For millions of American drivers, Costco has become more than just a place to buy groceries in bulk; it’s a primary destination for one of the most significant and recurring household expenses: gasoline.
The long lines of cars often seen snaking around a Costco gas station are a testament to its reputation for consistently offering some of the most competitive fuel prices in any given area.
However, simply being a Costco member doesn't automatically guarantee you're getting the absolute best deal every single time. Maximizing your savings requires a strategic approach. It involves knowing how to find real-time prices, understanding the nuances of their fuel offerings, and implementing practical tips to make every fill-up as cost-effective as possible.
This guide is your complete manual for navigating the world of Costco gas. We will explore the best methods for finding nearby prices, detail what you need to know before you go, and provide actionable tips for planning your fill-ups to save both time and money.
Before you can access the low prices at the pump, you first need to become a member. Costco's business model is built on membership fees, which allow them to offer products and services at a lower markup. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to join.
Choose Your Membership Level: Costco typically offers two main tiers of personal membership:
Gold Star Membership: This is the standard, entry-level membership. It grants you access to all Costco warehouses and gas stations worldwide and includes one household card for another person living at the same address.
Executive Membership: This is the premium tier. It includes all the benefits of the Gold Star membership but also offers an annual 2% Reward on most eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases. If you are a frequent shopper, the cash back from this reward can often exceed the additional cost of the membership itself.
How to Sign Up:
Online: The easiest way to join is on the Costco website. You can fill out the application, pay the annual membership fee with a credit card, and receive a membership number. You will then need to visit the membership counter at any Costco warehouse to have your photo taken and receive your physical membership card.
In-Store: You can also sign up directly at the membership counter inside any Costco warehouse. You'll fill out a short application, pay the fee, and they will take your photo and issue your card on the spot, allowing you to shop and buy gas that same day.
Membership is Required for Fuel: This is the most important rule. You must be an active member to purchase fuel. The pumps are activated by first scanning a valid Costco membership card.
The first step to saving money is knowing the price before you go. While Costco's prices are famously competitive, they still fluctuate daily. Using the right tools to check the current price can help you decide if a trip to Costco is your most economical option for the day.
Third-Party Gas Price Apps (The Most Reliable Method):
How they work: Apps like GasBuddy, Waze, and Google Maps are often the fastest and most effective ways to see Costco's current gas prices. These platforms rely on a massive community of users who report prices in real-time, as well as direct data feeds.
Practical Steps:
Open your preferred app (e.g., GasBuddy).
Search for "Costco" or simply look for the Costco icon on the map in your area.
The app will display the price for Regular and Premium fuel, along with the time the price was last reported. This allows you to directly compare Costco's price to every other gas station in your vicinity.
The Costco Official App and Website:
How they work: The official Costco app and website are excellent for locating warehouses, checking gas station hours, and seeing which fuel types are available. However, in many cases, they do not display the current fuel price.
Best Use: Use the Costco app to confirm your local station's hours, and then use a third-party app like GasBuddy to verify the current price.
A trip to a Costco gas station is a different experience than a typical fill-up. Being prepared is key to a smooth and efficient visit.
Payment Methods: Costco gas stations do not accept all forms of payment. To speed up the lines and reduce processing fees, they have a limited acceptance policy. Generally, you can only pay with:
Any Visa credit card (including the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi).
Most PIN-based debit cards.
Costco Shop Cards (the store's gift cards).
Important: They do not accept cash, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover cards at the pump.
Fuel Types: Costco gas stations are known for their high-quality fuel, which they brand as Kirkland Signature Gasoline. They typically offer:
Regular Unleaded (87 Octane)
Premium Unleaded (91 or 93 Octane, depending on the state)
Some, but not all, locations also offer Diesel fuel. It's important to verify this on the Costco app or website if you drive a diesel vehicle.
Hours of Operation: Costco gas station hours are often different from the main warehouse hours. They typically open earlier in the morning and may close earlier in the evening. Always check the specific hours for your local station in the Costco app or on the website before making a special trip.
One-Way Traffic and Long Hoses: To improve efficiency, all Costco gas stations are designed with a one-way traffic flow. They also use extra-long pump hoses, which are designed to reach the fuel tank on either side of your vehicle. This means you can pull up to any pump, regardless of which side your gas tank is on.
While Costco's base price is already low, you can employ several strategies to maximize your savings.
Leverage the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: For dedicated Costco shoppers, this is a powerful tool. This co-branded credit card typically offers a very high cashback rate, such as 4% back, on eligible gas purchases worldwide, including at Costco. This is a significant rebate on top of the already low price.
Avoid Peak Times: The biggest drawback of Costco's low prices is the long lines. The busiest times are typically on weekends (especially Saturday and Sunday afternoons) and on weekday evenings after work. To save time, which is also a valuable resource, try to fill up during off-peak hours:
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays.
Early in the morning, right after the station opens.
Compare Prices at Different Costco Locations: If you live in a large metropolitan area with multiple Costco warehouses, don't assume they all have the exact same price. Local competition can cause slight price variations between them. A quick check on a price-finding app might show that a Costco that is a few extra miles away is cheaper, which could be worthwhile if you are already heading in that direction.
Don't Make a Special Trip Just for Gas: The most effective way to use Costco gas is to integrate it into your regular shopping routine. The savings from the cheaper gas can be quickly eroded by the cost and time of making a separate, out-of-the-way trip. Plan to fill up your tank either right before or right after you do your bulk shopping inside the warehouse.
A little planning can make your Costco gas run much more efficient and predictable.
Check Prices in Advance: Before you leave, use an app like GasBuddy to do a quick comparison. Is Costco's price today significantly lower than other stations, or is it only a few cents cheaper? This information helps you decide if it's worth navigating the potential lines.
Schedule Your Gas Time: As mentioned, aim for those off-peak hours. Building your fill-up into your mid-week schedule rather than waiting for an empty tank on a busy Saturday can save you a tremendous amount of time and frustration.
Have Your Membership Card and Payment Method Ready: This is crucial for keeping the lines moving. Before you pull up to the pump, have your Costco membership card and your Visa or debit card in your hand. Fumbling for your wallet at the pump is a sure way to slow things down for everyone behind you.
Remember the Long Hose: Don't waste time circling around looking for a pump that corresponds to your gas tank side. Simply pull into the shortest available line. The extra-long hose is designed to reach across your vehicle, a feature that many first-time users don't realize.
By combining these strategies—becoming a member, using technology to verify prices, understanding the station's operational rules, and planning your visits strategically—you can ensure that you are consistently getting the maximum value from one of the best perks of a Costco membership.
