Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Countries with little fuel outlets Countries with little fuel outlets
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
Countries with little fuel outlets
Morning evryone,
I am trying to list all those countries with little fuel outlets availability on the road. I know few which I travelled myself few years ago but the situation might have changed by now.
I don't know Africa for example but I wouldn't like to assume that the whole continent lacks of fuel outlets just because it's a third world zone.
Based on my experience with 300 kms average range (with my 600 Honda Transalp and 18 liters tank) I only had to look for black market fuel or ask local people to sell me some liters out of their own storage in:
  • Bolivia
  • Argentina
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Russia

Would you be happy to add to this list similar countries, considering a range of 300 kms?
Cheers
Last edited by partireper.it; 1 Apr 2015 at 14:27. Reason: mistyped the title
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
If 300 km somewhere in the country without fuel is your only criteria then you might have to add Australia to the list.
Argentina is a little the same. There might be a few routes you can come up with to fit the criteria, but generally we found fuel outlets were more than close enough together. Chile - there is at least one trip where we found it was way over three hundred km without fuel, but two days later the fuel truck arrived.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
Hi Tony,
thanks for your reply. I rode both Australia (2007) all around and had no such problem (not even reaching Cape York). I know Chile very well and you are referring to Paso San Francisco (470 km) to Fiambala gas station. Since it's the only part of Chile where fuel is on a longer distance I blamed it on the Argentineans
What about Africa? Would you have any knowledge about its countries?
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Posts: 216
Mauritania (North-West Africa) can be difficult for petrol. Almost no motorcycles and 95% of vehicles are diesel, so on sometimes you are looking at 400-500km between reliable petrol stops. Now, there will be petrol on the black market in the medium-sized towns (all 3 of them), but getting it is expensive and often time consuming.

Now from what I understand, these days there is pretty reliable petrol on the main coast road. Off that is where most problems are. Twice in Mauritania I had to lay flat on my tank and go slowly for over an hour to sputter into the next city.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
Thanks Jordan for your accurate feedback.
In the meantime my list grew a little with all the info other bikers sent me via email.
I'd happily update it with more countries.

  • Bolivia
  • Argentina
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Russia
  • Australia
  • Tunisia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Mongolia
  • Mauritania
  • Philippines
  • Tajikistan
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by partireper.it View Post
Thanks Jordan for your accurate feedback.
In the meantime my list grew a little with all the info other bikers sent me via email.I'd happily update it with more countries.
  • Bolivia
  • Argentina
  • Cambodia
  • Laos
  • Russia
  • Australia
  • Tunisia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Mongolia
  • Mauritania
  • Philippines
  • Tajikistan
I think you need to set forward some very clear criteria before making such a list public because It all depends where you are in a country (unless the country is small).
I had no problems in Cambodia personally, but it depends on where you are in the country and how hard you look/ ask. If your looking for a gas station then you might as well list the countries that actually have gas stations because most of the world someone has a barrel of fuel in their backyard and everyone in town knows that house is the fuel house but passing by people would never know.
Large countries all have places where no one lives for hundreds of miles, here in Canada we are a first world country but up north finding fuel is hard because far and few between the Innuit live in remote areas and only have on hand what they need for their yearly use.

So what exactly are we talking about here? because any large country if you take the back roads you might run out of fuel.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
Hi Nickdock,
I agree with you about big first world countries having lack of fuel in remote areas as everywhere else. I rode Cambodia in 2006 and remember that sometimes, even though main roads had proper gas station, few of them had little availability and I ended up having to get gas from local people selling it from their drums. The same thing happened when I rode Bolivia, Laos, Argentina, and Russia. But my riding started in 2005 and after 10 years I thought something had changed + I haven't ridden Africa yet so I thought it would be a good idea to brush up this topic about countries I've been and countries I haven't.
Since I am considering all those countries where fuel isn't always guaranteed between 300 kms range on main roads, I am interested in listing here all those countries with a similar situation as those already listed.
Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,479
Laos and Cambodia should not be on that list by now. I have just travelled extensively in those countries and there is absolutely no problem with gas in these places. Even up to the most remote province in Laos - Phongsaly along the approx 240-250 km route from Oudomxai there were many gas stations.

Kazakhstan is a different matter. Some places up to 250-300 km between gas stations and sometimes they where out of gas! And usually low quality gas of 80 octane. My bikes milage went drastically down with that gas...
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Apr 2015
trackdayrider's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 199
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
...
Kazakhstan is a different matter. Some places up to 250-300 km between gas stations and sometimes they where out of gas! And usually low quality gas of 80 octane. My bikes milage went drastically down with that gas...
Cool - I'm crossing Kazakhstan in July -
I can get 230+ miles from a tank (370km) and I'll carry 2 x 5 litre cans giving me a range of about 330 miles (530km)

obviously the range will drop given the quality of fuel and riding

In Russia - the road from Novosibirsk to Vladivostok appears to have frequent fuel stops ??
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,479
Quote:
Originally Posted by trackdayrider View Post
Cool - I'm crossing Kazakhstan in July -
I can get 230+ miles from a tank (370km) and I'll carry 2 x 5 litre cans giving me a range of about 330 miles (530km)

obviously the range will drop given the quality of fuel and riding

In Russia - the road from Novosibirsk to Vladivostok appears to have frequent fuel stops ??
Actually - if all gas stations in Kaz had fuel I think it wouldnt be a problem. But apparently around for example the stretch Aktobe - Aralsk it seemed that they didnt always have.

As for low quality gas - could mostly get gas from pumps that said 90 octane although I am not sure if it was. But one time I had to fill from a pump that said 80 octane.

As for the russian stretch you mention I dont know, havent been there.
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: World
Posts: 69
Thanks SnakeBoy, will update my list with your feedback.
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Apr 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: england
Posts: 36
Fuel
Have traveled a lot in Cambodia ,loas , and even in the north west of thialand you may not find a fuel station but you will most probably no more the 30 ks from a shop with a fuel drum or whisky bottles full of fuel Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fuel, fuel outlets, fuel pump, fuel range

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ethanol in fuel - older bikes information Jake Tech 21 7 Jan 2018 14:53
DR650 - Safari Tank - Starved of fuel, why? DR650Bandit Suzuki Tech 35 22 Nov 2017 04:15
Tales from the Saddle klous-1 Ride Tales 88 4 Feb 2016 20:30
Bolivia - RHD ? fuel ?? security !!!‏ Phil Flanagan 4 wheel Overland Travel 2 7 Dec 2012 18:01
Bolivia - RHD ? fuel ?? security !!!‏ Phil Flanagan SOUTH AMERICA 1 7 Dec 2012 16:05

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:36.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top