Up to 45 euros more to return home than in 2025: so expensive gasoline weighs on the counter-exodus of Italians on holiday

A surge in fuel prices has pushed the cost of returning home during the summer vacation period to rise by up to €45 compared to the same time last year, according to recent reports. The situation has placed additional financial strain on Italian families who have spent their holidays in popular coastal destinations such as the Calabria, Salento, Riviera delle Palme, and the Costiera Sorrentina. With the average price of gasoline reaching €2.009 per liter in early August, marking a peak after months of rising costs, the burden on households has become increasingly evident. The increase in fuel prices has been particularly harsh for drivers with diesel vehicles, which saw prices climb to €2.129 per liter, despite recent reductions in excise duties. These higher prices have made the return journey more expensive than it was in the same period in 2025, when fuel prices were significantly lower. At that time, the average price of gasoline stood at €1.695 per liter, while diesel was priced at €1.622 per liter. This difference translates into an extra expense of up to €45 for a family traveling back home, excluding the added costs of the outbound trip and other travel-related expenses. To illustrate the impact, consider a family from Bologna returning from Sorrento. Their journey covers approximately 612 kilometers, requiring nearly 41 liters of fuel. At current prices, this would cost around €82 for a gasoline-powered vehicle and €87 for a diesel one. In comparison, the same route in 2025 would have cost €69 for gasoline and €63 for diesel, highlighting a cost increase of €13 and €19 respectively. Similarly, a family from Turin returning from San Benedetto del Tronto would face a much greater financial burden, paying €102.45 for gasoline and €108.60 for diesel today, compared to €86.44 and €82.72 in 2025, a rise of €16 and €26. Another example involves a family traveling from Florence to Tropea, covering 877 kilometers. They would spend €117 on gasoline and €124 on diesel today, whereas they would have saved €18 and €30.70 in 2025. For those returning from Lecce to Milan via the A14 highway, the cost of 1,033 kilometers of travel amounts to €146 for diesel, compared to €112 in 2025, an increase of €34. However, for those driving gasoline-powered cars, the cost has risen from €117 to €138, a jump of €21. Meanwhile, a resident of Turin returning from Reggio Calabria faces even steeper increases, with the journey costing €179.90 for gasoline and €190 for diesel today, compared to €151.75 and €145 in 2025. These figures underscore the growing economic pressure on Italian families as they navigate the challenges of high fuel costs during the summer season. Many are finding themselves forced to make difficult choices, whether it's cutting down on discretionary spending or adjusting travel plans. Some are opting to pack meals in advance to avoid the added expense of purchasing food at service stations along the way. As the government prepares to decide on extending the reduction in excise duty on diesel, which is set to expire soon, the hope is that further relief will come before the next wave of holiday returns. Until then, the financial impact of the rising fuel prices continues to weigh heavily on everyday life.