Forum Discussion

mileshuff's avatar
mileshuff
Explorer
Dec 20, 2019

Indio to Buellton/Solvang gas stations?

Will be driving tomorrow from Indio to Buellton. Not sure of which route I'll take, shorter route thru LA, or scenic route to Cajon Pass, Pearblossom etc. Just a bit too far to comfortably make it on one tank.

Any easy RV friendly diesel stops along the way?
  • mileshuff wrote:
    A bit strange as each row has two pumps, one on each side of the lane. One pump is a slave of the other. You have to turn both pumps on and lay one of the hoses on the ground while pumping the other or it will not turn on. Never saw that before.
    Master slave pumps are used by truckers to fill both tanks even at the same time. You have to activate the master to use the slave. You do not have to activate the slave to use the master.
  • older_fossil wrote:
    We always will opt for the longer way around to avoid as much of the LA basin as possible. So I'd choose I15->138->14->I5->126->101. Being about 58' long flat towing, we usually use the truck pumps at truck stops. If you take the I15 a little further north, there is a Pilot right at the 395 junction. Take the 395 and the 18 to get back over to the 138. Headed to Flying Flags?

    Art


    Yep, At Flying Flags now. Love the newer spots in the back. The older sections are rather cramped and difficult when cars parked on the streets. A bit expensive but a nice park.
  • We ended up taking the 210, I5, 126, 101. The station mentioned in Santa Paula does indeed have a big rig island. All pumps have 1" nozzles which works fine with my truck. A bit strange as each row has two pumps, one on each side of the lane. One pump is a slave of the other. You have to turn both pumps on and lay one of the hoses on the ground while pumping the other or it will not turn on. Never saw that before.
  • dedmiston wrote:
    older_fossil wrote:
    We always will opt for the longer way around to avoid as much of the LA basin as possible. So I'd choose I15->138->14->I5->126->101. Being about 58' long flat towing, we usually use the truck pumps at truck stops. If you take the I15 a little further north, there is a Pilot right at the 395 junction. Take the 395 and the 18 to get back over to the 138. Headed to Flying Flags?

    Art


    I agree with this route. When you're heading north on I5, pass the 126 and go out of your way about two miles to Castaic. It's very trucker friendly. Fill up there, and then double-back down south on the 5 to the 126.

    Alternatively, there's a Circle K in Santa Paula at the intersection of 126 and Hallock on the right side of the street. It's right at the intersection where the 126 becomes a freeway instead of surface street. The Circle K has a nice big-rig friendly island on the far right side of the lot (east side).
    Obvious typo as it's I-215 to I-15.

    I always avoid the LA downtown area. My preferred midday route is 210, 134, 101 or 210, 118, 23, 101. More traffic and less time than the above route.
  • older_fossil wrote:
    We always will opt for the longer way around to avoid as much of the LA basin as possible. So I'd choose I15->138->14->I5->126->101. Being about 58' long flat towing, we usually use the truck pumps at truck stops. If you take the I15 a little further north, there is a Pilot right at the 395 junction. Take the 395 and the 18 to get back over to the 138. Headed to Flying Flags?

    Art


    I agree with this route. When you're heading north on I5, pass the 126 and go out of your way about two miles to Castaic. It's very trucker friendly. Fill up there, and then double-back down south on the 5 to the 126.

    Alternatively, there's a Circle K in Santa Paula at the intersection of 126 and Hallock on the right side of the street. It's right at the intersection where the 126 becomes a freeway instead of surface street. The Circle K has a nice big-rig friendly island on the far right side of the lot (east side).
  • We always will opt for the longer way around to avoid as much of the LA basin as possible. So I'd choose I15->138->14->I5->126->101. Being about 58' long flat towing, we usually use the truck pumps at truck stops. If you take the I15 a little further north, there is a Pilot right at the 395 junction. Take the 395 and the 18 to get back over to the 138. Headed to Flying Flags?

    Art
  • The National Truck Stop Directory indicates those that are RV friendly. In addition any RV with the 1" diesel fill can use the truck lanes. It's a guide as are Google maps.

    Yes, taking large RV rigs into car lanes requires pre planning and/or backup plans.
  • CA Traveler wrote:
    The National Truck Stop Directory is your friend.


    It does help but hopefully someone has driven this route and can add their findings. Truck stop directories are helpful but I have found many truck stops NOT RV friendly. Some have semi truck pumps along with conventional car pumps that can be tight for RV's.
  • 266 miles. Nothing easy from northern City of Santa Barbara until you get to Buellton IMO if you go the coast. Stations in Carpentaria would be tight too.