I actually just switched to a U-Haul truck with a 40 gallon capacity and (according to my estimates) it will reduce my fuel costs by about $20, mostly because I should be able to safely bypass all but one gas station in Pennsylvania (where I will only need to buy ~7 gallons of gas at $2.75 per gal) and fill up in Ohio for only $2.25 per gal.
I'd like to avoid buying a gas can that I'll probably never use again (I am an apartment dweller and have zero storage). Instead, I'm trying to map a route where I can have about 2 gallons (minimum) left in the tank when I stop to refuel.
You are spending WAY too much time/effort/energy on this!
Even with all this ridiculous planning, your strategy is unlikely to work...
- What if the truck gets 9 MPG instead of 10 MPG?
- Or if the low fuel light comes on with 10 gallons left in the tank?
- Or when gas prices inevitably fluctuate and your pre-determined fuel stops are now more expensive than another?
Wasting a stop to pump only 7 gallons of gas? Running the tank down till you only have 2 gallons left? This is dumb.
Just get in the damn truck, drive until the gas gauge is between 1/4 and 1/8, then stop for gas at whatever gas station the Gas Buddy app says is the cheapest within the next few exits.