Big rig friendly gas stops

[R_E_Baird]

Newly retired and taking our Alpine 5the wheel to the Jupiter, FL area from the St Louis, Mo area via I-64 to I-24 to I-65 to I-20 to I-75 into Jupiter. Any advice on diesel stops that easily accommodates a 40' 5the wheel towed with an extended cab 2500HD?

[R_E_Baird]

C-Bears wrote:

R.E.Baird wrote:
Newly retired and taking our Alpine 5the wheel to the Jupiter, FL area from the St Louis, Mo area via I-64 to I-24 to I-65 to I-20 to I-75 into Jupiter. Any advice on diesel stops that easily accommodates a 40' 5the wheel towed with an extended cab 2500HD?

First off, I am partially with you on the route. Two years ago we had to make a run to Florida in our SUV. Went I-75 route. The pass up through Mount Eagle was fogged in so bad we had to pull over for 4 hours.

When pulling our FW from Illinois to Florida we always, always, always go I-24, I-65 to Montgomery. Then we cut down Rt. 231 to I-10. Rt. 231 is not interstate but it is 4-lane divided. If you take your time and stay at the speed limit you will love that route.

As far as getting my fuel I always use Pilot and Flying J. It doesn't matter which one because I use my Pilot card and get the discount anyway. Been in over 20 different states this year and haven't found them anymore expensive (after discount) then other stations.

I tried an RV lane one time and that was the last time. I got behind two Class C gas MH's that each took about 20 minutes each to gas up. No thank you I will go to the truck lanes where I belong since I am 62' in length anyway. The trucker's are always great about pulling up when they are finished pumping if they have to go inside.

We have driven 231 without the FW and is not to bad just narrow and curvy at times.This is my 1st long haul With the FW and plan to stick to the Interstates as much as possible. Along with overnighting at Camping World when possible.

[C-Bears]

R.E.Baird wrote:
Newly retired and taking our Alpine 5the wheel to the Jupiter, FL area from the St Louis, Mo area via I-64 to I-24 to I-65 to I-20 to I-75 into Jupiter. Any advice on diesel stops that easily accommodates a 40' 5the wheel towed with an extended cab 2500HD?

First off, I am partially with you on the route. Two years ago we had to make a run to Florida in our SUV. Went I-75 route. The pass up through Mount Eagle was fogged in so bad we had to pull over for 4 hours.

When pulling our FW from Illinois to Florida we always, always, always go I-24, I-65 to Montgomery. Then we cut down Rt. 231 to I-10. Rt. 231 is not interstate but it is 4-lane divided. If you take your time and stay at the speed limit you will love that route.

As far as getting my fuel I always use Pilot and Flying J. It doesn't matter which one because I use my Pilot card and get the discount anyway. Been in over 20 different states this year and haven't found them anymore expensive (after discount) then other stations.

I tried an RV lane one time and that was the last time. I got behind two Class C gas MH's that each took about 20 minutes each to gas up. No thank you I will go to the truck lanes where I belong since I am 62' in length anyway. The trucker's are always great about pulling up when they are finished pumping if they have to go inside.

[rockhillmanor]

R.E.Baird wrote:

Dennis M M wrote:
Why go I-65 to I-20? Unless you have a reason to stop along that route you are adding an extra 100 miles. I always run I-24 to I-75.

I want to avoid the climb out of Chattanooga and drop into Atlanta.

X10!!
I did that Chattanooga drop off ONCE and never again. Taking 20 across to Atlanta makes for a much more pleasant RV trip.

[irishtom29]

R.E.Baird wrote:

Dennis M M wrote:
Why go I-65 to I-20? Unless you have a reason to stop along that route you are adding an extra 100 miles. I always run I-24 to I-75.

I want to avoid the climb out of Chattanooga and drop into Atlanta.

If you take 24 and 75 the only big climb between Nashville and Atlanta is Monteagle Mountain, south of Hoover's Gap and north of Chattanooga. It's an interesting climb and descent but not too bad. East of Chattanooga 24 goes through a dug gap through Missionary Ridge (near the Illinois monument atop the ridge) and 75 goes through the gaps of the ridges further south, such as Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face Ridge.

As an Illinoisan you can stop and see where Illinois arms prevailed at Hoover's Gap, Missionary Ridge, Resaca and Alatoona.

[tomman58]

R.E.Baird wrote:

Dennis M M wrote:
Why go I-65 to I-20? Unless you have a reason to stop along that route you are adding an extra 100 miles. I always run I-24 to I-75.

I want to avoid the climb out of Chattanooga and drop into Atlanta.

Remember of course Atlanta sucks major wad. DD lived south of there and it was always a challenge but not as bad as Houston TX.

[R_E_Baird]

Dennis M M wrote:
Why go I-65 to I-20? Unless you have a reason to stop along that route you are adding an extra 100 miles. I always run I-24 to I-75.

I want to avoid the climb out of Chattanooga and drop into Atlanta.

[NashTT]

Better check your route. I75 is on the west side of FL, I95 is on the east and so is Jupiter. Have a safe trip.

[tomman58]

2oldman wrote:
I use anything that isn't in a populated area.

Like Nashville heading Tunica on the Interstate! Cross 5 lanes to keep going, what a mess I always dread that move but then again Houston is worse.

There will always be a fuel stop about 5 to 30 miles out of a city ... USE IT, don't think you'll make out of dodge, know it.

[2oldman]

I use anything that isn't in a populated area.

[NHIrish]

Buy the route planning guide "The next exit". It will identify all rv friendly fuel stops, both diesel and gas, off of the interstates.

Also, if you use gps or have a smart phone, there are plenty of apps out there that will find truck stops etc.

We use all of the above but find the next exit to be our "go to" resource. Get it on amazon or book stores.

http://www.thenextexit.com/

[tomman58]

I normally don't use pilot or Flying J as their prices are always higher then most others. You can use gas buddy, also there are plenty of other places for fuel normally one truck stop has several others at lower prices. I have a 2500 CC dMax with a 40' Travel Trailer. I just don't use a standard gas station unless I see a good spot to fill and leave.

[Dave_H_M]

Check the map. There is a big adz fuel/truck stop complex at the turn off to Ft Campbell, but that is pretty close to Nashville.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

www.pilotflyingj.com has a trip routing feature on their site. Click on locations and then "plan a trip" it will show all their locations on your route. I prefer Flying J's over Pilot because they have RV lanes.
You can also check the fuel prices. Some MO locations and most TN are lower than GA and FL. Definitely fill up at Lake Park GA. About 10 cents cheaper per gallon than most FL locations.

[Dennis_M_M]

Why go I-65 to I-20? Unless you have a reason to stop along that route you are adding an extra 100 miles. I always run I-24 to I-75.