Let's face it. It cost too much. But we all need it. I don't know about you, but my goal is to pay as little for it as possible. Many people ask me if there will be any problems getting fuel on the Alaska Highway? With a little planning you should not have any problems.
Generally, fuel stations are available no further than 75 miles apart on the Alaska Highway. Both gasoline and diesel are sold at almost all of the stations. There are some sections of the Alaska Highway that the stations are further apart and some highways where the fuel stations are sparse. Your TrekMaster will warn you before traveling into these areas. All fuel stops are identified in a publication we provide at the beginning of the tour called "The Tour Guide". This should help you from running low on fuel as it allows you to plan all of your fuel stops.
Diesel fuel is available at pretty much all fuel stations. You will occasionally see a station inside a big city that only sells gasoline. But there are plenty of nearby stations that sell diesel. All diesel fuel sold in Alaska and Canada is the ultra low Sulphur blend required by modern diesel engines. All modern diesel engines also require the addition of DEF. You will be able to purchase DEF along our route in Dawson Creek, Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Anchorage. It may be available in some of the smaller cities; I would not count on it. I have experienced a shortage of DEF in the "lower-48" lately due to supply chain issues. My recommendation is to bring a backup supply of DEF in case it is not available on the tour.
TIP: When fueling your diesel engine in Canada, be very careful to select the correct pump. The standard in the "Lower 48" is to use green handled pumps for diesel. In Canada, it is common to see black handled pumps used for diesel. But, not every station follows these color codes. BE VERY CAREFUL TO SELECT THE CORRECT PUMP FOR DIESEL. I always check the pump for the words "DIESEL" on it and follow the hose to the handle to make sure I am only pumping diesel.
Your TailGunner always carries 5 gallons each of gasoline and diesel for the unlikely case where a tour guest runs out.
TIP: Don't wait until your near empty to fuel up. It is common for fuel stations to be closed due to generator problems, no fuel delivery, the help didn't show up for work today, etc. Plan to fuel up when your gauge shows half a tank to avoid these kinds of problems.
All of the larger cities have propane re-fill stations.
TIP: Save your propane with an electric heater. It is often cool at night in Alaska and Canada (even during the summer). Bring a UL approved electric heater to save on propane use. Many times an electric heater is all you need to stay comfortable.
Your TrekMaster knows where the less expensive fuel is sold and will alert you all along the way as to where you can save a few pennies per gallon. You can also save by planning to fuel up in the larger cities (bypassing the smaller cities with more expensive fuel).
TIP: Don't plan on fueling up early in the morning. Most stations don't open until 8-9 am. If you need fuel, it is best to fuel up before parking at the campground for the night.
It is extremely rare for fuel stations in Alaska and Canada not to take credit cards. Though, some stations do not take American Express. But, all the other credit cards are accepted; Visa, MasterCard, Discover, etc.
TIP: Have some backup cash (US and Canadian) just in case their credit card machine is not working.
In Canada, fuel is dispensed in liters. You can easily convert liters to gallons using this formula:
Liters / 3.78 = Gallons
So, If you purchased 47 liters of fuel, that would be (47 / 3.78 = 12.4 gallons).
And if you wanted to convert gallons to liters use this formula:
Gallons X 3.78 = Liters
Generally, fuel stations are available no further than 75 miles apart on the Alaska Highway. Both gasoline and diesel are sold at almost all of the stations. There are some sections of the Alaska Highway that the stations are further apart and some highways where the fuel stations are sparse. Your TrekMaster will warn you before traveling into these areas. All fuel stops are identified in a publication we provide at the beginning of the tour called "The Tour Guide". This should help you from running low on fuel as it allows you to plan all of your fuel stops.
Diesel fuel is available at pretty much all fuel stations. You will occasionally see a station inside a big city that only sells gasoline. But there are plenty of nearby stations that sell diesel. All diesel fuel sold in Alaska and Canada is the ultra low Sulphur blend required by modern diesel engines. All modern diesel engines also require the addition of DEF. You will be able to purchase DEF along our route in Dawson Creek, Whitehorse, Fairbanks and Anchorage. It may be available in some of the smaller cities; I would not count on it. I have experienced a shortage of DEF in the "lower-48" lately due to supply chain issues. My recommendation is to bring a backup supply of DEF in case it is not available on the tour.
TIP: When fueling your diesel engine in Canada, be very careful to select the correct pump. The standard in the "Lower 48" is to use green handled pumps for diesel. In Canada, it is common to see black handled pumps used for diesel. But, not every station follows these color codes. BE VERY CAREFUL TO SELECT THE CORRECT PUMP FOR DIESEL. I always check the pump for the words "DIESEL" on it and follow the hose to the handle to make sure I am only pumping diesel.
Your TailGunner always carries 5 gallons each of gasoline and diesel for the unlikely case where a tour guest runs out.
TIP: Don't wait until your near empty to fuel up. It is common for fuel stations to be closed due to generator problems, no fuel delivery, the help didn't show up for work today, etc. Plan to fuel up when your gauge shows half a tank to avoid these kinds of problems.
All of the larger cities have propane re-fill stations.
TIP: Save your propane with an electric heater. It is often cool at night in Alaska and Canada (even during the summer). Bring a UL approved electric heater to save on propane use. Many times an electric heater is all you need to stay comfortable.
Your TrekMaster knows where the less expensive fuel is sold and will alert you all along the way as to where you can save a few pennies per gallon. You can also save by planning to fuel up in the larger cities (bypassing the smaller cities with more expensive fuel).
TIP: Don't plan on fueling up early in the morning. Most stations don't open until 8-9 am. If you need fuel, it is best to fuel up before parking at the campground for the night.
It is extremely rare for fuel stations in Alaska and Canada not to take credit cards. Though, some stations do not take American Express. But, all the other credit cards are accepted; Visa, MasterCard, Discover, etc.
TIP: Have some backup cash (US and Canadian) just in case their credit card machine is not working.
In Canada, fuel is dispensed in liters. You can easily convert liters to gallons using this formula:
Liters / 3.78 = Gallons
So, If you purchased 47 liters of fuel, that would be (47 / 3.78 = 12.4 gallons).
And if you wanted to convert gallons to liters use this formula:
Gallons X 3.78 = Liters
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