Fuel supply is still a “big problem” in south-east England, the Petrol Retailers Association says – and “if anything it had got worse”.
But the PRA said Scotland, the north of England and parts of the Midlands had seen a “distinct improvement”.
The military will begin delivering petrol across the UK from Monday.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the situation was “stabilising” and measures including the deployment of the military will help.
The UK has been grappling with a fuel crisis that has caused huge queues outside some petrol stations, and forced customers to drive to multiple sites in search of supplies.
While the government and retailers say there is enough fuel at UK refineries, a shortage of drivers has slowed the transport of fuel to some petrol forecourts, and demand has been high.
Almost 200 servicemen and women, 100 of them drivers, will provide “temporary” support to ease pressure on stations.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents nearly 5,500 of the UK’s 8,300 petrol stations said there were fewer dry sites in Scotland, the north of England and parts of the Midlands.
But he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the situation had got worse in London and south-east England.
He said the military drivers will be a “large help” but a “prioritisation of deliveries to filling stations, particularly the independent ones, which are the neighbourhood sites” was needed “immediately”.
Mr Madderson also warned drivers would see a rise in fuel prices next week, but because of “global factors” not because of profiteering.
Mr Javid said there was “enough fuel in the country, there always has been” but it had been a challenge in terms of the number of drivers.
“I think the measures that have been taken over the last couple of weeks are certainly helping, it seems the situation is stabilising, it is not completely over yet,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“The most reassuring message is that there is enough fuel in this country for everyone, if everyone just goes back to normal, in terms of just filling up to for what they actually need, then that will certainly help the situation.”
Military personnel are currently training at haulier sites and will be on the road delivering fuel supplies across the country to “help fuel stocks further improve” from Monday, the government said.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said personnel would be seen working alongside drivers this weekend following training this week.
Ministers have also announced that up to 300 overseas fuel tanker drivers will be able to work in the UK immediately until the end of March.
In addition to this, temporary visas are also being offered to 4,700 food haulage drivers who are able to arrive from late October and leave by 28 February 2022.
Visas are being offered to a further 5,500 poultry workers who can come from late October and stay until 31 December.
Previously, the government said these temporary visas would last until Christmas Eve.