Fueling up in the Florida Keys

[Sauced Hog]

Hi all,
Just a bit off topic. We're planning a trip to Key West in the spring and I've been plotting the route using Trip Wizard. My original plan had me needing fuel about half way from Key Largo to Key West. Doing a search I didn't find any stations that looked like an easy in and out for a 41 foot 5th wheel and truck. I decided to fuel up before getting to Key Largo so I wouldn't have to stop. I was curious if anyone here has done this drive and fueled up somewhere along the Hwy 1 route in the keys? If there's a good place, I'd add it in as a back up just in case things don't go to plan. That NEVER happens! LOL
Thanks in advance.
-Mike

[LMagelitz]

This isn’t answering the question, but have you considered an auxiliary tank? We’re doing that for a trip to Alaska, just to give us options.

[Sauced Hog]

This isn’t answering the question, but have you considered an auxiliary tank? We’re doing that for a trip to Alaska, just to give us options.

I've looked at them. We travel about 300 miles a day which requires just one fill-up and I normally fill again before leaving the camp site. I just like to know my options if I get stuck in traffic or have to detour off my planned route.
We're planning a trip to Alaska in 2024. Fuel is a concern. 280 miles is my limit. I'd be close to fumes by then.
-Mike

[LMagelitz]

I've looked at them. We travel about 300 miles a day which requires just one fill-up and I normally fill again before leaving the camp site. I just like to know my options if I get stuck in traffic or have to detour off my planned route.
We're planning a trip to Alaska in 2024. Fuel is a concern. 280 miles is my limit. I'd be close to fumes by then.
-Mike

Understood. You prob have the 36gal tank just like me. We’re planning on ‘24 as well for Alaska. This is overkill, but I’m going with a 110 gal tank in front of the hitch. It will take up 28.5” and be below the tonneau (when rolled back). I think there are also factory tank replacements available, but they hang down lower than factory tank.

[jleonard]

As an FYI, I carry 2x 5-gallon containers of diesel in the back of my truck. I put them both in a plastic container with a lid in case of a spill (but hasn't happened). I also have a funnel in the container.
That's my backup, good for 100 miles.

[JM0397]

Someone posted this a few weeks ago - very helpful: http://www.findfuelstops.com/
It's like Gas Buddy app, but for truck stops specifically.

Here's the search for Miami to Key West:
http://www.findfuelstops.com/?result...2729395#ResTop

[Sauced Hog]

Understood. You prob have the 36gal tank just like me. We’re planning on ‘24 as well for Alaska. This is overkill, but I’m going with a 110 gal tank in front of the hitch. It will take up 28.5” and be below the tonneau (when rolled back). I think there are also factory tank replacements available, but they hang down lower than factory tank.

I'd be interested in more information on the fuel tank. Who are you getting it through? Probably direct if it sits bellow the tonneau. I was looking more in the 50 gal direct flow. 110 gal would add almost 800 lbs to the truck. I wonder if that will have a noticeable impact on fuel mileage? Best of luck on your Alaska trip!
-Mike

[Sauced Hog]

Someone posted this a few weeks ago - very helpful: http://www.findfuelstops.com/
It's like Gas Buddy app, but for truck stops specifically.

Here's the search for Miami to Key West:
http://www.findfuelstops.com/?result...2729395#ResTop

Great info!! Thank you

[traveldawg]

Hi all,
Just a bit off topic. We're planning a trip to Key West in the spring and I've been plotting the route using Trip Wizard. My original plan had me needing fuel about half way from Key Largo to Key West. Doing a search I didn't find any stations that looked like an easy in and out for a 41 foot 5th wheel and truck. I decided to fuel up before getting to Key Largo so I wouldn't have to stop. I was curious if anyone here has done this drive and fueled up somewhere along the Hwy 1 route in the keys? If there's a good place, I'd add it in as a back up just in case things don't go to plan. That NEVER happens! LOL
Thanks in advance.
-Mike

fwiw.... When I went to Key Largo this summer I filled at the TA in Vero Beach which, coming down I-95/TPike, was the cheapest. I put 5 gallons in when in the Keys which was enough to get back to that TA again for cheap fuel. Kind of liking my LB 48 gallon tank and the 33 gallon aux tank. It allows me to decided when/where to fill.

For those Alaska bound folks: I never looked, but I don't think I would like the idea of a 300 mile limit on fuel. My SB 2018 F-350 produced 8 (maybe 9) MPG on a good day and the 34 gallons tank really was only good for about 29 gallons; that's maybe about 250 usable miles - yikes!

and btw.... I was just looking over my fuel records when checking some of this stuff. The Vero TA is $3.946/gal with the TDS fuel card vs. $5.230/gal normally. Wow. In August I paid $4.57 and $4.20 on my visits.

[MccNeo]

Yesterday evening I promised I would look for doable fuel stops on our way from Grassy Key to Key West. Well, I did. Once again, my 5th wheel is 42 feet and I pull with a Ford F350 Long Bed Dually - total length is 59 feet when towing.

We saw diesel available for anywhere from $4.87 to $5.17 at various gas stations.

We did not see any truck stops.

The gas stations we saw that I felt I could maneuver my rig into access the diesel pumps were located near (approximate) mile markers 2, 30, 29, 50, 52, 54, and 55. NOTE: Some of these are tighter than others or may require approaching from a side road or specific direction to access a diesel pump.

The traffic becomes MUCH more congested and difficult to maneuver with a rig at LOWER mile markers. I did not list a mile marker for a station I didn't think was really viable to pull a rig through.

Hope it helps.