39 hours in line: Russian driver recounts epic wait during fuel crisis
A driver from St. Petersburg spent 39 hours waiting for fuel in Chita during Russia's ongoing fuel crisis, sharing his experience as he travels across the country.
Since mid-June, motorists across Russia have been facing long queues at gas stations due to a severe fuel shortage. Vlad, a resident of St. Petersburg, along with his wife, embarked on a road trip from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg after purchasing a new car. In Chita, they encountered a massive line at a Rosneft station, where they waited 39 hours—from 11 p.m. on June 28 until the afternoon of June 30.
The queue stretched for about 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles), with roughly a thousand cars ahead of them. On average, the line moved only 50 meters (164 feet) every 40 minutes. Some drivers attempted to cut in, claiming they had saved spots for friends or relatives, which further slowed progress. Vlad and his wife took turns staying in the car while the other rested at a nearby hotel, ate, and charged devices. Other gas stations in Chita were limiting sales to 15 liters per vehicle, while the Rosneft station allowed 50 liters. With the nearest alternative station located in Skovorodino—an 11-hour drive away—they had no choice but to wait.
After leaving Chita, the situation improved somewhat, with queues lasting only 15–20 minutes. However, to avoid getting stuck in Irkutsk, which reportedly had similar problems, they bypassed the city and filled up before Tulun. Drivers shared real-time information about fuel availability through a Telegram chat. Despite tensions, no major conflicts occurred. Traffic police officers stayed on site, politely ensuring order. Many drivers helped each other—bringing food, water, or even pushing cars that ran out of fuel while in line.
Vlad believes the authorities are to blame for the crisis, not because they started the war in Ukraine, but because they are not responding harshly enough. He expects the situation to eventually normalize as major players consolidate the market. If the crisis persists, he plans to rely on public transport in St. Petersburg.
