gas stations

[2bliss]

Hi, I'm planning to drive to wdw for the first time this August from northern NJ. Can anyone tell me what gas stations are on the way so I can purchase gas cards ahead of time. Thanks

 

[backyardponder]

Although I'm sure you have your reasons, I can't imagine why you would want to lock yourself into a particular brand of gas. To me it complicates things.

If you don't (or can't) pay by credit card or debit card, then I'd suggest and stopping at a bank and getting yourself a general (like Visa) gift card so you can use it at any stations. Yes, the bank will charge you a fee, but that would simplify things a lot.

 

[JB2K]

I know where OP is coming from (reasoning to buy pre-pay cards). Every time you "swipe" a credit/debit card at the pump, you are locking-up anywhere up to $100 of "pre-authorization" funds (for up to 72 hours) that could be put to better use during a vacation.

In my trip, last fall, I bought a Walmart gift card (as there were plenty of WM/Murphy USA stations along the route and around WDW). Same for Sam's Club, too.

Gas at Walmart tends to be lower-priced than some of their big competitors.

Also, since Hess is a familiar name to OP, you may want to get one of their pre-pay cards, as they are abundant on the East Coast (as well as on Disney property, which, by the way, is less expensive than most brands outside the gates).

 

[JB2K]

If you don't (or can't) pay by credit card or debit card, then I'd suggest and stopping at a bank and getting yourself a general (like Visa) gift card so you can use it at any stations. Yes, the bank will charge you a fee, but that would simplify things a lot.

As MC/Visa/AmEx Gift Cards go, it specifically says in the fine print on those cards that they cannot be used for fuel purchases.

 

[2bliss]

My school is running a fund raiser using script cards, so I thought this might be a good way to support the school. That is the only reason I was thinking about purchasing the cards prior to my trip. After reading your responses, I will probably reconsider. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[backyardponder]

I didn't realize you can't use gift cards for fuel. Wierd.

For a fundraiser for the school, it sounds like a good idea. Perhaps get some of the cards and, if you don't use them on the trip, you can use them when you get home.

 

[JB2K]

For a fundraiser for the school, it sounds like a good idea. Perhaps get some of the cards and, if you don't use them on the trip, you can use them when you get home.

That's what I thought, too. Oh, well...

 

[dioxide45]

You need to be careful with Visa or MC gift cards. These are really debit cards that act just like your own bank debit card. You can have holds placed on them just like a regular bank debit card if you use pay at the pump option. The best option is just to pay using a credit card or with cash.

I find Shell to have the best gas with the best fuel mileage in our car. We were having issues with gas mileage in our new car. We didn't believe our dealer when they to said we would do better with Shell gasoline, but we were surprised when we actually saw a 2-3 mile per gallon increase in our mileage.

 

[patclairesmom]

There are alot of Shell stations on the way down.

 

[sharadoc]

How about a second checking account with a debit card or separate credit card? We have a MasterCard that is only for our travel expenses on the road. Gas, hotel, food purchases all go on there and is technically the only "credit" we use each trip.

I agree with PPs that you could get stuck needing gas and being unable to find the correct gas station. We have seen plenty of Shell stations and numerous Exxon/Mobil and Hess stations, too.

I would recommend buying an I-95 Exit Guide for your trip. Then you could look though the maps and see what gas stations are listed at each exit.