Concerned about fuel?

[Ray Davis]

I am leaving in less than two weeks to drive to FL with my towed, to pick up my new (to me) bus. From there I'm driving up the east coast to NY, and then west through Denver to CA.

I am concerned about fuel. The news reports are full of news of awful lines, no fuel all over the southeast. I've seen news of fist fights while waiting in line for hours on end for fuel.

So, the question is, how bad is it really? I am driving a Honda Pilot from CA to FL, almost completely down I-10 through what appears to be the worst of this fuel mess. The darn Pilot doesn't get more than about 250-300 miles per tank, so I'm concerned that I will need to fuel up 10 times getting to FL. Normally I wouldn't be concerned, but if fuel is an issue, I am wondering if I should adjust my route?

I've looked online at the Flying J website, as I've planned this trip. They now color-code fuel prices, based upon availability. Almost every station I looked at below Tennesee shows "low fuel" coding, some "critical".

Should I be worried?

Thanks,
Ray

[rfoster]

Ray: We just came back from Atlanta Thursday night and the news media is having a heyday with no gas at some stations and spreading the doom and gloom of the Clinton/Carter mortgage debacle. But if you stay outside the fringes of the major cities (rural areas) there seems to be adequate fuel and gas supplies.

We ran into "no" gas in Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and some in S.C., but then we found fuel whenever we REALLY needed it. We pulled into a Flying J on I 85 going to Atlanta and they wanted to limit me to 25 gallons per purchase. I told them I was paying cash and I always say please and thank you when I am done, I left with 125 gallons. So who knows, I guess there are no guarantees, - go for it. All the politicians in these areas are promising that is a temporary problem and will be corrected in the near future. Probably BS.

In addition to your trip planning with vists to Deb/Bob05 then to the Biltmore and onto the big feed at Mango Mikes, I would suggest that the trip back to I-77 Via I-40 from Asheville would probably be best for you in the new to you bus. The trip up I-26 to Johnson City, Tenn from Ashville is not for the bus with weak brakes or heart. There are plenty of run a way truck ramps going east but west thru Tennessee you can bounce off the walls. It is not so much the altitude as is the grade with no intermissions along the way. A truly beautiful drive between the Tn and NC mountains. If you do decide to take I-26 over Sams Gap just be sure to start at the top in Performance Mode with the transmission in at least 5th or even 4th and keep your speed under 50 mph preferrably 45 with the Jake fully engaged or if you have the retarded retarder placed in the 2nd or 3rd notch and watch the tranny temps. Play it by the seat of your pants with the retarder. You might be at 80 or 85 mph by time you get leveled out.

Have a great trip!

[dale farley]

Ray,

I haven't seen any problem around Pensacola since we've been home. The price of gas and diesel has dropped several cents this week. When we were coming home from Spearfish, the only place we saw a problem with diesel was around Nashville, TN.

I stopped just South and Montgomery and filled up for $3.85 a gal. Jim Keller should be able to tell you about conditions in central Florida. Good luck.

[BrianE]

Ray, You can't trust anybody who says there's mountains in the east. :D

[merle&louise]

Ray,

I own a C store; I have not had any difficulty getting gas deliveries. I am not on an interstate hiway so I can't comment on availability. Shortages usually translate into higher prices, and I haven't seen any increases lately.

It's probably just media BS. Like the weather channel reporting the storm surge; it is blown way out of proportion.

[0533]

Ray, You can't trust anybody who says there's mountains in the east. :D
We have some of the biggest mountains right here in Florida. Our land fills here are about 200' in some cases.

No fuel issues in So florida. I would call Joe at Marathon San Antonio Fl. and make sure he has filled the bus before you arrive. Full tank should get you nearly to Northern Ny.

The difficult window will be that I-10 corridor from San Antonio Tx. to Pensacola about 720 miles, top off in San Antonio and check and see what is out there in between, Have JDUB escort you across the state.

[Ray Davis]

The difficult window will be that I-10 corridor from San Antonio Tx. to Pensacola about 720 miles, top off in San Antonio and check and see what is out there in between, Have JDUB escort you across the state.


Actually my biggest worry is Houston to San Antonio, as I'm in the car at that point, and my range is roughly 250 miles to maybe a high of 300. So, it's not quite as nice as the bus where I can plan on over 1000 miles looking for fuel!

My route is currently all I-10 through that area. I plan at this point to stop more often than normal, just to be cautious.

ray

[dalej]

Might sound a bit like a farmer, but a 5 gallon plastic jug of gas in the back, might be a good idea on this trip.

[0533]

Might sound a bit like a farmer, but a 5 gallon plastic jug of gas in the back, might be a good idea on this trip.
A smart farmer for sure. How about 2, would give another 200 miles or so. Great idea.

[tdelorme]

Actually my biggest worry is Houston to San Antonio, as I'm in the car at that point, and my range is roughly 250 miles to maybe a high of 300. So, it's not quite as nice as the bus where I can plan on over 1000 miles looking for fuel!

My route is currently all I-10 through that area. I plan at this point to stop more often than normal, just to be cautious.

ray

Ray, you will not have any problem finding fuel on the SA to Houston leg. In fact, I'd bet you won't be able to find an "out of gas" sign.

Diesel dropped a little bit again last week. $376.9 at the closest Flying J and 3.89.9 out here in the country.

[Danss]

No problem on gas or diesel on I-10 thru So. Mississippi. Dan

[Ray Davis]

Thanks for the posts and encouragement everyone.

I would consider carrying a jug, however the reason I'm taking the car, is to carry everything I can that went on my previous bus, to the new bus. I am stocked to the gills, and already sent a couple of boxes ahead!

I didn't want to be on the road for three weeks with an empty bus!

Ray

[lewpopp]

Ray, this won't help you get across I-10 but, we just arrived in Florida today and the fuel on 95 going up the eastcoast is plentiful.

Paid cash at each stop and received 9-10 cents off each purchase. I used the FJ card and that was only worth 1 cent. Who knows what the cash discount is if you use a credit card of some one elses, but a FJ credit card is considered cash.

As you all know, the credit card cos charge 2 1/2 percent charge to the oil co to use their card. That's a lot when they have to pay 10 cents pergallon to peddle it to us. Screw these CC cos.

Oh yeah, they were Lewbucks and it hurt. I ain't one of the rich boys. I guess I saved$40-50 on the way down.

[Ray Davis]

Thanks Lew,

Yeah, I hadn't really considered it, but I'm thinking carrying and paying in cash might be a good thing. Better discount, and I won't get hit with a major credit card bill after the trip.

Thanks for the comment.

Ray

[Orren Zook]

I use my AMEX at Flying J's with the RV card and always get the cash price plus 1 cent per gallon, some pumps at 'affiliate' Flying J's seem to have problems with card reading but the clerk at the fuel desk can authorize the pump for your discounts.

I think like Ray in being on the side of caution with available fuel - maybe because my Daddy used to tell me "it doesn't cost any more to use the gas off the top or the bottom of the tank, but it does save on shoe leather".

[rbeecher]

I use my AMEX at Flying J's with the RV card and always get the cash price plus 1 cent per gallon, some pumps at 'affiliate' Flying J's seem to have problems with card reading but the clerk at the fuel desk can authorize the pump for your discounts.

I think like Ray in being on the side of caution with available fuel - maybe because my Daddy used to tell me "it doesn't cost any more to use the gas off the top or the bottom of the tank, but it does save on shoe leather".

Orren, we have paid the same way all the way out from San Antonio, Fl thru El Paso so far. No issues with fuel and a best price of $3.63 for diesel.

Ray, I do not recommend I-10 in the bus if you were thinking on going that route, the cement barrier walls look like they are going to reach out and touch you. Jump up to I-20, it will be much more enjoyable.

Richard Beecher

[bonhall41]

No fuel problems on I-10 through Alabama and FL. We just returned from trip all the way across FL on I-10 and didn't see any signs or encounter any problems either east- or westbound. Checked with family in Mobile and no shortages there either. The only place I know about a problem is in NC. My daughter-in-law flew in from Charlotte yesterday and said she hopes she has enough gas to drive back to Hickory because there were "no gas" signs all over the place. Good luck on your trip and congratulations on your new bus. :D

Bonnie

[Ray Davis]

Thanks for the updates. Richard, I will be in the car on I-10. The bus will be going up to NY from FL, and then back along a more northern route (still in the planning stages).

I understand you'll be in Southern CA late tonight. I know a few of us would love to get a chance to say high, maybe grab a bite to eat tomorrow night, if you have time.

Steve was gonna call and let us know.

Ray

[sawdust_128]

Reports from media outlets state the following:


"Officials say the availability of gas should have improved throughout the state this weekend, but it will still take a week or more for the Southeast to get the larger shipments of gas."

http://news14.com/content/top_stories/default.aspx