Gas stations you can get in and out of.....

[KenMast]

Hi,

Planning our trip to Naples FL from Cincinnati Oh. I have a 32ft class C and I pull a Chevy Equinox toad.

This my sound like a dumb and basic question, but has anyone noticed that it's hard to find a gas station you can get in and out of? Almost all gas stations are built so that you have to pull in facing the building. At 32ft and a toad, how are you supposed to maneuver out of these places? If I could only back up, it would not be as difficult.

I get on Google maps and check out gas stations along the way where I need to stop, looking at the street view of the stations along I-75. I'm looking for the older versions, where the pumps are parallel with the road. Very hard to find one that will accommodate my rig & toad.

I know that Flying J has many stations with RV lanes, but they're not where I'm going all the time. Love's and Pilot and other truck stops don't have gas in the diesel lanes.

I'm having a hell of a time finding gas stations anymore. What does everyone else do when searching for a place to stop?

Ken

[Southwind98]

Dutch12078 wrote:
. End islands are usually good choices, and combined with stations that have a driveway that circles the back of the building, can be very easy to use, even if you have to wait a bit to get to them

Great advice, exactly what we look for in a gas station when fueling up. Also pumps that are parallel to the building, with there being a separate entrance and exit. If the station doesn't have above, we just bypass it. We start looking to fuel up at a quarter of a tank so if we don't like the layout of the station we can continue on until we find one.

[DavidandDayle]

As well as the Next Exit, for the OP's route the book Along Interstate 75 is useful.
I think both of them also note restaurants that have RV spots.

[jwmII]

Seem to be getting fewer and farther between. Truck stops are your best bet. Fuel should be fresher too.

[fred42]

revump wrote:
I try to use only truck stops unless I know the station and have been there before.

Silly question, but do any of the truck stop chains have a gas pump in those easy access pull though lanes?

[atreis]

Never had a problem anywhere, but I do check them out first - mainly just making sure there are two entrances so I don't have to turn around after pulling through the station.

[revump]

I try to use only truck stops unless I know the station and have been there before.

[mlts22]

One thing I heard good things about are cardlock stations like Pacific Pride. I have been thinking of getting a card with one, just because it provides a nice, no-nonsense way of getting fuel at pumps not occupied by someone with a diesel VW Jetta eating lunch while the line of vehicles builds up behind him.

[Veebyes]

AWMIII, you have a point. West of the Appalachans most gas stations have plenty of room. Try getting around towns that were established long before the automobile came around. The eastern towns, especially in the north east, are not big rig friendly at all. Combine old towns with mountains & narrow valleys like Vermont & New Hampshire & the fun really escalates.

[AWMIII]

It cracks me up when someone from west of I81 makes comments about gas stations having plenty of room. Try getting gas in the Philly suburbs. Its nearly impossible. I once needed a fill so badly that I was willing to sit on RT30 in Villanova until the lane opened up for the outside pumps. Many of our gas stations are about 1/3 the size of gas stations in other parts of the country. In this area gas could not be delivered by double tankers, because double semis are illegal except on the interstates. The issue the original poster has is that HE CANT BACK UP BECAUSE OF THE TOAD. I try to use Turnpike rest stops and Truck Stops. Plan your escape in advance.

[RGar974417]

I agree with the OP. That's why we try to plan our stops around Flying J's. The other thing I do is try to find gas at rural stops. many of them are older stations with pumps parralel to the station and less traffic.

[johnhicks]

I just used Google Earth and scanned my route from east-central Texas back to central Florida (non-Interstate).

It took a while, but I found plenty of gas stations that look like they'd work and also checked them out on Street View. In plotting the route I often designated "enter from side road" or similar to make them workable. Of course I found many gas stations that won't work because they're too small (lots of Walmarts) or, in checking Street View, simply don't have a diesel hose.

[Bob_Shaw]

Listen, I agree with the OP. I tow a 40' 5th wheel with an extended cab long bed P/U, and some of the stations can get really dicey to get in and out of. I once had to back out of the station onto the busy street. I used to double tow a boat behind my 5'er, and then it became critical. Most of the time now, I go to stations I'm familiar with, and sometimes have to wait for a pump I can get into and out of. I've at times had people waiting behind me get upset when I had to back out of a fuel lane. In most cases, take your time, and wave with all 5 fingers.

[Dutch_12078]

rhagfo wrote:
I only worry about the over head, stop and think then need to get tankers into them! :S

How often have you seen the tankers pull up to the gas pumps?

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Veebyes wrote:
You are no wider than any dually around & the toad will follow between the front wheel track & rear wheel track so that is not an issue either. Your wheel base length is no longer than many of the box trucks that are in & out of gas stations with no problem.

Now, if you were towing a great long TT or 5th wheel then you would have challenges with older in town gas stations.

We are 55'LOA & do not plan ahead for specific fuel stations. Don't make an effort to go to truck stops either. Most of the time the stations near the exits are roomy enough. After all we are smaller than the fuel trucks that supply the stations.

Ditto.

Also 55' overall.

Never planned ahead - *except* to *NOT* wait until your gauge is on "E".

BTW - (LOL!) the fuel delivery tankers (usually "doubles") - don't have to pull in to a lane between the pumps..:W

Anyway, look the choice over - if it appears unworkable, drive on.

Been doing that for a lot of years - never ran out of fuel, and only had to skip a station a couple of times...;)

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