NC500 Petrol Stations – Every Fuel Stop on Scotland's North Coast 500

If there’s one thing Janette and I have learned from years of driving around the Scottish Highlands, it’s that fuel planning is not optional. The NC500 passes through some of the most remote and beautiful scenery in Britain, but beauty doesn’t fill your tank – and the nearest petrol station might be forty miles away on a single-track road with no mobile signal.

This guide covers every petrol station on or near the NC500 route, organised by section so you can plan your refuelling stops before you set off. I’ve also included the longest gaps between stations, EV charging information, and the practical tips I wish someone had given me before my first trip around the north coast.

The NC500 (North Coast 500) is a 516-mile circular route starting and ending at Inverness Castle, looping around the northern Highlands through Caithness, Sutherland, Wester Ross, and Easter Ross. If you’re unfamiliar with the route, my Scottish Highlands guide has a full overview. For general driving advice, see my guide to driving in Scotland.

Map of NC500 petrol station locations

Here is a map of all the petrol stations available on the NC500 route. Use this alongside the section-by-section guide below to plan your fuel stops.

The longest gaps between fuel stops

Before diving into the full station list, here are the stretches where you’re most likely to get caught out. These are the sections where planning really matters:

• Thurso to Durness (approximately 80 miles via the A836/A838) – Only Bettyhill and Tongue offer fuel between these two towns. If either of those stations is closed, you’re looking at a very long drive on a very empty tank.
• Durness to Ullapool (approximately 100 miles) – Fuel is available at Kinlochbervie (short detour off route), Scourie, and Lochinver (detour). That’s three stations spread across a hundred miles of winding single-track road. Miss them and you’re in trouble.
• Ullapool to Gairloch (approximately 56 miles via the A832) – Only Laide has fuel between these two towns, and it’s a small community filling station. Check their opening hours before relying on it.
• Gairloch to Applecross (approximately 50 miles via Kinlochewe and Shieldaig) – Kinlochewe has a station, but after that there’s nothing until Applecross village itself.

My rule of thumb: never pass a petrol station on the north or west coast without topping up if your tank is below half. The east coast is far better served, but even there, don’t take fuel availability for granted outside of Inverness, Tain, and Dingwall.

Inverness – start and finish

Inverness is the start and end point of the NC500, and your best opportunity for cheap fuel. Supermarket stations here consistently offer the most competitive prices on the entire route, so leave Inverness with a full tank regardless of which direction you travel. If you’re looking for things to do in the city before setting off, have a look at my free things to do in Inverness guide.

East Coast – Inverness to Wick

The east coast is the best-served section of the NC500 for fuel. The A9 runs north through a string of towns, each with at least one filling station. You won’t have any problems finding fuel along this stretch. If you’re driving clockwise, this is the easy part – enjoy it while it lasts.

Tain has three filling stations and is the last town with genuinely competitive fuel prices before you head further north. The Asda is often the cheapest on the entire route outside of Inverness – I often fill up here myself. Dornoch is a lovely town worth exploring, and nearby Dunrobin Castle is one of the finest castles in Scotland. Wick is the main town in Caithness and your last proper fuel stop before heading to John o’ Groats or west along the north coast – nearby Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is well worth a visit.

North Coast – Wick to Durness

This is where fuel planning starts to matter. The north coast has far fewer stations, and the ones that exist are smaller, independently run, and may have limited opening hours – especially in the off-season. Top up at Wick before heading out. Thurso is the last town of any size before the remote north coast – fill up here. The Bridgend Filling Station (Gleaner) carries super unleaded / E5 fuel, which can be difficult to find elsewhere on the route. Bettyhill and Tongue are lifeline stations – don’t assume they’re open outside normal business hours. Durness is the most north-westerly village on the British mainland, and its station is the only fuel available for a considerable distance in either direction.

West Coast – Durness to Inverness

The west coast is the most remote and arguably the most spectacular section of the NC500. It’s also where most fuel anxiety happens. Stations are small, independently run, and often attached to village shops. They keep limited hours, so planning is essential. If you’re interested in the amazing geology of this area, the Bone Caves at Inchnadamph and Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt are wonderful stops that won’t cost you much fuel from the main route.

Kinlochbervie and Lochinver are short detours off the main route but worth knowing about if your tank is getting low. Ullapool is the largest settlement on this section and a genuine relief after the remote north-west – it has a proper filling station with reliable hours and is also the ferry port for Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The Lochbroom Filling Station is a Jet station and carries super unleaded / E5 fuel. Laide is a great wee community stop that deserves your support – businesses like this keep remote communities alive. Applecross is famous for the Bealach na Bà, one of the highest and most dramatic mountain passes in Scotland – make sure you have plenty of fuel before tackling it. Note that the Bealach na Bà is not recommended for motorhomes or caravans.

Broadford on Skye is not technically on the NC500, but many travellers make a detour to Skye via the Skye Bridge. Whether you’re coming back from Ullapool via the A835, or from Applecross via Lochcarron, you’ll eventually rejoin the main road network at Contin heading east towards Inverness.

EV charging on the NC500

Driving the NC500 in an electric vehicle is possible, but it requires significantly more planning than a petrol or diesel car. The charging infrastructure has improved in recent years, with public chargers available in larger towns like Inverness, Dingwall, Tain, Wick, Thurso, and Ullapool. However, the remote sections of the north and west coast remain challenging.

Key things to know about EV charging on the NC500:

• ChargePlace Scotland operates many of the public chargers in the Highlands. Their access card costs £20 per year and is worth getting before you travel. The Zap-Map app is useful for locating chargers and checking live availability.
• Accommodation with charging can be a smart strategy. Several hotels, B&Bs, and campsites along the route now offer EV chargers for guests. Charging overnight means you start each day with a full battery. Some booking platforms let you filter for EV charging availability.
• The west and north coasts are the trickiest stretches for EVs. Chargers can be spaced far apart, and if one is out of service or occupied, your options are very limited. Don’t rely on a single charging point – always have a backup plan.
• Key EV charging locations include Inverness (multiple chargers), Dingwall, Tain, Golspie, Wick, John o’ Groats Visitor Centre, Thurso, Bettyhill, Durness Visitor Centre, Kinlochbervie, Ullapool, and Gairloch.
• Demand during peak season can be a problem. The NC500 gets very busy in summer, and EV chargers can be occupied. Arriving at a charger to find it in use with a two-hour wait is a real possibility.

I’ll be honest – I would still feel range anxiety driving an EV on parts of the NC500, particularly the remote west coast in poor weather when you might encounter animals on the road, diversions, or unexpected delays. But people complete the route in EVs regularly, and the infrastructure is improving year on year. Just plan carefully and don’t leave anything to chance.

Practical tips for refuelling on the NC500

These are the things I’d tell a friend before they set off:

• Leave Inverness with a full tank. Fuel in Inverness is the cheapest you’ll find on the route. Supermarket prices here are consistently 10–20p per litre cheaper than remote Highland stations.
• Never pass a station on the west or north coast without topping up. Even if you think you don’t need it, put £10 or £20 in. It supports the local business, and it could save you from a very stressful situation later.
• Check opening hours before you travel. Many smaller stations have limited hours, particularly on Sundays and during the off-season (October to March). Some close at 5pm or 6pm. A few are unmanned “pay at the pump” 24-hour stations, but don’t assume this without checking.
• Carry a debit or credit card. Most stations accept cards, but some of the smaller ones may be cash-only or card-only (pay at the pump). Having both options is safest.
• Be aware that fuel is significantly more expensive in remote areas. Independent stations on the west and north coast can be 15–25p per litre more than Inverness prices. It’s frustrating, but these businesses face higher supply costs and serve a tiny customer base. They’re providing an essential service, and without them, the route would be far more difficult.
• Driving style affects fuel consumption. The constant speed changes, steep hills, and winding roads of the NC500 will use more fuel than motorway driving. Factor this into your range calculations, especially on the mountainous west coast sections.
• If you need super unleaded (E5 / 97 octane), your options are very limited. The Jet station at Ullapool and the Gleaner at Bridgend in Thurso are two confirmed locations. The Jet station at Beauly also carries it. Plan your route around these if you need higher octane fuel for your vehicle.

FAQs on NC500 petrol stations

What is the longest stretch without fuel on the NC500?

The longest gap depends on your exact route, but the stretch from Durness south to Ullapool (approximately 100 miles) has only three fuel options along the way – at Kinlochbervie (a detour), Scourie, and Lochinver (also a detour). If you stick to the main A894/A837/A835 and don’t take either detour, the gap between Scourie and Ullapool is around 50 miles with no fuel available.

Which petrol stations are cheapest on the NC500?

Supermarket stations are consistently the cheapest. Asda in Tain, Tesco in Wick and Dingwall, and Morrisons in Alness and Inverness typically offer the best prices. The most expensive stations tend to be the small independents on the north and west coast, where supply costs are higher. The price difference between the cheapest and most expensive stations on the route can easily be 20–30p per litre.

Are petrol stations open 24 hours on the NC500?

Very few. Some larger stations in Inverness and Tain may offer 24-hour pay-at-the-pump services, but most stations along the route have set opening hours. Rural stations typically open between 8am and 6pm, and some have shorter hours on Sundays. Always check ahead if you’re travelling early morning or late evening.

Can I drive the NC500 in a motorhome without fuel problems?

Yes, but you need to plan more carefully than with a car. Motorhomes use more fuel and have larger tanks, which means fewer stops but more fuel per stop. Some of the smaller stations may not have HGV-sized forecourts, so manoeuvring a large motorhome in and out can be tight. Start with a full tank and top up at every opportunity on the north and west coast.

Should I carry spare fuel?

It’s not a bad idea to carry a small amount of emergency fuel in an approved container, particularly if you’re driving an older vehicle or one with a small tank. That said, if you follow the advice in this guide and top up regularly, you shouldn’t need it. I’ve never had to use spare fuel on the NC500, and I’ve driven sections of it many times.

Is it worth filling up before or after the Bealach na Bà?

Definitely before. The Bealach na Bà is one of the steepest roads in Britain, climbing to over 600 metres. Your fuel consumption will be noticeably higher on this stretch. If you’re approaching from the south, fill up at Kinlochewe. If you’re starting from Applecross, there’s a small station in the village.

Do any NC500 stations sell LPG?

LPG availability on the NC500 is very limited. Ullapool has an LPG supply point, but it’s on the industrial estate rather than at the main filling station, and it’s closed on weekends. Beyond that, options are extremely sparse. If you’re driving an LPG vehicle, research current availability thoroughly before setting off and be prepared to use petrol as a backup.

Key information

• The NC500 is a 516-mile circular route starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
• There are over 35 petrol stations on or near the route, but they are unevenly distributed.
• The east coast (Inverness to Wick) is well served with fuel. The north and west coasts are not.
• Supermarket stations in Inverness and Tain offer the cheapest fuel on the route.
• Remote stations can be 20–30p per litre more expensive than Inverness prices.
• Many rural stations have limited opening hours – always check ahead.
• EV charging is available but requires careful planning, particularly on the west coast.
• Super unleaded (E5) is available at Ullapool (Jet), Thurso (Gleaner) and Beauly (Jet).

Final thoughts

The NC500 is a brilliant road trip, and fuel availability shouldn’t put anyone off. With a bit of planning, it’s straightforward – the key is simply to top up regularly on the north and west coast and never assume the next station will be open. The small, independent filling stations dotted along the route are part of what makes the Highlands special. They’re run by local people who keep remote communities connected, and every time you stop for fuel, grab a coffee, or pick something up from the shop, you’re supporting that. We need these wee businesses, and they need us.

If you’re planning an NC500 trip, my Scotland road trip planner can help you build a route with stops, and my Scottish Highlands guide covers everything else you need to know about travelling in this part of Scotland. Safe travels.

All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.