Gas station planning

DTJ9610 · 06-09-2011, 04:28 AM

We are going from Buffalo to Gettysburg at the end of the month and I am tryng to figure out the best way to plan my gas station stops. This will be my first trip where I am going to have to fill up while in transit. Any help is greatly apprecated.

antiqfreq · 06-09-2011, 04:56 AM

We were fulltiming for a year last year and I used this site:

www.findfuelstops.com

Also using my laptop with my MS Maps program, it can search for truck stops or fuel stations. Otherwise watch for the signs....and hopefully when you get there you can get into it or hope it is even open. We never had a problem;
but then again we always carried an extra 10 gallons of diesel with us in case we couldn't find fuel when we hit the 1/4 mark.

Happy traveling,

Jo

Jim W · 06-09-2011, 05:02 AM

Hi,
We use two books when we travel that help tremendously. One is called "the Next Exit". This list every exit on the interstate highway system by state and what is available at that exit. My DW uses this book to plan our stops for fuel and rest stops as we travel. The other book is "The RVer's Friend". This list all fuel stops, overnight parking, rest areas with dumps and Zip codes.
They both sell for $14.95 each and can be purchased on line or at camping stores.
I usually buy one every other year and this will do for the next year.
Jim W.

**hankpage** · 06-09-2011, 05:08 AM

I'm don't know the cruising range of your rig but assuming you take US219S,(shortest route) when you reach I80 it should be half way. There should be decent fuel stops along that stretch of interstate ..... just before getting on I80, at exits and getting back on US219S. That is around the 3 hr. mark and time for a break anyway. Have a safe trip and take breaks often, Hank

hankaye · 06-09-2011, 05:48 AM

DTJ9610, Howdy;

I start looking at 1/2 tank of fuel. As I have a 42 gallon tank (factory), for me that equates to about 250 - 300 miles.
Time to get out and strech the legs anyway.
If you know how well, or not, you do with fuel mileage then you can 'sorta' know where you might be to start looking... If you chose to go US vrs. InterState then ALWAYS be aware of overhead clearance HEIGHTS when checking out a Local location...

hankaye

jq1031 · 06-09-2011, 06:18 AM

I'v found over the years that truck stops are the best places to fuel up, especially Flying J as many of them have an RV lane.

DTJ9610 · 06-09-2011, 06:21 AM

That's the only issue I have is that my tank is a measly 23 gallons... Great for affordable filups, bad for long trips. I'll start looking into your suggestions. Is there a site that is better for mapping out driving direction.

Thank you

Me.Bikes.Dogs · 06-09-2011, 06:43 AM

If you've got a smartphone, use the GasBuddy app. It will show you nearby gas stations, current prices, directions, distance, even photos of the gas station. And it's free! I find it invaluable when on the road.

hankaye · 06-09-2011, 07:02 AM

Howdy All;

As far as to using anything other than a MAP. I'm about lost

.

No matter which sort of computer app. or whatever, PLEASE, verify it with a map.

There was a couple from B.C. Canada that relied on their GPS unit for a short-cut thru Nevada. Headed to Las Vegas, Nv for a confrence of some sort. Some hunters found the wife (at the mini van), where they had gotten stuck in the mud...45 days or so AFTER THEY HAD GOTTEN STUCK North of Elko, Nv. ... That was 2 or 3 weeks ago haven't heard if they found the husband yet... he set out for help...hasn't been seen since. The hunter's that found her had to go 9 miles to use a phone!

I keep my R-McN close to hand when on the road...

hankaye

PS. App's are great things ... they won't tell you the clearance height or if the road it wants you to turn on to is a goat trail or an interstate........

**hankpage** · 06-09-2011, 09:10 AM

Hank, Welcome to the 21rst century. I agree, paper maps are great, BUT it is hard to find up to date printed maps. New exits and express lanes and bypasses on interstates are constantly changing and printed maps are only updated when publishers deem necessary. A good GPS can give traffic reports, posted speed limits, rest area locations, and custom points of interest ( POIs such as Pilot/FlyingJ or other fuel stops) and be updated (or corrected) several times a year. That said .... Blindly following any electronic devise (or co-pilot

) is not good either. I plan my trips both ways and then travel my plan and let the GPS "Recalculate" when we disagree. Live co-pilots don't recalculate as quickly and usually remind you constantly that YOU messed up .... they also lack volume controls or power buttons.

Again JM2¢, The other Hank

Ps, If anyone is interested don't ever say "Sit back and enjoy the trip." .... even with a big smile on your face. ... Your GPS will never show you where the sofa-bed is.

hankaye · 06-09-2011, 10:51 AM

Howdy All;

My co-pilot just yawns and curles-up in the pax. seat and goes to sleep. He does appericate it when I let him out to pee on a tree, then just wants to chase a ball for awhile...

hankaye

21st. ???? Thought we just got to the 20th.....I DO live in Utah ya know.

KanTC · 06-09-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankpage

.... Blindly following any electronic devise (or co-pilot

) is not good either. I plan my trips both ways and then travel my plan and let the GPS "Recalculate" when we disagree. Live co-pilots don't recalculate as quickly and usually remind you constantly that YOU messed up .... they also lack volume controls or power buttons.

Again JM2¢, The other Hank

Ps, If anyone is interested don't ever say "Sit back and enjoy the trip." .... even with a big smile on your face. ... Your GPS will never show you where the sofa-bed is.

Hank, ROTFL

I laughed so hard that my sides hurt!!....... And that's coming from the one who's been using the 'co-pilot' signature for nearly the past year! Signed... just Terri, today

Bob Landry · 06-09-2011, 12:47 PM

I also tow with a Tundra 5.7L. Gas stops were about 175 miles apart and when you're on empty, you have to stop whether you know if you can get in and out or not. That got old pretty quick. Gas lite comes on 40 miles out of Rock Springs, Wy, 10 at night and you don't know how much fuel you have left.. gets old pretty fast. I nstalled a Transfer Flow tank on my Tundra, 47 gallons. Gas light comes on at around 350 and I have another 100 miles if I need it. I still start looking at 1/2 tank and if it looks like I can get in and out without a hassle, I'll pull in and top off. I have to be a little more picky now with 17' of truck and 35' of trailer.

wozzukes · 06-09-2011, 06:26 PM

In addition to mapping out your trip, be sure to contact the campground you will be staying at either by calling or checking their website to see if there are any special instructions for getting there. In this part of PA there are many back country roads, covered bridges, low bridges, etc. The place we camped at a few weeks ago in the Lancaster area had special instructions that had us go a little out of our way to avoid a SHARP turn and covered bridge - a way we never would have thought of going. Our friends didn't use those directions and followed their GPS and ended up taking their rig through the covered bridge and took lots of backing up to make the sharp turn. They were braver than we would have been by going across that bridge, but we never would have made it with a 5ver height wise. And another thing we have learned over the years - even setting the GPS for "truck" or "bus" mode won't always take you on RV-friendly routes!

We use Google maps when planning our trips. I really like the satellite and even street views in more popular areas to get a feel for the kind of roads you will be traveling. It kind of gives you a heads up for what to expect.

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