I thought I would share with you some ideas for buying less expensive fuel. In the Puget Sound area there are at least two Indian reservations that sell fuel (both diesel and gasoline) at prices that are much less than the surrounding gas stations. Sometimes as much as 30-cents cheaper for diesel.
1. The Swinomish Indians own a casino and Chevron service station just off the north side of State Highway 20 between Mt. Vernon and Anacortes, WA. This station is on your right when you are headed west towards Anacortes as soon as you cross the big bridge over Swinomish Slough. Well marked on google.maps as "Swinomish Casino Chevron". Fuel here is always much cheaper than anywhere else in the vicinity. The casino here also offers RV hookups ($25/night with 50-amp pull-through service).
2. The "Angel of the Winds" casino operated by the Stillaguamish Tribe is located east of I-5 north of Everett, WA. Take exit 210 just after crossing the Stillaguamish River northbound on I-5 (next exit after the Arlington, WA exit and before the Stanwood exit). Fuel here was $4.02 when everyone else was $4.25 two weeks ago. Gasoline is about 6-cents cheaper. RV parking with hookups (electricity only I think) at $15 a day. Many big rigs parked free at the perimeter of the parking lots with slides out. Salmon and chips for $1.49 at the snack bar (excellent!!) with soft drinks free. They do not seem to mind giving it in a "to go" pack for eating back in the RV. Beautiful casino but smells of stale cigarette smoke. We preferred to eat in the rig.
There are almost certainly more of these around the West and while I do support fueling at stations that pay full highway taxes (both state and federal) I'm not a fanatic about it. :P
Good tip for the Pacifiic North West.
I will be taking the Washington State Ferry on Nov 6th to Anacortes, from Victoria, on the way to California.
I checked with the Swinomish Chevron yesterday and their diesel was 3.999, which is the lowest price listed in Washington along the I5. I used the "Truck Master Fuel Finder" (Find The Cheapest Truck Stop - TruckMaster Fuel Finder (http://www.findfuelstops.com)) and indicated Anacortes, WA to Niland, CA and it listed fuel stops along the way.
Prices in Oregon and Arizona are lower than prices in Washington which is lower than prices in California.
I will buy only about 30 gallons at Swinomish to get me to Portand, Oregon, where I will fill up. Then top up at Loves Exit 119, then again in Medford. I will buy just enough diesel in California to get me to Ehrenburg. AZ, where I will fill up on the way to Quartzsite (Lemon Rally) in January.
I used to get fuel in corning CA, (Exit 629 for Casino or 630 for FT or Petro) but it was high there last spring, so I will use Lost Hills (Exit 278) but will check just before I leave.
Does anyone use a different web site for fuel prices?
Fueled up at Indian Reservation on 10-3 in Thackerville, Ok at which time price was .20/.28 c CHEAPER than area stations
Fueled up at same place on 10-23 at which time price had increased .30c and price was .6-.8c HIGHER..
Location is at mile mark 6 on I-35....didn't understand that one....
Jeff, that is exit 1 on I35 in Oklahoma
Wyatt, we are leaving Nov 12 and stop in Springfield Oregon dor appt at AM solar for 8am 14th then to Azusa Calif north of Pasadena at Banks Eng to check out the module on the coach on 16th. Seems we will maybe pass somewhere. Are you going straight to Quartzite or stopping for a while? We are headed to Mexico but would stop to meet if possible.
John
Jimmy,
Yes, exit 1. I still use mile markers....I was a driver in the service and old habits tough to break...
Excellent in planning fuel stops for trucks and RVs is: Find The Cheapest Truck Stop - TruckMaster Fuel Finder (http://www.findfuelstops.com/) Just enter your starting point and destination with any via and it shows the names, prices, mileage and interactive map below. Fun to play with.
I use MapQuest fuel price search a lot for a specific destination but findfuelstops.com is really fast and gives the stops next to the highway for the whole trip.
John, heading south, check the Native American Seven Feathers Truck Stop and Casino at the Canyonville off ramp a few miles below Roseburg, OR on I-5.
Hello everyone......
We just fueld up at Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington Washington. Very nice clean place and the pumps pump fast.
Diesel was $4.02 a gallon with an additional discount of .03 cents as a member of their Totem Club.
Just a followup on pricing.
Regards,
Chris von Ravensberg
Diesel is $3.47 today in Livingston, Texas.
Note that there are two different diesel prices in Oregon.
I previously stated:
"Diesel prices in Oregon and Arizona are lower than prices in Washington which is lower than prices in California."
I hereby retract that statement based on my latest research, it now reads:
"Diesel prices in Washington and Arizona are lower than prices in Oregon or California.
The "Truck Master Fuel Finder" lists Oregon "Permit" prices, not motorhome prices. Commercial truckers pay road tax by weight seperately in Oregon rather than by the gallon. Diesel for motorhomes is officially $0.24 per gallon higher which is the road tax. The actual price difference at the pump seems to be $0.30 or more.
I will top at Swinomish in WA ($ 3.999 ), then top up at Corning CA (exit 630 @ $ 4.119 ), then 25 gallons at Arco in Mecca ( $ 4.089) to get me to Ehrenburg. AZ, where I will fill up on the way to Quartzsite (Lemon Rally) in January.
It used to be possible to purchase fuel in Oregon at "Permit" price, but I am not sure now.
$3.69 here in Dallas today, gas is $3.17