The best thing about retail warehouse stores is obviously the selection. After all, where else can you buy a new T-shirt, birthday cake, and a set of tires on the same day? But the ability to fill up with gas before leaving the parking lot is a plus as well. That’s why stores like Costco, where you can use these tips to save time at the pump, are so convenient. But now the company is moving forward with standalone gas stations, and the company’s first in California is members-only.
Members will need to insert or scan their membership card to refuel, just as they would at Costco’s attached gas stations. However, non-members may be able to access the pumps using a Costco Shop card, as they currently can at on-site locations. Costco’s new gas station is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it’s a 17,000 square foot facility operated by company employees. It has 40 pumps covered by a large canopy, and it will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Sunday through Saturday.
The station is expected to open by the end of June 2026. But if you don’t live in California, you may not have to wait long. Costco is planning to build more standalone gas stations, beginning in Honolulu, Hawaii. As of this writing, the company hasn’t publicly addressed this new program. But the belief is that stand alone stations can help reduce the heavy traffic flow that currently plagues many on-site locations.
Costco’s gas boom and competitive pricing strategy
Costco’s first standalone gas station (which will also strategically stay cheaper than most) was initially announced in the summer of 2025. The facility is located off Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo, California, at the site where a Bed Bath & Beyond once stood. At the time of the announcement, the company’s gas stations were experiencing a boom in business, thanks mostly to extended operating hours. The decision to move forward with a new test store may have been influenced by this positive reaction.
Costco members get access to gas prices that can often beat other competitors by anywhere from 10 to 25 cents per gallon. This is possible because of the company’s warehouse approach, which includes buying fuel in large quantities. Costco also works directly with suppliers to get the best cost and then passes that savings on to its members.
Costco’s first gas station opened in 1995 and since then, their fuel business has grown. The company currently has over 700 stations around the world, serving millions of paid members every day. Those members can use the Costco app to check fuel prices in real time, as well as store hours, and locations near them.
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