FUEL EXHAUSTION RESULTING IN OFF ARPT LNDG.

Narrative

THIS INADVERTENT INCIDENT OCCURRED ENRTE FROM FALLBROOK TO PALOMAR. THE FLT ORIGINATED IN LAUGHLIN WHERE I HAD FLOWN TO THE NIGHT BEFORE WITH FULL FUEL (24.5 GALS USABLE). IN LAUGHLIN; I PUT 12 GALS OF FUEL ABOARD (TOTAL OF 36.5 GALS FOR ENTIRE TRIP). I DEPARTED LAUGHLIN APPROX XA30. I WENT TO FALLBROOK TO DROP A FRIEND OFF. I CHKED THE TANKS IN FALLBROOK AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT TO BE PLENTY OF FUEL FOR THE 10 MIN FLT BACK TO CARLSBAD (PALOMAR ARPT). ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE RWY; THE PWR STARTED TO SURGE. I THEN DECIDED TO LAND ON A SUITABLE ROAD IN CASE I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE THE RWY. I LANDED THE PLANE SAFELY WITH NO DAMAGE TO PERSON; PROPERTY; OR ACFT. HERE ARE FUEL CALCULATION THAT I USED FROM THE PLT OPERATOR'S HANDBOOK FOR A C152. TOTAL HRS ON PLANE: 5.9. TOTAL USABLE GALS OF FUEL (IN ACFT AND PURCHASED): 36.5. AND GAL/HR AT 2200 RPM AT 8500 FT: 4.4. 36.5 DIVIDED 4.4 EQUALS 8.3 HRS. THIS SHOWS THERE WAS REASONABLE FUEL; EVEN WITH EXTRA FUEL SUBTRACTED FOR TKOF; TAXI AND CLB TO COMPLY WITH THE REG FOR 30 MIN RESERVE. I DID NOT INTENTIONALLY EXHAUST THE PLANE OF FUEL.