A HANDFUL of retailers are driving up Bathurst's average price for unleaded fuel.
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For the week ending August 9, Bathurst's average price for unleaded fuel was 121.1 cents per litre, compared to 111.7 in Lithgow and 112.9 in Orange.
Dubbo, with it's average of 116.2 cents per litre, was also placed better than Bathurst.
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NRMA spokesperson Bridget Ahern said that, while Bathurst's average is higher than that of nearby areas, motorists thankfully do have access to cheap petrol if they shop around.
"What you can see in Bathurst is you've got some very good retailers who are selling it for about $1.10 at the moment. You've got Pearl Energy, which I know opened very recently, and another independent in town that are both offering it for 110.9 cents per litre," she said.
"The reason why the average is so high is because you do have three other retailers in the town offering it for 127.9 cents per litre. That drags the average up quite quickly."
As fuel prices are unregulated, retailers can charge what they want for petrol.
Ms Ahern said that if people aren't happy with the prices some retailers are charging, they need to send a very clear message to them.
"There's absolutely no reason why people need to be paying 127.9 cents per litre for their petrol when they can be paying $1.10," she said.
"Consumers really just need to exercise their consumer rights and say 'We're not going to pay 127.9, we're going to elect to all pay 110.9' and send the message to retailers that are charging more that it is unacceptable and people are willing to look for cheaper petrol."
For now, petrol prices in regional NSW should remain stable for the next month. Beyond that, petrol prices may rise a little as global demand for oil goes up.
As of Wednesday, the best price for unleaded was at Pearl Energy and the United.
Those needing diesel can get it for 109.9 at either of those two retailers, as well as the Metro in Rocket Street and the Caltex near Stockland Drive.
