Longest without a fuel stop

[leroys73]

I liked the Longest Highway without a Stop Light.

Here is one:  What is the longest two lane, paved numbered highway without a fuel stop.  I know this is not the longest as NV has some.  The one I recently was over was US 85 from New Castle, WY to Lusk, WY.  There was a sign outside New Castle warning no services for 80 or so miles.  There are longer ones. 

You NV people will come up with some good ones.  Maybe AZ (191, maybe) and SE CA has some.  Eastern OR may have something.  West Texas had some over 100 but I haven't found any recently. 

[agentsteel53]

the gas station in Currant, NV may or may not be active.  if not, US-6 between Tonopah and Ely at 162 miles is the longest distance in the lower 48.  if that station is active, the distance is reduced to 90 miles from Tonopah and 72 from Ely.

several of 100 or over exist in California.  there is a road in Monterey or San Benito County branching off US-101 which is signed "next services, 100 miles", as is CA-62 heading east out of Twentynine Palms.  the old 66 alignment between Ludlow and Needles has no gas, and that is 109, unless you detour to Goffs on old old 66, cutting it to 78.

I-70 between Salina and Green River is 110 miles; the longest on an interstate.

US-95 between Jordan Valley, OR and the 140 turnoff is 146 miles, and I believe the gas station is not too far north of there, so maybe 120 or so miles.  There is a sign exiting Jordan Valley, but I do not recall the exact mileage, except that it is over 100.

going internationally, the longest I've ever gone without gas was between El Calafate and Bajo Caracoles, Argentina.  495km according to Google Maps, but our odometer ended up at 504 due to several construction detours.  the gas station in Tres Lagos, about 300km from the more distant end, may or may not exist.  Bajo Caracoles is not reliable (but had gas both times we were there); if not, Perito Moreno is 621km from El Calafate.  that said, most of that road is dirt - but it is the only through route, so it deserves mention!

[leroys73]

the gas station in Currant, NV may or may not be active.  if not, US-6 between Tonopah and Ely at 162 miles is the longest distance in the lower 48.  if that station is active, the distance is reduced to 90 miles from Tonopah and 72 from Ely.

several of 100 or over exist in California.  there is a road in Monterey or San Benito County branching off US-101 which is signed "next services, 100 miles", as is CA-62 heading east out of Twentynine Palms.  the old 66 alignment between Ludlow and Needles has no gas, and that is 109, unless you detour to Goffs on old old 66, cutting it to 78.

I-70 between Salina and Green River is 110 miles; the longest on an interstate.

US-95 between Jordan Valley, OR and the 140 turnoff is 146 miles, and I believe the gas station is not too far north of there, so maybe 120 or so miles.  There is a sign exiting Jordan Valley, but I do not recall the exact mileage, except that it is over 100.

going internationally, the longest I've ever gone without gas was between El Calafate and Bajo Caracoles, Argentina.  495km according to Google Maps, but our odometer ended up at 504 due to several construction detours.  the gas station in Tres Lagos, about 300km from the more distant end, may or may not exist.  Bajo Caracoles is not reliable (but had gas both times we were there); if not, Perito Moreno is 621km from El Calafate.  that said, most of that road is dirt - but it is the only through route, so it deserves mention!

110 on an interstate surprised me. That is one of the few sections of 70 I haven't been on.  Good to know.

Good report on the Argentina road.  I know there are some very isolated places down there.  That must have been a wild trip.

[kphoger]

the gas station in Currant, NV may or may not be active.  if not, US-6 between Tonopah and Ely at 162 miles is the longest distance in the lower 48.  if that station is active, the distance is reduced to 90 miles from Tonopah and 72 from Ely.

several of 100 or over exist in California.  there is a road in Monterey or San Benito County branching off US-101 which is signed "next services, 100 miles", as is CA-62 heading east out of Twentynine Palms.  the old 66 alignment between Ludlow and Needles has no gas, and that is 109, unless you detour to Goffs on old old 66, cutting it to 78.

I-70 between Salina and Green River is 110 miles; the longest on an interstate.

US-95 between Jordan Valley, OR and the 140 turnoff is 146 miles, and I believe the gas station is not too far north of there, so maybe 120 or so miles.  There is a sign exiting Jordan Valley, but I do not recall the exact mileage, except that it is over 100.

going internationally, the longest I've ever gone without gas was between El Calafate and Bajo Caracoles, Argentina.  495km according to Google Maps, but our odometer ended up at 504 due to several construction detours.  the gas station in Tres Lagos, about 300km from the more distant end, may or may not exist.  Bajo Caracoles is not reliable (but had gas both times we were there); if not, Perito Moreno is 621km from El Calafate.  that said, most of that road is dirt - but it is the only through route, so it deserves mention!

How long was your stretch of highway 2 in northern México?

[agentsteel53]

How long was your stretch of highway 2 in northern México?

nothing between Sonoyta and San Luis Rio Colorado.  203km.

[roadfro]

the gas station in Currant, NV may or may not be active.  if not, US-6 between Tonopah and Ely at 162 miles is the longest distance in the lower 48.  if that station is active, the distance is reduced to 90 miles from Tonopah and 72 from Ely.

According to a coworker of mine who's mother lives up 379 from Currant, nothing has really been active in Currant for some time. So that 162-mile distance stands.

[DandyDan]

I don't specifically know what the distance is, except that I know it's well over 100 miles, but from the east end of El Paso, TX on US 62-180 to Whites City, NM (the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park), there are no gas stations, and no warning, as far as I remember (I was there in 2009), at either end.  Lots of dispossessed gas stations, however.

[wxfree]

Leaving Sanderson, Tx east on US 90, there's a sign that says "no services next 121 miles."  I always wanted to photograph that sign, but haven't.  It's referring to the next city, Del Rio.

In the past, Sanderson was surrounded by such signs, with a sign for 64 miles going north on US 285 and one for 55 miles day and 80 miles night going west.  The gas station in Marathon closed, and the westbound sign was changed to 80 miles.  As I recall, only the eastbound sign remains.

[roadman65]

You know what amazes me, is the fact FDOT considers 7 miles to be a big deal on I-275 between Tampa and St. Petersburg across the Howard Franklin Bridge.

One even better, there is a sign warning US 98 motorists that there is 3 miles without gas across the Pensacola Bay Bridge by FDOT as well.

Yet in Holopaw, FL there is no mention that it is over 30 miles without fuel on US 441.  Figure that one out.

[Molandfreak]

The Dalton Highway in AK has no fuel services anywhere but Coldfoot and Deadhorse. I was surprised to find out that the stretch between Fairbanks and Coldfoot is actually slightly longer than the Coldfoot to Deadhorse stretch, but since some of the area north of Fairbanks is developed, I wouldn't doubt that the last chance for gas is actually north of Fairbanks.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Fairbanks,+AK&daddr=Coldfoot,+AK&hl=en&sll=64.960766,-149.282227&sspn=5.456958,14.304199&geocode=FZJY3QMd2wYy9ympZf1nT0UyUTE69_4J4AXYsw%3BFdgwAgQdgXoM9yk1GK0W58AoUTEnSK6DZIqmUA&oq=coldf&t=h&mra=ls&z=7

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Coldfoot,+AK&daddr=Deadhorse,+AK&hl=en&sll=68.7298,-149.293865&sspn=4.678499,14.304199&geocode=FdgwAgQdgXoM9yk1GK0W58AoUTEnSK6DZIqmUA%3BFYgrLwQdOa8m9yl_lCaZAHcgUTFZHCjnGo0iHQ&oq=deadhors&t=h&mra=ps&z=6

http://www.alaskageographic.org/uploads/pdf/dalton-vg2011.pdf

This is gravel for a large part of it's length, but it will be fully paved in the long term.

[kphoger]

The gas station in Marathon closed,

Aw, dang!  I have a fond memory of that gas station.
(Part 1) The pumps had actual reeled meters (numbered wheels) for the gallon and dollar amounts.
(Part 2) The other person filling up at the same time made a living of tagging mountain lions.

[kphoger]

One even better, there is a sign warning US 98 motorists that there is 3 miles without gas across the Pensacola Bay Bridge by FDOT as well.

I'm sure that one has to do with its being on a bridge.  If you run out of fuel halfway across and are in poor physical condition to walk, you're quite screwed.  You can't exactly pull over into the grass and wait.

[Molandfreak]

Also if proposed highways count, there's a possibility that the AK 2 extension to Nome won't have any services between Nome and Manley-Hot Springs, about 300 miles

It will be gravel, though.

[NE2]

Also if proposed highways count, there's a possibility that the AK 2 extension to Nome won't have any services between Nome and Manley-Hot Springs, about 300 miles

Not even in Tanana?

[Molandfreak]

Also if proposed highways count, there's a possibility that the AK 2 extension to Nome won't have any services between Nome and Manley-Hot Springs, about 300 miles

Not even in Tanana?

It's possible, but it probably won't happen for a few years after the road reaches there. That cuts about 40 miles off! That said, it's also possible that Council could grow a little with the new road, too. That would take off 75 miles. So that would be a slightly-less-whopping 205-210 mile stretch without services. With only a station in Tanana, it would be about 260 miles, assuming a route which doesn't veer too far out of the way.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

When I read the title of this thread, the first thing that came to my mind was the Transtaiga road in QC. Coming from the South on James Bay road, there is no services in +300 miles.

[oscar]

The Dalton Highway in AK has no fuel services anywhere but Coldfoot and Deadhorse. I was surprised to find out that the stretch between Fairbanks and Coldfoot is actually slightly longer than the Coldfoot to Deadhorse stretch, but since some of the area north of Fairbanks is developed, I wouldn't doubt that the last chance for gas is actually north of Fairbanks.

There is a truck stop on AK 2 about 10 miles north of Fairbanks, which is the last gas for 146 miles on AK 2 until Manley Hot Springs.  In addition, there's a truck stop on the Dalton at the Yukon River, about halfway (~120 miles) between the northernmost gas in the Fairbanks area and the next gas in Coldfoot.

BTW, while there may be plans to pave the Dalton Highway, much of the cheap chip seal pavement already there has disintegrated back to gravel.  So it'd be a challenge for the DOT to add new pavement faster than the old pavement disappears.  And while AK 2 is paved east of the Dalton Highway junction, most of AK 2 west of the junction is unpaved and likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

[Molandfreak]

The Dalton Highway in AK has no fuel services anywhere but Coldfoot and Deadhorse. I was surprised to find out that the stretch between Fairbanks and Coldfoot is actually slightly longer than the Coldfoot to Deadhorse stretch, but since some of the area north of Fairbanks is developed, I wouldn't doubt that the last chance for gas is actually north of Fairbanks.

There is a truck stop on AK 2 about 10 miles north of Fairbanks, which is the last gas for 146 miles on AK 2 until Manley Hot Springs.  In addition, there's a truck stop on the Dalton at the Yukon River, about halfway (~120 miles) between the northernmost gas in the Fairbanks area and the next gas in Coldfoot.

BTW, while there may be plans to pave the Dalton Highway, much of the cheap chip seal pavement already there has disintegrated back to gravel.  So it'd be a challenge for the DOT to add new pavement faster than the old pavement disappears.  And while AK 2 is paved east of the Dalton Highway junction, most of AK 2 west of the junction is unpaved and likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

I suspected that stop north of Fairbanks

Yes, it would be quite a challenge for AKDOT (?) to maintain 500 or so miles of paved road, atop permafrost... Judging by your avatar, you must know a lot more about the Dalton than I do, so I'll leave it to the expert

[cpzilliacus]

Yes, it would be quite a challenge for AKDOT (?) to maintain 500 or so miles of paved road, atop permafrost... Judging by your avatar, you must know a lot more about the Dalton than I do, so I'll leave it to the expert

I would think that the frost damage on the Dalton would be pretty bad, given that much of the highway runs on tundra. 

Though if they build the subgrade deep enough, I suppose anything is possible.

[leroys73]

Leaving Sanderson, Tx east on US 90, there's a sign that says "no services next 121 miles."  I always wanted to photograph that sign, but haven't.  It's referring to the next city, Del Rio.

In the past, Sanderson was surrounded by such signs, with a sign for 64 miles going north on US 285 and one for 55 miles day and 80 miles night going west.  The gas station in Marathon closed, and the westbound sign was changed to 80 miles.  As I recall, only the eastbound sign remains.

I am glad you mentioned the Sanderson-Del Rio.  I knew there was a place in Texas I had drive years ago over 100 miles as I remember seeing a sign but I could not remember where or how far.  Thanks, my life has one less problem to solve.

[leroys73]

I don't specifically know what the distance is, except that I know it's well over 100 miles, but from the east end of El Paso, TX on US 62-180 to Whites City, NM (the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park), there are no gas stations, and no warning, as far as I remember (I was there in 2009), at either end.  Lots of dispossessed gas stations, however.

I turned off US62 onto 54 to go to Van Horn.  That is a far piece from Whites City on a motorcycle with about 150 mile range but I made it without hitting reserve.  It is about 100 miles plus it is a lot of down hill.  Your above route following 62 to El Paso is about 125 miles, Whites City to Quick Silver Exxon on Montana if it is still there or was there when you went through.  One must remember there is only one gas station in Whites City.  At least the last time I was there.  Who knows it may be closed.  As you said there is no warning.

[oscar]

Yes, it would be quite a challenge for AKDOT (?) to maintain 500 or so miles of paved road, atop permafrost... Judging by your avatar, you must know a lot more about the Dalton than I do, so I'll leave it to the expert

I would think that the frost damage on the Dalton would be pretty bad, given that much of the highway runs on tundra. 

Though if they build the subgrade deep enough, I suppose anything is possible.

Much of the road is built atop a deep gravel roadbed, to try to protect the permafrost underneath.  In Prudhoe Bay, the gravel is about eight feet deep (the terrain is totally flat, so none of that is to even out dips in the ground).  Sometimes, foam insulation is added for further protection.  But none of this is a complete fix.

Some other far northern highways (like a segment of the Alaska Highway in the Yukon, and Chena Hot Springs Road east of Fairbanks) use heat pipes to refrigerate the permafrost under the road.  These pipes are similar to the ones on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, to keep the hot oil from melting the ground under the stilts that elevate the pipeline above the ground.

[kkt]

I liked the Longest Highway without a Stop Light.

Here is one:  What is the longest two lane, paved numbered highway without a fuel stop.  I know this is not the longest as NV has some.  The one I recently was over was US 85 from New Castle, WY to Lusk, WY.  There was a sign outside New Castle warning no services for 80 or so miles.  There are longer ones. 

You NV people will come up with some good ones.  Maybe AZ (191, maybe) and SE CA has some.  Eastern OR may have something.  West Texas had some over 100 but I haven't found any recently. 

On the Yellowknife Highway, Fort Providence to Yellowknife, 315 km (196 miles).

[oscar]

On the Yellowknife Highway, Fort Providence to Yellowknife, 315 km (196 miles).

There supposedly are two gas stations in Rae, about 6 miles off the highway and about 130 miles north of Fort Providence.  I didn't wander that far off the highway, and didn't see anything closer to the highway. 

[kkt]

On the Yellowknife Highway, Fort Providence to Yellowknife, 315 km (196 miles).

There supposedly are two gas stations in Rae, about 6 miles off the highway and about 130 miles north of Fort Providence.  I didn't wander that far off the highway, and didn't see anything closer to the highway. 

Are there two?  I had heard one, and that it might or might not be open any given day.  I got enough gas not to need to turn off the highway and find out.