Finding Large Fueling Centers Ahead of Time

[Bill001]

Hi,

Do ya'll have a resourse that helps you find diesel fueling stations down the road so you know where stations are that will accomadate your truck w 5ver?

Thanks again,
Bill

[DKRITTER]

My biggest problem is my bladder and my fuel tank are no where near the same size.

[mountainsam]

I know before I start where I will be stopping. I know the range of my truck and plan accordingly. Occasionally I will make an unscheduled stop but they are rare, usually for something other that fuel. I find it much more relaxing knowing my stop is 55 miles ahead rather than searching for somewhere to fuel. As far as the layout, there are very few stations anymore that you can't get a rig into and out of. You may have to wait for the gas burners to clear the diesel pumps but thats time well spent checking tires, cleaning windows, etc. Its all about relaxing and enjoying the road, have fun.

[allen8106]

I use two apps on my iPhone, Gas Buddy and the Road Ahead. I have two issues with these. Gas Buddy gives you the list in all directions, even if you've already passed the station. The Road Ahead seems to only work on interstates, unless I'm doing something wrong.

[lenr]

We use Allstays which shows major truck stops and Walmarts; and I plan the next day each evening since like all 2011 - 2016 short bed Ford Diesels, we have a 26 gal. tank. That's 3 hours of driving and by then I'm ready for a break. Only rarely do I need to fill up before MT because the next gap to a station is a long one. Prefer Loves because our short fifth wheel will fit through the auto lanes where I can pay at the pump, and because many have McDonalds. Started avoiding Fly'n J after Pilot bought them and the pump maintenance disappeared, and because they don't have major brand fast food--have noticed that they're maintaining their pumps again. REALLY do not like the double walk to the fuel desk to use the truck lanes (for only 18 gallons) so we avoid Pilot where the auto lanes are very often too tight for us (or the auto lanes don't have diesel).

[Crodad]

Coach-man wrote:
The best thing we did, was to add a 40 gallon aux tank to our TV. That gives me an extra full tank plus 8 gallons! I can bypass high price stations, and pick the one I want to stop at!

X2.

This is what I did too. Now I can drive all day and not worry about refueling. Then I can fuel up once I'm disconnected.

[GoPackGo]

Rangerman40 wrote:
It's pretty simple.... Use a truck stop. Go to the truck lanes. Never have to worry about fitting or not. The small swings in price from station to station aren't enough to even make me think twice about it. I just stop when I need fuel.

I think if you use GasBuddy and check the price at a Pilot or Love's and then at a Walmart (Murphy) you'll find there is usually a huge difference in price. That's one reason why I fuel up at the end of the day after setting up at the CG.

The only way to drive down prices is to buy fuel at the cheaper stations. I just will not support stations that want to perpetuate ridiculously high prices.

[lakeside013104]

Bowti wrote:
We also use The Next Exit book and find it very useful. We also make sure we have a full tank, when heading into congested areas (like Atlanta) where we might encounter a traffic jam that in all reality could last for hours.

My response is the same as above. x2

Lakeside

[one_strange_tex]

I use Trucker Path (truck stops) & RV Parks (RV friendly fuel stops) apps on my tablet. They display fueling locations & other helpful icons along the planned route. Ditto on what others have said about checking out satellite & ground level views ahead of time on Google Maps or Earth. You can view entry and exit paths, plus confirm that the stop is really where the icon or coordinates say it is.

[Rangerman40]

It's pretty simple.... Use a truck stop. Go to the truck lanes. Never have to worry about fitting or not. The small swings in price from station to station aren't enough to even make me think twice about it. I just stop when I need fuel.

[CA_Traveler]

fred42 wrote:
Do any of these apps tell you if the gas lanes are parralel or pependicular to the storefront?

Not that I've seen and they also don't indicate how much is available for access to the pumps. And this includes car, RV and truck lanes.

[bpounds]

fred42 wrote:
Do any of these apps tell you if the gas lanes are parralel or pependicular to the storefront?

In Gasbuddy, you can click on the station, which will show you a map. Then there is a directions link to whatever map app is on your phone. For me that is Google Maps, which gives the option of a satellite view. The stations canopy might still obscure the island orientation, but you'll probably be able to figure it out.

Gasbuddy also has photos of most stations. But only what users have uploaded, so only hit or miss.

[GoPackGo]

Gas Buddy does not. I don't think 'Next Exit' does either.

I suggest using Google maps 'satellite view' and also 'street view'.

[2oldman]

fred42 wrote:
Do any of these apps tell you if the gas lanes are parralel or pependicular to the storefront?

RoyB posted about google maps.

[fred42]

Do any of these apps tell you if the gas lanes are parralel or pependicular to the storefront?

[CA_Traveler]

Next Exit is for Interstates. The National Truck Stop Directory is for truck routes and includes RV information.