PETROL prices are likely to remain high across regional Victoria and southern NSW this Easter.
In a holiday blow to the hip pocket, prices are tipped to remain north of $1.50 a litre in some regional areas.
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It follows a recent rise in the wholesale price of petrol that resulted in price spikes across the state, especially in regional areas, where prices usually remain higher than Melbourne.
Petrol prices last week topped $1.50 a litre in much of regional Victoria, including Benalla, Cobram, Euroa, Kyabram, Seymour and Wangaratta.
Corryong recorded the highest petrol price outside Melbourne at $1.57 a litre, while Leongatha had the second most expensive price at $1.55 a litre.
The cheapest prices outside Melbourne included Ballarat at $1.47 a litre and Portland at $1.481 a litre.
Commsec economist Savanth Sebastian said he expected prices would not increase further for the Easter period, but would instead stabilise at the current prices.
RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus advised motorists to shop around.
"Motorists could save $12 to $15 a tank by getting in early and getting fuel when it's at the lower price," he said.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Andrew Broad encouraged Easter holiday makers to holiday in regional Victoria instead of travelling long distances.
"Fuel prices might go up a bit over Easter," Mr Broad said.
"But for that reason, drive no further than 600km from Melbourne and stay in regional Victoria.
"It's a wonderful place to be this time of year."
Meanwhile, diesel prices have also risen about 1.5 cents a litre in the past week.
The Victorian regional average last week was at $1.51 a litre, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
