Those planning to stop for fuel on the way home this afternoon could be in for a shock when they see the price displayed on the bowser.

Fuel has not been so expensive in Perth since 2008 when the average price hit 156.6 cents per litre on July 24.

A NRMA forecast has predicted the price of petrol could rise close to a $1.60 a litre.

Today's metropolitan average price for unleaded petrol is 156.3 cents per litre.

The highest ever daily metropolitan average of 160 cents per litre was reached on July 15, 2008 when the fuel price peaked at 170.9 cents per litre, excluding some smaller outer metropolitan sites.