Petrol prices were significantly lower in the Central West on Thursday than in metropolitan areas.

The price of petrol reached up to 171.9 cents in some areas of the Eastern Suburbs on Thursday according to the NSW Government's Fuel Checker.

The average price in NSW on Thursday afternoon was 153 cents for a litre of E10 (Ethanol).

Read also: $50,000 facelift: Competition win provides fresh new look for Sofala pub

Bathurst petrol prices were up to 20 cents a litre lower on Thursday afternoon.

Kelso was the place to shop with the 7-Eleven selling E10 at 133.7 cents a litre and the Caltex slightly higher at 133.9 cents a litre.

In town, the Caltex Woolworths on Bentinck Street was the cheapest at 136.9, equal with the 7-Eleven on Stewart Street and the Metro South on Bant Street.

Read also: More than tea and scones: What are the CWA doing during the drought?

Story continues after fuel checker.

NRMA spokesperson Rebecca Page said it was pleasing to see lower prices in the Central West.

"If you're leaving town fill up, especially if you're heading towards Sydney. If you have a choice fill up at Bathurst, it was as low as 136.9 cents today," she said.

The price of petrol in the Central West generally isn't affected by Sydney prices, according to Mrs Page.

Read also: Missy Higgins and Killing Heidi to headline 2020 Inland Sea of Sound

According to Mrs Page, this is good when prices go up in Sydney but maybe not as positive when prices come down. But it does provide stability to the local market, she said.

Mrs Page said the best way to check prices was to download the NRMA app.

"It's live data (so there's) no reason to fill up and go around the corner and see lower prices," she said.

She also said independent stations were usually closer to wholesale prices.

"The overheads are different for independent stores than large listed stations."