#2 Diesel in California

[TnK]

I’m starting to plan our fuel stops (guessing at about 300 mi/tank) for our upcoming trip which will take us through California from the Oregon border to I-10.
Knowing how ahh…”climate concerned” they are there I’m wondering if good old fashioned #2 diesel is still readily available or if I will have no choice but to use something like B20 (which my owners manual says to avoid if possible).

I’m hoping there’s a few members here that have recently traveled through there and knows perhaps which stations to avoid or where the best places are to fill up.

Thanks all and…Happy Motoring!!

[SloPoke]

Save yourself a ton of $$$$$ and take the route that bypasses the high prices (taxes) in Califorrnia...

This morning, we came back across the state line into Arizona where Diesel is 3.77 here in AZ. 40miles away in Needles California it is 5.99 at Valero 5.99 at Chevron and 5.79 at Shell.

[norty1]

Many of our routes are influenced by state fuel taxes!

[Midnightmoon]

Forum member LuckyDuck is from the northern California region. He may be able to shed some light on diesel availability, etc.

[bluztoo]

$4.19 here near Yuma.

[Florida Ranger]

I would sell my truck and ride a Greyhound Bus before I would drive it through California. There has to be another route for you to use to get to I-10, avoid California at all cost . Or you will Pay through the nose for Everything you buy in California……

[RogerR]

If you need gas or diesel prices in advance of a trip Gasbudy App will pull up prices that are mostly posted by users in Reg., Mid, etc. and Diesel.

Not perfect but at least gets you a preview.

[watchout]

Originally Posted by Florida Ranger

I would sell my truck and ride a Greyhound Bus before I would drive it through California. There has to be another route for you to use to get to I-10, avoid California at all cost . Or you will Pay through the nose for Everything you buy in California……

I guess I don't understand this logic. If you buy 100 gallons in CA and it cost $1/gal more, so you spent maybe an extra $100. Given that you are driving a $200K motorhome and probably spending at least $50/night to park it, the extra $100 seems trivial. I guess I don't understand the hate, CA does things their way and other places do things their way, be happy that you get to choose your path, live and let live. {End of soapbox}

[LuckyDuck]

You’re welcome to bypass California to save a bit on diesel — totally up to you. But you won’t have any problems finding quality diesel unless you are really going remote. In that case, check Gas Buddy or a map app to plan your stops.

Yeah, our fuel is higher — it’s one of the drawbacks of driving here. In our travels, I’ve found good and bad in states just about everywhere. You might save a hundred bucks or so and sidetrack through Nevada desert, but personally i think traveling through California’s coastal highways, through the redwoods or in the Sierras is worth the cost. YMMV.

[22Seneca]

Am finishing up a trip from Seattle to the Palm Desert and back. Have been up and down I-5 and 99, as well as I-10 and I-15 in the desert. Plenty of truck stops and regular gas stations with Diesel #2. You'll sometimes see B20 advertised as "renewable". Diesel Prices are anywhere from about $4.65-$5.15, the latter being at truck stops with no discount card.

Pilot/Flying J is where we have filled a couple of times and didn't see B20 there, I think at most 5% which is the standard blend. Cities are so populated in CA there are tons and tons of choices.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

Yeah, our fuel is higher — it’s one of the drawbacks of driving here. In our travels, I’ve found good and bad in states just about everywhere. You might save a hundred bucks or so and sidetrack through Nevada desert, but personally i think traveling through California’s coastal highways, through the redwoods or in the Sierras is worth the cost. YMMV.

You are absolutely correct to say that it would be a really worthwhile trip to take the extra time and RV that California Coastline route. If that is what the OP is asking, then that is going to be an awesome trip (even considering the traffic issues along that route in SF and LA/OC/SD - that is another topic by itself) as I can say I have done this a few times.

That trip truly deserves at least three weeks to be able to take in all the sights, sounds, smells and views. It is much different than many of my other trips up Interstate-5 from San Diego to the Redding area.

But if the OP is just looking at the various fuel availability options to bust-butt from the Oregon border on a fast run to Interstate-10 - I'd still have to scratch my head why!

right now, diesel is stupid-expensive, even at bulk-wholesale cost in California - and that is before the CA fuel taxes are added.

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

You are absolutely correct to say that it would be a really worthwhile trip to take the extra time and RV that California Coastline route. If that is what the OP is asking, then that is going to be an awesome trip (even considering the traffic issues along that route in SF and LA/OC/SD - that is another topic by itself) as I can say I have done this a few times.

That trip truly deserves at least three weeks to be able to take in all the sights, sounds, smells and views. It is much different than many of my other trips up Interstate-5 from San Diego to the Redding area.

But if the OP is just looking at the various fuel availability options to bust-butt from the Oregon border on a fast run to Interstate-10 - I'd still have to scratch my head why!

right now, diesel is stupid-expensive, even at bulk-wholesale cost in California - and that is before the CA fuel taxes are added.

You don’t need to tell me about the cost of diesel — with a 50-gallon auxiliary tank, 79 gallons makes a big dent in the wallet. But what are you gonna do? If the OP’s shortest route is through California, the extra fuel cost may be a wash compared to what it will be in the vast wasteland of alternative states.

[Stavman]

You can drive thru Nevada to AZ, nice drive, not sure on the snow though, but sisques on I5 could be a challenge too

[TnK]

Thank you all for your replies but perhaps I didn't make myself clear (I was trying to avoid this discussion turning into a political debate).
I’m not interested in the price of fuel (because we’re not starting our trip until mid April anyway). I’m interested in the availability of good old fashioned #2 diesel.
Again…my owners manual specifically states to avoid the use of B20 fuel or greater. Hence I only want to put #2 diesel in the tank. $5-$6/gallon…I don’t care. As a former OTR driver (now retired) I’ve driven the routes through the state a multitude of times and always enjoyed the ride and the scenery…so I’m familiar with “how they do things”
If not for the fact that of our kids lives in California City and we’ll be visiting him for a few days prior to heading East on I-10 I’d avoid the state at all costs.

I have the gas buddy app but cannot see where any location specifies the grade of diesel they have. Guess that part will be hit or miss.

Agsin…thank you all for your replies.

[TaftCoach]

I have always chosen scenery over fuel prices.

[LuckyDuck]

Judging by the difficulty reserving RV park and camping sites in California, clearly there are plenty who have no problem traveling through the state — fuel prices or politics notwithstanding. So, no argument here from those who want to avoid it at all costs. Enjoy the journey!