Ca. CNG Trip.....

[sToo&GX]

Planning a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco…… I know these are basic cities, but I am wondering if anyone has made the trip with their Honda or other CNG car??? I found a site that shows stations along the way…… but can I make 190 miles on the freeway on one tank?? I also worry if one station is down, well then what?? Any clues? Any body done this??
sToo

[Curtis]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I have a number of friends and clients that make that trip. Consult cngprices.com (link on top left of this page) and you can see not only current price info, but station info, if are any are out of service etc. I even had Bay Area members at the last Cruise-In here in Lancaster, about 60 mi North of LA.

Calling ahead to any stations in question is always a good idea, but it's definitely doable. If you are driving the newer GX, 190 mi is a piece of cake. 200 seems to be about it for the pre 2006, even less if you are driving most anything else. Just verify any stations that are at your max range for safety sake.

You need to take the 99 North as it's really the only route with enough stations in place. Enjoy the trip and post the experience when you get back.

[Michael]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I have made this trip twice in my 2006 GX from Orange County to Marin County. I used highway 99. PG&E has good stations in Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, and Stockton. You must have a PG&E card to use a PG&E station (it took a month from the time I sent in my application until I got my card). Most PG&E stations only have 3000 psi nozzles, but Fresno does have a 3600 psi nozzle. If you are in a hurry, I have found that the Bakersfield and Merced stations are closer to the freeway than the Fresno station. Also, in Bakersfield, the on-ramp from eastbound White Lane to southbound highway 99 is closed for construction (I prefer to go past the on-ramp, make a U-turn and use the westbound White Lane to southbound highway 99 on-ramp. I found this easier than going south to Panama Lane to get back on highway 99).

By the way, on both trips the weather was cool enough that I didn't have to use the air conditioner much. I usually drive the speed limit. On the first trip with two people and very little luggage we averaged 49 miles per gge (Wow!). On the second trip with four people and the little trunk stuffed to the max, we averaged 42 miles per gge.

Enjoy the trip!

Michael M

[sToo&GX]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

The 99??? I was looking at the maps of CNG stations and it seems that the 101 is a better take….. But I will look at the 99 again now. Curtis thanks for the heads up to call ahead, that was in my plan already…… the route I was looking at along the 101, filling at Oxnard then San Luis Obispo, then San Jose. The 99 looks like it has a lot of stations but most are not accessible to me….. be it private or P&GE only…… But it is good to read that it has been done. I’ll look into the 99 more, I still have a little more than a week till the trip.
Thanks,
sToo

[Curtis]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I would definitely apply for a PG&E card for future use. I have included the Agreement and the App below.

[cnielsen]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I would definitely apply for a PG&E card for future use. I have included the Agreement and the App below.

Remember, you have to meet with a PG&E rep and get them 'watch' you to make sure you know how to use the equipment.

[freedml]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

99 is definitely the way to to -- faster and more CNG stations than 101 or 5. Last time I went to Fresno I used Delano and Tulare.

[kujosan]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

Hi All,

I just made the trip from San Jose to LA, and it was pretty good. I first filled up at SJC @ 4ksi. On the first leg going south, I stopped in Fresno and Bakersfield, averaging 46 and 50 mpg, adjusting for pressure variations (the raw numbers were 53 and 52). After that, I ran into the Tejon pass and LA traffic. At mid-tank, I attached a lip-style spoiler I bought on eBay (just used some automotive masking tape to seal the edges). I refueled at Burbank, which was quite busy I must say... I had to watch the video twice because they flashed the TIN so quickly I missed it the first time. The next refill was at Fresno again. The numbers for Burbank and Fresno were 37 and 43mpg (adjusted), respectively. Finally, I refilled at SJC and got 47 mpg. It was raining hard from Fresno to SJC. The overall mileage came out to be 43mpg (started/ended trip at SJC, 4ksi/4ksi, 45F/49F).

Next time, going south I will probably take I-5 from SJC to Bakersfield. Coming back, that will be less attractive because Bakersfield only fills to 3ksi (I got 3300psi on the meter though). I can post a more detailed log with miles, pressures, and temps if people are interested.

I liked the Fresno station. Nice digital readout. The Burbank one was cool, and the price was under $2/gge but it did not report your final pressure. It only said it filled to 100%. I didn't like Bakersfield too much... but I think that had to do with road work they were having. When that's all fixed, I'm sure it will be quite convenient. SJC is still my favorite.

[Jim Senter]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

sToo - how was your trip up the 101? I will be driving up from LA to Palo Alto and am in the same boat as you. No PG&E card yet... I'm a little concerned about the leg between SLO and San Jose : approx 190 miles, but as I trust Curtis when he says 190 should be a piece of cake with my 2007 GX then I will relax... a little. The only thing left to worry about is whether or not the stations will be operational...

The 99??? I was looking at the maps of CNG stations and it seems that the 101 is a better take….. But I will look at the 99 again now. Curtis thanks for the heads up to call ahead, that was in my plan already…… the route I was looking at along the 101, filling at Oxnard then San Luis Obispo, then San Jose. The 99 looks like it has a lot of stations but most are not accessible to me….. be it private or P&GE only…… But it is good to read that it has been done. I’ll look into the 99 more, I still have a little more than a week till the trip.
Thanks,
sToo

[Jim Senter]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

The PG&E card application instructions state that you have to demonstrate you have been trained in the proper use of refueling a CNG vehicle. The training can be done by one of the PG&E Field Program Managers at a PG&E station, OR you can submit a copy of a CNG fuel training certificate issued by someone else, OR you can write a short description of a training session by an authorized person... Has anyone taken the third option, submitting a description, and received the card? I would love to hear how you did it, and how lengthy your description was.

I would definitely apply for a PG&E card for future use. I have included the Agreement and the App below.

[Michael]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I got the PG & E card by submitting a letter explaining the training that I had received. I mentioned that I had received training from a CNG vehicle salesperson when I test-drove the car, and that I had also watched one of the videos before fueling at a Clean Energy Station. That must have been enough, because I got the card and didn't have to meet anyone in person to show them I knew how to fuel the vehicle.

[Deeta]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I just sent in a note with explaining that I watched the CE video and included one of the PIN receipts that the CE stations print out. I got the card a couple of weeks later.

I have only gone as far as Fresno on the 99 using Santa Clarita, Bakersfield, Delano (closed in November 08 for refit but Tulare is open), Visalia and Fresno. I have a Crown Vic with no extended tanks so about 175 hwy miles is it without pushing it.

[OptimaCNG]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I just finished my 1st CNG trip. I drove from bayarea to orange county. My 1st stop is Hayward->Los Banos-> Bakersfield (Kern school district-better price($1.96) & 3600 psi)->San Fernando->Anaheim. It was a nice trip even take a bit longer than gasoline trip.

I like the Bakersfield Kern school district station because it has regular gasoline station/SmartMart with clean restroom and fast food just a min away, also it close to the freeway ramp. But it was out of service when I head back to Bayarea for that 3600 psi nozzle(10-13-08). I have been Bakersfield PG&E station, it has 3600 psi nozzle but it wasn't/seems to work, only 3000 psi nozzle with 3300 psi fueling pressure.

I love PG&E stations with one price for all stations and most of time are up. I reported an issue for nozzle/station before then their tech call me and follow up within 15 mins and always have great 3800+ psi for 3600 psi pump for most of stations.

I am planning another CNG trip from Bayarea to LA & LV. I sent the Haycock gas card applicant last week, I wish I can have my card ready before I go. I appreciate www.cngprices.com provides accurate and complete information for my trip.

[camryman]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I got the PG & E card by submitting an Email. I filled out the application scanned it into PDF. I then wrote a letter that I received training with CE, Pinnicle and new car dealer. Scanned the letter and attached both to E mail and sent it off. I got the PGE card back in 1 week.

[Curtiss Bradford]

Re: Ca. CNG Trip.....

I just finished a round trip Pasadena to Mill Valley. I drove my Ford F-150 the 101 route and fueled in Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and (took the 280 from San Jose) Cupertino. Coming home I skipped the Santa Barbara stop. (There is also a station in Salinas.) Visa card in So Cal, PG&E card in No Cal. I averaged 17mpg @ 75 mph. I have 20 gal. capacity.
I got the PG&E card, took about 1 month and as for training I submitted a one sentence statement of fact atesting to my ability to operate pumps based on being an owner of a CNG vehicle.