Hokkaido Expressway Gas Stations: Only Four Exist, and Just One Is Open 24 Hours

The short version: Hokkaido's expressways have four gas stations, and only one is open at night

If you have driven expressways in the rest of Japan, you probably expect a gas station at most service areas. Hokkaido is different. NEXCO East Japan's official gas station map lists just four fuel stops on the whole island's expressway network: three on the Dō-ō Expressway (the Sapporo–Asahikawa / Sapporo–Hakodate spine) and one on the Dōtō Expressway (towards Obihiro and Kushiro). Only one of them, Wattsu PA just south of Sapporo, is open 24 hours. The other three close at 8pm.

For a rental-car trip that means one simple rule: fill up before you get on the expressway, especially if you are driving after dark or in winter. This guide lists the four stations with their hours (checked on the official pages in September 2026) and explains where the "last chance" is for each direction.

The four expressway gas stations (as of September 2026)

Expressway	Rest area (town)	Hours	Brand
Dō-ō Expressway	Wattsu PA (Kitahiroshima), both directions	24 hours	apollostation / Usami
Dō-ō Expressway	Sunagawa SA (Sunagawa), both directions	8:00–20:00	ENEOS
Dō-ō Expressway	Usuzan SA (Date), both directions	8:00–20:00	ENEOS
Dōtō Expressway	Yuni PA (Yuni), both directions	8:00–20:00	ENEOS

Source: NEXCO East Japan's expressway gas station map (dated 22 May 2026) and the facility pages of each rest area on Dora-Pura, NEXCO East Japan's service-area site. The map notes that non-24-hour stations may extend their hours in peak season, and that brands and hours can change without notice.

Just as important is what is not on the map: there is no expressway gas station on the Sasson Expressway (Sapporo–Otaru), and nothing on the Dōtō Expressway east of Yuni PA, which means the long mountain stretch through Shimukappu, Tomamu and Tokachi-Shimizu towards Obihiro has no fuel at all.

Wattsu PA: the only 24-hour fuel on Hokkaido's expressways

Wattsu (輪厚) PA sits on the Dō-ō Expressway in Kitahiroshima, about 20 minutes south of central Sapporo. Its gas stations in both directions are open around the clock, which makes it the only place on the island's expressways where you can refuel at night.

Gas station: 24 hours, both directions (apollostation / Usami)
Food court: 8:00–20:00 (April–November), 9:00–19:00 (December–March)
EV charger: 24 hours, one bay
Parking: northbound 26 large / 139 standard; southbound 26 large / 122 standard

Sunagawa SA: last fuel before Asahikawa

Heading north from Sapporo towards Asahikawa (and on to Furano, Biei and the Daisetsuzan mountains), Sunagawa SA is the last expressway fuel stop. ENEOS stations in both directions, 8:00–20:00. The northbound side connects to the Sunagawa Highway Oasis, where the EV charger is (one bay, 6:00–22:00).

Gas station: 8:00–20:00, both directions
Food court: northbound 8:00–20:00 (Apr–Nov) / 9:00–19:00 (Dec–Mar); southbound 7:00–19:00 (Apr–Nov) / 9:00–19:00 (Dec–Mar)
Parking: 23 large / 86 standard, both directions

Usuzan SA: the only fuel between Sapporo and Hakodate

On the southern half of the Dō-ō Expressway, Usuzan SA in Date (near Lake Toya) is the only gas station between Sapporo and the Hakodate / Muroran side. ENEOS in both directions, 8:00–20:00. EV charger 24 hours (one bay).

Gas station: 8:00–20:00, both directions
Food court: 8:00–20:00 (Apr–Nov), 9:00–19:00 (Dec–Mar)
Parking: northbound 12 large / 50 standard; southbound 7 large / 46 standard

Driving from Hakodate to Sapporo, once you pass Usuzan SA the next fuel is Wattsu PA. Driving from Sapporo towards Hakodate, Usuzan SA is your last chance on the expressway.

Yuni PA: the only fuel on the Dōtō Expressway (vending machines only)

The Dōtō Expressway, which takes you from the Sapporo area towards Obihiro and Kushiro, has exactly one gas station: Yuni PA, ENEOS in both directions, 8:00–20:00. The official page states plainly that there is no restaurant or shop here, only vending machines. You can fuel the car, not yourself.

Gas station: 8:00–20:00, both directions
Shop / food: none (vending machines only)
EV charger: 24 hours, one bay
Parking: 8 large / 34 standard, both directions

East of Yuni PA there is no expressway fuel at all. If you are heading to Obihiro, Tokachi or Kushiro, fill up before you join the Dōtō Expressway, or at Yuni PA.

Leaving the expressway to refuel does not keep your toll continuous in Hokkaido

NEXCO runs a scheme at a few designated interchanges on Honshu where you can exit, refuel nearby and re-enter within an hour without breaking your toll. The Dōtō Expressway's Tokachi-Shimizu IC was part of it when the trial began, but NEXCO East Japan's March 2025 notice lists only two active interchanges, both on Honshu (Towada IC on the Tōhoku Expressway and Niitsu IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway). As of September 2026, assume that leaving the expressway in Hokkaido to refuel means paying two separate tolls.

The practical plan for each direction

Sapporo → Asahikawa / Furano / Biei: Sunagawa SA (until 8pm) is the last stop. At night, fuel at Wattsu PA or in town before joining.
Sapporo → Lake Toya / Hakodate: Usuzan SA (until 8pm) is the last stop. At night, fill up at Wattsu PA before heading south.
Sapporo → Obihiro / Kushiro: Yuni PA (until 8pm) is the last stop, and there is nothing east of it.
New Chitose Airport pickups: most rental offices are near the airport with plenty of gas stations on ordinary roads; fill up there before joining the expressway.
Night driving: Wattsu PA is the only option. Past it, treat the next fuel as "none".

In winter the heater, slow traffic and stops for snow clearing all eat into your range, so the four-station limit matters more from December to March. If that is when you are visiting, read Winter Driving in Hokkaido: A First-Timer's Complete Guide and what your Hokkaido rental car comes with first.

Related guides

Official sources: Expressway gas stations (Dora-Pura, NEXCO East Japan, Japanese) · NEXCO East Japan Hokkaido on X: @e_nexco_kita (Japanese; road and closure updates).

FAQ

Where can I refuel at night on a Hokkaido expressway?

Only at Wattsu PA on the Dō-ō Expressway, south of Sapporo, which is open 24 hours in both directions. Sunagawa SA, Usuzan SA and Yuni PA close at 8pm (September 2026).

Is there fuel on the way to Obihiro or Kushiro?

On the Dōtō Expressway, only at Yuni PA (8:00–20:00). Nothing east of it is on the official map, so refuel before the expressway or at Yuni.

Can I charge an EV at these rest areas?

Yes, each of the four has one charging bay. Wattsu PA, Usuzan SA and Yuni PA are 24 hours; Sunagawa SA's charger is inside the Highway Oasis, 6:00–22:00. With a single bay each, you may have to wait.

Do gas station hours change in winter?

The official facility pages list the gas stations as 8:00–20:00 (Wattsu PA 24 hours) with no seasonal change, but the food courts and shops at the same rest areas shorten their hours from December to March.

Before you travel: Hours, brands and facilities change, and non-24-hour stations may open longer in peak season. Everything above was checked against NEXCO East Japan's gas station map (dated 22 May 2026) and the Dora-Pura facility pages on 8 September 2026. Please check the official pages before you set out.

Hokudora (ホクドラ) is a Hokkaido driving and travel site based in Sapporo. More English guides · 日本語版はこちら