Fuel Planning for the Trans-Canada Highway

The Golden Rule

Never pass a gas station with less than half a tank. This rule applies everywhere on the Trans-Canada, but it is absolutely critical in northern Ontario and the mountain sections of British Columbia. Experienced cross-country drivers fill up at every reasonable opportunity, even if the tank is two-thirds full. The price per litre is irrelevant if you run out of fuel 80 kilometres from the nearest station with no cell service.

The Worst Fuel Gaps

1. Northern Ontario: Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay

This is the most notorious fuel gap on the Trans-Canada. The entire 700-kilometre stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay has limited and unreliable fuel options. The critical points:

• Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa (230 km): A few stations exist in small communities along the Lake Superior shore, but hours vary. Fill up in the Soo.
• Wawa to White River (90 km): Fuel in Wawa. There is very little between these two towns.
• White River to Marathon (100 km): White River has a truck stop. Fill up. Marathon has fuel.
• Marathon to Nipigon (160 km): Terrace Bay and Schreiber have stations. Do not skip them.

2. Northwestern Ontario: Thunder Bay to Kenora

The 490-kilometre stretch between Thunder Bay and Kenora passes through Shabaqua, Upsala, Ignace, and Dryden. Ignace and Dryden have reliable fuel. The stretches between them can be 100+ kilometres with nothing. Fill up in Thunder Bay and top off at every opportunity.

3. British Columbia: Kamloops to Hope (Coquihalla)

If taking the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) from Kamloops to Hope, there are no fuel stations for over 200 kilometres. Merritt, which requires exiting the highway, is the only option. This catches a surprising number of people off guard. Fill up in Kamloops.

4. Rogers Pass

There is no fuel at the Rogers Pass summit or within Glacier National Park on the highway. Revelstoke (west side) and Golden (east side) are your options, about 150 kilometres apart. Always enter Rogers Pass with a full tank, especially in winter when closures can have you idling for hours.

5. Saskatchewan and Manitoba

The prairies are better served than northern Ontario, but fuel stops are still spaced further apart than southern drivers expect. Towns like Swift Current, Medicine Hat, and Brandon are reliable. The stretches between them can be 100-150 kilometres. Do not get complacent because the road is flat and easy.

Fuel Price Patterns

Fuel prices on the Trans-Canada follow predictable patterns:

• Cheapest: Alberta (lowest fuel taxes in Canada), large cities in any province (competition drives prices down)
• Most expensive: British Columbia (highest fuel taxes), isolated northern Ontario communities (transportation costs), Banff and national park areas
• Remote premium: Small highway towns in northern Ontario charge 15-30 cents per litre more than cities. Accept it and pay. Running out is more expensive.

Estimated Total Fuel Costs

For a cross-Canada trip (Halifax to Vancouver, roughly 7,100 km):

• Compact car (8 L/100km): ~570 litres = $900-1,100 CAD
• Mid-size SUV (11 L/100km): ~780 litres = $1,200-1,500 CAD
• Pickup truck (14 L/100km): ~1,000 litres = $1,500-1,900 CAD
• RV/motorhome (20-25 L/100km): ~1,400-1,800 litres = $2,200-3,000 CAD

These estimates assume average 2025 fuel prices of $1.50-1.90/litre depending on province. Actual costs will vary.

Jerry Cans and Extra Fuel

For vehicles with small fuel tanks (under 50 litres) or poor fuel economy, carrying a jerry can through northern Ontario is smart insurance. A 10-litre or 20-litre jerry can gives you enough margin to reach the next station even in the worst gaps.

Important safety notes for jerry cans:

• Use only approved fuel containers (CSA or ULC rated)
• Carry them outside the passenger compartment if possible (truck bed, roof rack carrier, trailer)
• If carrying inside the vehicle, ensure the container is sealed and well-ventilated
• Keep away from heat sources and direct sunlight
• Never carry more than 25 litres of extra fuel in a passenger vehicle

Electric Vehicle Charging

As of 2025, driving the Trans-Canada in an electric vehicle is theoretically possible but requires meticulous planning. The charging infrastructure is growing but still has significant gaps, particularly in northern Ontario. Level 3 DC fast chargers are available in most major cities, but the distances between chargers in remote areas can exceed the range of many EVs. If attempting this in an EV, plan every charging stop in advance, have backup plans, and expect the trip to take significantly longer than in a gas vehicle.