Your first US road trip: one fill-up in 7 steps. When to fill up, reading the price sign (gallons to liters, cash vs credit), 87/89/91 and avoiding diesel; what to do when the pump asks for a 5-digit ZIP code your foreign card doesn't have (prepay inside, tap with your phone, pre-authorization holds); pumping and receipts; New Jersey, where you can't pump your own gas; and charging an EV.
Key facts
- If your foreign card fails at the pump, go inside, give your pump number and prepay an amount.
- Rental cars usually take 87 regular; never pump diesel.
- In remote areas, fill up at half a tank, and keep your receipts for a full-to-full return.
- Price data as of November 6, 2026; check the latest prices before you go.
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Step 1: When to fill up
Step one: decide when to fill up.
In town, it's fine to look for a station when you're down to a quarter tank.
But in the national parks and desert highways of the American West, the next station may be more than 100 kilometers away, and the more remote, the pricier. The rule is simple: fill up before leaving town, and in the wild, fill up at half a tank.
Search for "gas station" in your map app to see distances; some apps also show prices.
Step 2: Read the price sign
Step two: before pulling in, read the price sign by the road.
US gas is priced by the gallon, and one gallon is about 3.78 liters. So divide that four-something price by 3.78 to get the price per liter.
Step 3: Pick the right fuel
Step three: pick the right fuel.
The buttons show the octane rating: 87 is regular, 89 is mid-grade, and 91 to 93 is premium.
Nearly all rental cars are fine with 87 regular. If you're not sure, check inside the fuel door or the owner's manual.
And be especially careful with diesel. The diesel nozzle is usually separate and labeled diesel. Never put diesel in a gasoline car.
Step 4: Paying with a foreign card
Step four: paying. This is where most people get stuck.
Most US pumps are pay first, then pump: you insert or tap your card at the pump, and the screen asks for a five-digit US ZIP code to verify the cardholder. Foreign cards usually don't have a US ZIP code, so you can't get past this step.
There are a few ways around it. The first and most reliable: go into the station's store, tell the cashier your pump number and how much you want to prepay, say 40 dollars.
Second: if your phone has a card in its wallet, look for a contactless symbol on the pump; paying with your phone sometimes skips the ZIP prompt.
Third: some people pad their own postal code digits with zeros to make five digits. It works at some pumps and not others; no guarantee.
One more thing: some pumps place a temporary hold on your card that is only released a few days later. If your card limit is tight, prepay instead.
Step 5: Pump it yourself
Step five: pump it yourself.
Most US gas stations are self-serve; nobody pumps for you.
Put the nozzle in the tank, select your fuel, and squeeze the handle. When it clicks off, the tank is full; don't keep topping it up.
If you prepaid 40 dollars, the pump stops automatically at 40 dollars.
While fueling, turn off the engine, don't smoke, and it's best to leave your phone in the car.
Step 6: Change and receipt
Step six: get your receipt.
If you prepaid too much, say 40 dollars but only pumped 32, go back inside: if you paid cash, you get change; if you paid by card, the difference goes back to your card, though it may take a few days.
Always keep the receipt. If your rental is full-to-full, staff may check your last fuel receipt at return. We covered rental fuel details in Episode 4.
Step 7: The state where you can't pump
Step seven, and the second question.
In New Jersey, the law doesn't let you pump your own gas; a station attendant does it. Just park, tell them the fuel type and how much, and pay.
Oregon used to ban self-serve too, but since August 2023 you can pump your own gas statewide, though some stations still have attendants who will do it for you.
EVs: how to charge
Finally, EVs.
If you rent an EV, there are plenty of fast chargers in big cities and along highways. Many fast chargers let you pay by card or tap right on the machine; Tesla Superchargers use the Tesla app.
Before you go, download the charging apps you'll need, register at home, and check whether your card can be added.
Charge to full before national parks and deserts; heating in winter and climbing mountains drain range fast.
General information only. Rules change; check official notices before you go.
Official sources
- AAA gas prices：https://gasprices.aaa.com/
Routes, parking and gas stations, shown on maps and real footage, one section at a time.
