Visit our Popular Forums

Chief · 09-14-2008, 10:59 AM

In two days (Tuesday) we are scheduled to depart on a two-week trip to visit our daughter in Chesapeake, VA and return via Pigeon Forge, TN to visit relatives. We've been planning this for a few months, and really don't want to cancel.......but, the availability of fuel has me concerned. I have been constantly checking the Flying J website for prices/availability in the afore mentioned states.......all have "low" quantities. I know that I'm going to get raped on the price......I just don't want to be stuck somewhere along the route "out-of-gas."

Appreciate any comments from forum members on the availability of gasoline in GA, SC, NC, and VA.

Thanks in advance,
Chief

lewster · 09-14-2008, 11:04 AM

Chief,

Can't comment directly on the gas situation in the East (I'm currently on the West Coast) but I will tell you that I carry at least one and sometimes 2-5 gallon containers of diesel with me while traversing the long, lonely stretches or 2-lane out here. You just never know when you pull into a station needing a fill-up and it will be closed or out of product!

Love your avatar BTW!

Ike T · 09-14-2008, 03:40 PM

I've only seen 1 station around Atlanta completely out. I did see a station with no mid-grade. The pump I last used had a "10 gallon limit request" sign on it.

Prices in GA are currently "$4.22 or higher" per gallon according to the gasbuddy.com temp map.

I imagine you'll be ok through the Carolinas and Virginia, but I would carry a couple of full 5-gallon gas cans if possible.

Poprivet · 09-14-2008, 04:04 PM

The price only went up $.20 here in the Ocala Florida area and everything points to the prices dropping fast - not much refinery damage reported and things should be up and running in afew days. Crude dropped to below $99 a barrel. If we continue to use restraint and minimize driving the price will continue to drop. Some estimate $3 by Feb.

mbmbstreamer · 09-14-2008, 06:02 PM

Not sure what route you are planning. The Augusta, GA / North Augusta, SC is served primarily by a pipeline from the gulf. Since the pipline is OFF, about 1/3 of the stations are out of fuel. The remainder are pricey...for gasoline. Diesel is still $3.99 per gallon. We were in Columbia, SC yesterday and they have no issues. I think it depends on the primary source for the area.

Matt

ncbambi · 09-14-2008, 06:08 PM

Hendersonville NC - No gas to be found.

willyd · 09-14-2008, 06:11 PM

Check gasbuddy.com.

Sugarfoot · 09-14-2008, 06:18 PM

North Georgia and Chattanooga, TN has fuel right now. I've seen prices from 3.89 to 4.78. Guess it depends on who is supplying the station or who is capitalizing on the situation.

Silverhobby · 09-14-2008, 06:44 PM

I live south of Morganton, NC and many stations are without fuel. The stations that do have it have prices ranging from 4.099 to 4.759 for regular grade. I was on a trip to NE, TN this weekend and if we had waited to get back into NC to get gas, we might not have found any. Best of luck in your travels.

Minnie's Mate · 09-14-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

Guess it depends on who is supplying the station or who is capitalizing on the situation.

I think this is the heart of the issue. The fuel stations are taking advantage and ripping people off.

However, Friday night we stopped at a truck stop to fill up and it was a mad house. It was like a run on the pumps on the civilian side. Everybody was in a panic. I halfway expected someone to pull out a gun (just kidding). The truckers lanes weren't too busy. We paid the going rate for diesel all last week and the gasoline seemed to be about what it was everywhere else on Friday.

On the way home from the End-of-summer-thang-rally, I saw a truck stop advertising diesel for $3.99 for credit and $3.83 for cash. I didn't catch the gasoline price. We paid $4.19 for diesel Friday night.

FordTruck · 09-15-2008, 01:32 PM

Plenty of gas out here in SW Virginia. Only one chain (Sheetz) has been having difficulty.

Minnie's Mate · 09-15-2008, 01:43 PM

Re-fueled this afternoon and paid $4.59. That's up $.40 since Friday night. I only put $50 in in the hopes that the price will start to drop by the end of the week.

Ike T · 09-15-2008, 04:15 PM

Another station without fuel today and a few stations with only 1 flavor available in NW Metro Atlanta.

We're doing the "just enough gas for the day after tomorrow" plan instead of filling up completely.

ncbambi · 09-15-2008, 04:31 PM

Check out Sams Club, they have gas and it is reasonable $3.99/Gal reg today. Gas is spotty in the NC mountains, but Sams buys in bulk. I called our Sams in Hendersonville and they told me they had plenty of gas. So call ahead if you have a Sams Club (you have to belong to the club of course).

mbmbstreamer · 09-15-2008, 05:51 PM

Update in Augusta, GA (I-20). Gasoline is available at 50% of stations for 4.75 per gallon. Diesel is more available and varies from 4.05 / gallon to 4.79.

If you look, you can find it.

Matt

Chief · 09-15-2008, 07:06 PM

I just wanted to thank everyone that replied to my request for fuel info. I have printed all the Flying J locations/prices along our route. I'm hoping to never drop below a half tank before filling up. I searched for a metal gas can (like the old G.I. jerry cans) for a bit today......don't like hauling fuel any distance in the plastic things. Then, I realized that my Honda generators are full.....so there is at least two gallons in case of an emergency.

The Airstream is hitched/loaded in the driveway, and the Dodge 11 mpg hemi TV is fueled. We're off for another adventure tomorrow......if you see me "thumbing a ride" on the side of the Interstate.....lend a brother a hand!

Chief

n2916s · 09-15-2008, 07:30 PM

Drove from Virginia Beach to Nags Head today. Every station had gas. Average price $3.99. No lines, no apparent panic.

Sure, some station owners are going to cash in and apparently Hendersonville suffered mass hysteria but I would be very surprised if this goes on much longer.

mike

Minnie's Mate · 09-16-2008, 11:16 AM

I pass a Race Trac station every morning that does a tremendous business. I use it as my bell weather for what's going on with gas prices because they do so much business that they respond faster to variations in gas prices than any other station I see. Sometimes their prices will go up then back down and back up again in one day because they have had gas deliveries that often.

This morning they were out of gas. However, all of the news reports I have read say the impact of the hurricane is less than was expected and the refineries should be back on line by the end of the week. This should bring the price of gas back down and the availability back up.

On a similar note, the news on the radio this morning reported that the price of crude was below $100/barrel and that should mean gas prices below $3/gallon in the near future. Won't we all get excited about that!

Sugarfoot · 09-16-2008, 05:48 PM

Funny thing, the local news reported last night that the State Attorney and the Department of Commerce was to begin a gas price gouging investigation in East Tennessee today. Several stations I pass frequently all of a sudden stopped displaying their fuel prices. Hmmmmm . . .

If there ever was a fuel shortage in the Chattanooga area because of Ike, it seems to have resolved.

Overlander & Sea · 09-16-2008, 06:57 PM

Thanks for the information. We're planning a trip at the end of this month to Asheville, Smokies, and east Tennessee. I guess I'll bring some 5 gal. cans along.