Route planning and fuel stops

Most overlanding problems begin at the planning stage: legs that are too long, a pump that is closed, or a pass that is shut. A good plan is simple, has margins and has a way out.

These notes are for Jimny trips in India. Maps show distances, but not how slow the road really is, so add margin to every leg. Conditions change, so check current information close to the date.

By Gypsy Overlanding Family ®

1Mapdistance andtime2Fuelpumps andrange3Margindaylight,weather4Sharetell someone
Plan in four steps: map it, check fuel, add margin, and share the plan.

The short answer

Plan each day by realistic driving time, not map distance, and keep a generous margin. Know where every fuel stop is and whether it is open, end days in daylight, have an alternative route, and tell someone your plan.

Do

  • Plan by time, not just distance
  • Know every fuel stop, and check it is open
  • End each day well before dark
  • Keep a margin for weather and closures
  • Share the plan and check in

Do not

  • Trust map times on hill and trail roads
  • Plan to the last litre of fuel
  • Plan long days back to back
  • Go with only one route in mind
  • Leave without telling anyone

Plan by time, not distance

Map apps give times that suit tarmac. Hill roads, trails, checkposts, traffic and photo stops make real travel much slower, so add a generous margin. A realistic day on mixed roads is often shorter than people expect, and a day of hard trail can be very short.

  • Add time for fuel, food, rest, checkposts and surprises
  • Plan the hardest part for the morning, with daylight and energy in hand
  • Leave a rest day or a buffer day on longer trips
  • Be ready to cut a day short or change the plan

Fuel stops

The Jimny has a 40 litre tank. Tested economy of about 10 to 13.5 km/l gives roughly 400 to 540 km on a full tank, and less when loaded, in low range or at altitude.

Range from a full 40 litre tank, with a 10% reserve
Economy (km/l)Full tankUsable range
8320 km288 km
10400 km360 km
12480 km432 km
14560 km504 km
  • List every pump on the route, with the distance between them
  • Check that they are open and have fuel, because remote pumps can run dry
  • Fill up whenever you pass a pump on remote legs
  • Use the worst-case economy, not the claimed figure. See long-range fuel

Daylight, weather and closures

  • Plan to arrive in daylight, and check sunrise and sunset
  • Check the weather for the route and the days around it. See seasons and weather
  • Check for road closures and landslides, especially in the monsoon and after snow
  • Check permits and rules for each region. See permits and rules by region

Backups and sharing

  • Have a second route or a place to stop if the first is shut
  • Know where the nearest town, fuel and help are on each leg
  • Download offline maps. See navigation apps
  • Share your plan and check-in times with someone at home

Pick your leg

Tap the kind of day to see how to plan it.

Tap a day (6 to try)

Plan for a Highway day

Plan
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Details
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Common mistakes

  • Trusting map times. Hill and trail roads are much slower.
  • Planning long days back to back. Fatigue builds.
  • Assuming pumps are open. Check ahead.
  • Ignoring daylight. Arriving in the dark adds risk.
  • Having one route only. Closures happen.
  • Not sharing the plan. No one will know to look.
A final word. Plans are only as good as their margins. This guide is general information. Check conditions close to your date, leave plenty of buffer, and tell someone where you are going.