest estimates 60 minutes from Birmingham and 90 minutes from central London. Both approaches use the A43. Those times aren't guarantees, so check roadworks before departure and leave room for event traffic. Use PetrolPal's route planner to compare suitable stops before you join the final approach.
When and where is CarFest 2026?
CarFest takes place across three days, from Friday 28 August to Sunday 30 August 2026. The official CarFest site and Silverstone event page both confirm those dates. The venue is Silverstone Circuit near Towcester, with the postcode NN12 8TN shown on the organiser's travel page.
Drivers from Birmingham will normally approach from the M1 and A43. CarFest describes the venue as about 60 minutes south of Birmingham. Drivers from central London will commonly use the M40 and A43. The organiser estimates that journey at about 90 minutes. Treat both figures as planning guides, not promised travel times.
Why plan the final miles before the morning? A major event can change local traffic flow. Your navigation service may also receive temporary instructions near the circuit. Follow event signs and staff directions when they differ from your usual route. Check the CarFest travel page shortly before leaving because parking details can change.
The travel page currently lists day parking at £5 and a weekend non-camping parking pass at £15. It marks these details as subject to change. It also lists day-visitor parking from 8:30am to 11pm and festival doors from 10am to 10:30pm. Recheck the page before buying or travelling.
CarFest currently lists Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN, as the destination for its three-day 2026 event. Its route guidance uses the A43 from both the M1 and M40 approaches. The organiser also tells drivers to check roadworks, because delays can extend its 60-minute Birmingham and 90-minute London estimates.
How much fuel could the CarFest drive cost?
Standard petrol averaged 161.2p per litre, while premium unleaded averaged 178.2p, in PetrolPal's live 16 August feed. The 17.0p gap adds about £1.93 to a 100-mile example journey in a 40mpg car. Actual cost depends on distance, traffic, economy and your required grade.
For a quick estimate, divide planned miles by your expected mpg. Multiply the result by 4.546 to convert imperial gallons into litres. Then multiply litres by the current price per litre. Use your normal real-world economy rather than the best brochure figure, especially if the car will carry passengers, camping equipment or display gear.
A 100-mile round trip at 40mpg uses about 11.37 litres. At the current national averages, that costs about £18.32 on standard petrol or £20.25 on premium unleaded. A 180-mile round trip uses about 20.46 litres, costing roughly £32.98 or £36.46. These are worked examples, not route quotes.
Could congestion change the result? Yes. Slow queues, frequent acceleration, air conditioning and a heavily loaded car can reduce economy. The safest budget includes a small margin. It should also cover any detour to a compatible fuel stop. Compare the latest fuel prices on the travel day rather than relying on August's national average.
PetrolPal recorded 7,831 standard-unleaded prices and 6,220 premium-unleaded prices on 16 August. Premium records equalled 79.4% of the standard count. This doesn't measure confirmed E5 availability, because premium describes the grade. It does show why an E5-dependent driver should shortlist more than one stop and check each pump label.
PetrolPal's 16 August sample put premium unleaded 17.0p per litre above standard petrol. In a 40mpg car, that gap adds about £3.48 across a 180-mile example journey. Price is secondary when a vehicle requires E5 or higher octane, but compatible drivers can use the comparison to set a realistic trip budget.
Where should you plan fuel stops near Silverstone?
PetrolPal listed 8,063 UK stations in its live Fuel Finder feed on 16 August. That national count gives drivers wide coverage, but it doesn't guarantee a suitable grade at every forecourt. Search around your starting point, along the motorway approach, and near NN12 8TN before choosing a stop.
Start with the PetrolPal fuel map. Set the grade your car needs, then compare prices on the route. A stop before the busiest final section can be easier than leaving the A43 near Silverstone. Keep a second option in case a forecourt is busy, closed, or no longer shows the expected grade.
If you use standard E10, you will usually have more choices. GOV.UK says E10 is the standard grade at almost all UK petrol stations. If you need E5, look for premium unleaded as an initial filter. Then confirm the circular E5 label on the pump and nozzle before filling.
Should you arrive with a full tank? You don't need to carry unnecessary weight, but reaching the circuit near empty creates avoidable pressure. Fill far enough from Silverstone to preserve a sensible reserve for queues, diversions and your return leg. Never rely on a single station without checking its current opening hours and grade.
The best stop isn't always the cheapest point on the map. An extra detour consumes fuel and time, while event traffic makes the final approach less predictable. Compare the saving against the added miles. Choose a well-priced compatible stop that stays close to your route, then save a backup before departure.
PetrolPal's live feed covered 8,063 stations on 16 August, while its detailed sample held 1,611 fewer premium than standard unleaded records. Premium is only a search proxy for E5. Drivers should use the map to shortlist route stops, then verify the E5 label and current price at the forecourt.
Does your classic car need E5 for CarFest?
Around 95% of petrol-powered vehicles can use E10, according to the Department for Transport. All new cars made since 2011 are compatible. However, some classics, older models and fuel systems aren't approved. Check the exact vehicle rather than making a decision from age or appearance.
Use the official GOV.UK E10 checker before the trip. You may need the manufacturer, model, engine size and year. Also check the owner's manual, filler-cap label or manufacturer guidance. For an unusual classic, an owners' club or specialist garage may provide model-specific advice.
What if the checker doesn't list your vehicle? GOV.UK advises owners of unlisted vehicles to continue using E5 super unleaded at 97 octane or higher. Most stations offering two petrol grades should provide E10 95 and E5 97+. Small or remote forecourts may carry only one grade, so plan suitable stops early.
E5 and E10 describe maximum ethanol content. E10 can contain up to 10% renewable ethanol, while E5 contains up to 5%. The label doesn't replace the octane requirement in your handbook. Some engines need 97, 98 or 99 octane even when their materials can tolerate E10.
Can an approved car mix E5 and E10? Yes. The Department for Transport says both grades can safely mix in an E10-compatible vehicle. If a non-compatible car receives one E10 fill, GOV.UK says draining usually isn't required. Fill with E5 next time, but don't continue using E10 because prolonged use may cause harm.
The Department for Transport says 95% of petrol vehicles can use E10, but owners of unlisted classics should continue with E5 97+ petrol. A correct decision needs the exact manufacturer, model, engine and year. The pump's E5 or E10 label remains the final check before filling.
What should you check before leaving for Silverstone?
CarFest currently lists day-visitor parking from 8:30am, two hours before the stated 10am festival opening. The organiser marks timings and parking details as subject to change. Check the official travel page close to departure, then save your ticket, parking pass and route where you can access them offline.
Use this short departure check:
- Confirm the event date on your ticket and the destination postcode, NN12 8TN.
- Check the vehicle's E10 compatibility and required octane.
- Compare live prices on the PetrolPal route planner.
- Save one primary fuel stop and one backup with the correct grade.
- Check roadworks, weather, tyre pressures and the fuel level before leaving.
- Recheck CarFest parking prices, opening times and entry instructions.
Why check tyre pressures for one festival drive? Correct pressures support predictable handling and fuel use, especially with passengers or luggage. Use the car maker's loaded-vehicle specification when applicable. Check tyres when cold, and inspect tread and visible damage. A basic check is faster than dealing with a preventable problem beside a busy route.
Keep the final approach calm. Follow event signage near Silverstone and don't use a phone while driving. If navigation changes, let a passenger handle it or stop safely. Keep enough fuel for a diversion and part of the return journey. That reserve is especially useful if you leave with thousands of other visitors.
CarFest's current timetable gives day visitors a 90-minute gap between parking opening and festival doors. That window can absorb some arrival delay, but published details remain provisional. A checked route, correct fuel grade and backup stop reduce the three avoidable risks: late arrival, wrong fuel and a costly emergency fill.
CarFest lasts three days, and PetrolPal's 16 August feed covered 8,063 stations. The answers below cover the main driving questions. Check live event and fuel information again before travel, because parking instructions, road conditions and forecourt prices can change.
What is the simplest CarFest fuel plan?
Premium unleaded averaged 17.0p per litre more than standard petrol in PetrolPal's 16 August data. First, choose the grade your car requires. Second, estimate the journey with realistic mpg. Third, compare route prices and save a backup stop. Those steps protect the car and keep the trip cost predictable.
For most modern cars, E10 will be suitable. For an unlisted or non-compatible classic, use E5 97+ and confirm the pump label. Check the CarFest travel page for current access details. Then open PetrolPal's route planner and build the fuel stop into the drive.
The event starts before the engine does. A ten-minute check at home can prevent a wrong-grade fill, an unnecessary A43 detour or an anxious arrival on reserve. Verify the facts again on travel day, then enjoy the cars, music and weekend at Silverstone.
