How frequent are gas stations with premium on I-40 between NC & AZ? I figure the further west I go, the less likely there'll be some. I'm guessing I'll have 200-220 mile range based on my calculations. (Cargo box, going against prevailing winds, predominantly uphill overall, an average of 19mpg/22mpg without box.) I don't want to be caught out or push whatever luck I might have. I figure I'll just start looking for stations at 1/2 tank. Is there anywhere to be extra cautious?
I would think once you get into the Texas panhandle going west, they will become less frequent. Specifically from Amarillo on, it gets a little more sparse. All through Oklahoma they are pretty good... towns are fairly frequent along I-40.
Since you need premium, I would recommend going to travel plazas/truck stops and avoiding the smaller mom/pop shops.
You should be able to fill up in Elk City, OK and make it to Amarillo.
When are you going? I can ask my roommate who just made a trip from OKC to Phoenix. Also, let me know when you will be coming though OKC if you will have time to meet up or need any hotel/restaurant recommendations.
In the upper elevations fuel will only be 87/88 octane anyway(with 85 on the low end).
I've trekked across that stretch in a carb'd '85 Mustang GT before and not had problems.
This being 15 years since I did that...if you run across a gas station without premium...I'll be shocked. Especially since turbo Subaru's are hot property 5000+ feet up.
Leaving tomorrow. Might make it to OKC tomorrow night. Depends on how much driving we feel like doing. If not, I'll be passing thru Monday. Hopefully my recent maintenance work (& previous maintenance since owning) will hold steady for the trip.
I did come across a station in Texas / Arkansas (not I-40, but interstate) area with no premium. And I was plum out. Took a gallon or 2 of regular to get me to the next exit a few miles out.
Amarillo to Albuquerque is 1500ft elevation change. Flagstaff is another 2000ft.
Once past Amarillo you aren't seeing 91 octane anymore(if you see any there).
Once you are above 4000ft your car won't lose power like everybody else and your MPG may actually improve. If you are on the freeway, steady state 70-80mph...you will have zero problems on a tank of 85. Once you get to where you are going...then you can go back. Just make sure you keep track of where you bought gas between Amarillo and Flagstaff on the way back.
You don't want 85 octane as you are descending Albuquerque to Amarillo.
The octane level is now dropping. Alma, Arkansas had 92 or 91 ethanol free. My mpg's dropped (prior to last fill) to 19.56 @ 75mph. If anyone knows of 93 octane from OKC - west, lemme know.
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