This summer we've transitioned from travelling along major highways to some more rural roads. We find we really enjoy travelling these routes through many small towns. The scenery is much more interesting and there are plenty of places to stop and sight see.The problem we are encountering is how to plan for refueling. Typically along highways there are many truck stops. At these, we have no issue pulling truck and trailer into a pump. However, along the rural roads the gas stations often are too tight to maneuver the rig through. I can travel approx. 5 hours on 1 tank, so I often find myself finding a place to unhitch and then bring the truck only to the gas station. This is doable, but adds extra time and work. I also don't like leaving the TT unhitched along a side road or a parking lot while I fuel - worried about theft or tickets.I've been experimenting with mapquest and google maps to try and plan my routes. I find that using the Satellite image I can estimate the size of the gas station and determine if I can safely maneuver through it for refueling. I then program the address in my GMP and plan for these stops. I also find, although my truck is gas powered, if I search for gas stations that carry diesel they typically accommodate larger vehicles.Does any manufacturer make a GPS which has this type of information already loaded into it? Are there websites out there or maps I can purchase that would make this easier?Also, is there a way to determine overhead clearances along a route? I've only encountered this once, but a ran across an underpass that only had 12 feet of head clearance. Luckily I was paying attention, pulled over and detoured around it. It would be great to find this info out ahead of time.Thanks for any feedback or input you may have.

Perhaps, it would be a good investment to look at some kind of auxiliary fuel tank.Keith

You know, every gas station has tractor trailers that enter it to deliver gas. Perhaps you are more cautious than you need to be.

We often travel the back roads and primarily use the local fuel stations while traveling. Once in a while we will run across a station with a low canopy or tight maneuvering areas, but the majority of the time refueling is not an issue, and we don't worry about it. Maybe it's a little different in your part of the region.

Have you tried GasBuddy? I use the app, a LOT, it often shows a picture of the gas station and a description of services.Of course it also shows who has the best prices so you can save a bunch too.

Garmin and Rand McNally GPS has fuel locations. They give distances in all directions.We travel mostly federal highways(not interstates), primary state and some secondary state highways and find fuel not an issue.Only problem we ran into was in Oklahoma where the station's Internet was down and would not take credit or debit cards. Cash only! That taught us a lesson to make sure we have sufficient cash for a tank of fuel.

Refueling Along Rural Routes | Good Sam Community

2112
Explorer II
Aug 22, 2013
h2guy wrote:
2gypsies wrote:
2112 wrote:
h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.
there are many small towns in Texas that do not have gas stations. The next one may be 50 miles away and you may have to ask a local which way to go to find it. Not a dumb decision but an uninformed action. As a motorcycle rider with a180 mile range, I have been stuck twice before the era of Internet, smart phones and gps.

...and that's exactly why you don't let your fuel tank get so low that you can't make it 50 more miles. Run off the top 1/2 tank and you won't have problems. How do you think local people that live and work in those areas get their fuel? It's doable.

Thank You!
Now we have 4G LTE to guide the way.

What I did find out is there is usually an above ground tank behind the local feed store or auto repair shop for the local tractors. It took a nice, caring local to point this out to me. There is usually gas there but not for the general public. I had no problem buying a gallon to get me down the road. That wouldn't do a big rig much good though.

But, the most important think learned was a dot on the map with a name next to it doesn't say 'gas sold here'.
h2guy
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
2gypsies wrote:
2112 wrote:
h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.
there are many small towns in Texas that do not have gas stations. The next one may be 50 miles away and you may have to ask a local which way to go to find it. Not a dumb decision but an uninformed action. As a motorcycle rider with a180 mile range, I have been stuck twice before the era of Internet, smart phones and gps.

...and that's exactly why you don't let your fuel tank get so low that you can't make it 50 more miles. Run off the top 1/2 tank and you won't have problems. How do you think local people that live and work in those areas get their fuel? It's doable.

Thank You!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2013
2112 wrote:
h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.
there are many small towns in Texas that do not have gas stations. The next one may be 50 miles away and you may have to ask a local which way to go to find it. Not a dumb decision but an uninformed action. As a motorcycle rider with a180 mile range, I have been stuck twice before the era of Internet, smart phones and gps.

...and that's exactly why you don't let your fuel tank get so low that you can't make it 50 more miles. Run off the top 1/2 tank and you won't have problems. How do you think local people that live and work in those areas get their fuel? It's doable.
Tom_Diane
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
While doing rural routes for a change of scenery and you need fuel, why not find a small town with a city parking lot or a grain elevator close y and drop the RV. Had an occasion this summer where I needed fuel and my son said that other with trailer and such get in and out, so I tried it. Didn't work because I couldn't swing wide enough to get close to the pump. So I dropped the 5er in the grain elevator lot out of the way of everything and drove half a block to get my fuel. Takes all of what? 2 minutes for a 5er and 5 minutes to unhook and re hook a t.t.?
2112
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2013
h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.
there are many small towns in Texas that do not have gas stations. The next one may be 50 miles away and you may have to ask a local which way to go to find it. Not a dumb decision but an uninformed action. As a motorcycle rider with a180 mile range, I have been stuck twice before the era of Internet, smart phones and gps.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2013
Heck I have given up trying to find "easy" gas stations. All the new ones have the pump islands perpendicular to the ye old shack shoppe and there is no way to pull through. I have backed out of more gas stations than I can count, and when I stop for gas I just assume I'm going to have to back out from the pumps. If it's tight, DW gets out and spots. If I'm solo, I use the GOAL method before backing....Get Out And Look! Sometimes you have to back out onto the highway, and if that's the case, just do like the semis....4-ways flashing and go slow. Also helps to have 55W driving lights as back up lights on the TT.
Tystevens
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
I would be curious to know where the OP is traveling. For us, traveling in the west, it has never been an issue. My experience is that most of the smaller rural towns actually have pretty good-sized fuel stations. Maybe to allow for agriculture use, I don't know, but I have never had a problem on the routes we frequent.

Good luck!
legolas
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013
K Charles wrote:
You might have to Waite for someone to move on occasion but if they can get the trailer in to make a delivery you have room to get in to fuel up.

Most, if not all the deliveries do not have to actually pull up to a pump and most if not all stations make special accommodations to get the fuel delivery truck in.....just saying, it isn't as easy as some might paint it. It does require some careful thought, and planning ahead. When travelling the back roads I am always looking for stations that appear easy to access and I gas up there.....sometimes that means I'm gassing up with more than half a tank....but it beats getting in to a tight spot and then having some local bozo block the only access route.

I have another fueling issue / gripe and will start a new thread for it.....
K3WE
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
h2guy wrote:
I'm sorry, but I just can't, understand, running out of fuel. Its ALWAYS avail.
Unless you make a really dumb decision I guess.

No, not really.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 20, 2013
We rarely use interstates and even with our 40' motorhome and towed vehicle we don't have problems finding fuel. Farmers, ranchers and folks that live in the areas need fuel, too. So it's available. Many folks travel to Alaska each summer and if you want remote..you'll find it there. However, I would guess very fuel run out of fuel. You need to plan ahead.

Always run on your top 1/2 so you have some leeway with finding the next station. If you stay in a campground near a town of any size, drive your tow vehicle separately into town to get fuel then you're ready to take off in the morning. It can be done and the secondary roads are so much more enjoyable!

Forum Discussion

Refueling Along Rural Routes

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Montana Route 200S

Refueling

refueling

Refueling

Route Advice