Costco is known for its low prices both in-store and at the gas pump. With gas prices quite high these days, finding a place like Costco that offers gas even for a bit cheaper is TOTALLY worth it. So, the next time you’re at Costco and need to fill up your car with gas, consider going to the Costco gas station. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Costco gas hours, the holidays they close, and the payment methods they accept.

What are Costco Gas Station’s Hours of Operation?

As a rule, Costco gas stations are open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day of the week.

That being said, the hours may vary based on your specific store’s location.

It’s important to keep in mind that Costco’s store hours are typically from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m..

Costco gas stations are open longer than the store itself to allow commuters time to fill up their tanks on the way to work.

See Also: 7 Must-Know Tips About Buying Costco Gas

Do They Close on Certain Holidays?

Yes.

Costco gas stations are closed on certain holidays where their warehouses are ALSO closed.

Specifically, Costco gas stations are closed on these holidays:

– New Year’s Day

– Easter

– Memorial Day

– Independence Day

– Labor Day

– Thanksgiving Day

– Christmas Day

Any Holidays When Costco is Closed But the Gas Station is Open?

No.

Costco gas stations will be closed on ALL DAYS when the warehouse is closed for business.

Therefore, if it’s a holiday and the Costco warehouse is closed, you can expect the gas station to also be closed.

What Hours Are They the Least Crowded?

There is no concrete answer for when the best time to go to a Costco gas station is.

This is because inevitably crowds will vary based on location, time of year, etc.

However, most Costco gas stations appear to be the least crowded during the following:

1. Right when they first open at 6 a.m.

2. Around late morning/early afternoon on weekdays when most people are still at work.

You can expect the weekend, in general, to be more crowded compared to weekdays.

Hack Alert #1: Show up ten minutes before they close at 9:20 p.m. and you’ll have the station to yourself. This is by far the BEST time to fill up your tank at a Costco gas station, trust me on this one.

Hack Alert #2: If you show up and there are long lines for the “left side” pumps, just go to a “right side” pump and use the LONG hose to fill up your car. If you drive a big ol’ truck or SUV the hose might not reach, but for everything else you’re golden.

Do I Need to Be a Costco Member to Buy Gas?

Yes.

Unfortunately, you must be a Costco member to buy gas at a Costco gas station.

When you get to the pump, you’ll be asked to do one of 3 things:

1. Tap your Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi (the easiest way as your membership number is already attached to it)

2. Insert your Costco Membership Card, then Tap your Visa card. 

3. Insert your Costco Membership Card, then use your smartphone to pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

A highly clever workaround is to have a member buy you a Costco Shop Card (up to $500) and then you can use it to buy gas at Costco without a membership.

See Also: After Getting Gas, Go Check Out the Costco Food Court

Are Costco Gas Stations Safe After Dark?

Generally speaking, yes Costco gas stations are safe after dark; however, you should always be aware of your surroundings and not leave your vehicle if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable– your gas can wait.

If you can, try to fill up with other cars nearby, or in the close vicinity of other customers getting gas.

Can I Use Apple Pay at Costco Gas Stations?

Yes, you can use Apple Pay at Costco gas stations.

It’s important to note you do need to have a Visa card connected to your Apple Wallet to be able to use your Apple Pay at Costco gas stations.

The same things go for using Google Pay on your Android device.

Can I Buy Gas with Cash at Costco?

No.

You cannot buy gas with cash at Costco.

This is because Costco is trying to reduce wait times so they don’t want their attendants handling cash.

These are the following payment methods you can use at Costco gas stations:

– All Visa Cards

– Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

– Most Pin-Based Debit/ATM cards

– Costco Shop Cards

Unfortunately, you cannot use your EBT benefits to buy gas at Costco.

Also, don’t forget you’ll need your Costco membership card to be able to verify you’re a Costco member to buy gas at a Costco gas station.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly buy your gas at Costco? If so, did I miss any tidbits of information in my article? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

It finally happened to me just this morning…my gas tank was really low and it hit me like a ton of brinks that I forgot my wallet at home. I had a moment of panic until I realized I could simply pull into a nearby Chevron gas station and use Apple Pay via my iPhone to fill up my tank. It couldn’t have been easier. The COVID pandemic definitely accelerated the adoption of this technology as many gas stations realized customers loved the idea of not having to touch any buttons. Here are the 21 major gas stations that take Apple Pay, I hope this list helps you decide where to buy your next tank of gas.

First of All…How Do I Use Apple Pay at the Pump?

Here are the 4 easy steps to make it happen:

1. Make sure the gas pump has the Apple Pay icon or Contactless Reader symbol on it.

2. Double-click the side button on your iPhone (or use your Apple Watch) and either enter your passcode or use Face ID to authenticate.

3. Hold your iPhone near or over the Contactless Reader.

4. Follow the instructions on the pump to complete the purchase.

Without further ado, here are all the major gas stations in the U.S. that take Apple Pay.

1. 7/11

While 7/11 absolutely takes Apple Pay, you’ll need to use it in the store when filling your gas tank.

There is no option to use Apple Pay at the actual gas pump at most stations.

You must go in the store to pay so you might as well grab a Slurpee and Slim Jim too.

2. ARCO

You can pay with Apple Pay at ALL Arco gas stations.

But keep in mind that Arco doesn’t take credit cards, only debit cards.

So make sure your debit card is linked to your Apple Wallet and select it as your preferred payment method when using Apple Pay.

3. BP/Amoco

According to the BPme app you can use Apple Pay at all gas BP/Amoco stations.

Also, double dip your savings by using the app to earn rewards good for discounted gas in the future.

See Also: Find Cheap Gas Near You (8 Ways To Make it Happen)

4. Casey’s General Store

The Midwest gas and convenience store, Casey’s, added the technology to be able to accept Apple Pay at all gas stations back in October of 2021.

I have fond memories of buying candy from Casey’s on my summer trips to Nebraska to visit my grandparents.

5. Chevron

You can use Apple Pay or the Chevron app to pay for your gasoline both in-store and at the pump.

It’s worth noting that the Chevron app does NOT allow you to sync your Apple Pay to it, at least not yet.

6. Circle K

All Circle K gas stations accept Apple Pay at the pump.

You can also enter the store and buy your snacks and drinks and pay with Apple Pay at the checkout register.

7. CITGO

Located in more than 30 states, CITGO is proud to offer customers the convenience of using Apple Pay at most locations.

CITGO is also one of the few gas stations that has pumps that are Amazon Alexa enabled.

You literally just say “Alexa, pay for gas” on your smartphone, confirm the pump number that you’re using, and the payment will be deducted form your Amazon account.

8. Conoco

Many Conoco stations accept Apple Pay these days.

When you pull up to the pump, just look for the contactless reader or Apple Pay sticker and you’ll be good to go.

9. Costco

As long as a Visa card is tied to your Apple Wallet, you can use Apple Pay at all Costco gas stations starting at 6:00 am everyday of the week.

Keep in mind that you MUST be a Costco member to use their gas stations.

The only exception to this is if you’re using a Costco Shop Card to fill up your tank.

See Also: 7 Smart Tips You GOTTA Know About Costco Gas Prices

10. Exxon Mobil

All Exxon Mobil locations in the U.S. accept Apple Pay.

Most Exxon Mobil pumps are also Amazon Alexa enabled, so just say “Alexa, pay for gas” on your smartphone and you’ll quickly pay via the Amazon Alexa app.

11. Love’s Travel Stops

Back in 2020, Love’s introduced a slew of new contactless payment options including Apple Pay at all pumps, as well as inside the store.

They also added Samsung Pay and Google Pay.

12. Marathon

Some, but not all, Marathon gas stations have the technology in place to accept Apple Pay.

As long as the pump has the contactless symbol you can use your iPhone to fill your tank.

13. Philips 66

Philips 66 is proud to announce that they take Apple Pay at all their gas stations.

You can also download the My Philips 66 app and use it to pay for gas as well.

14. RaceTrac

RaceTrac gas stations are located in the South and they absolutely accept Apple Pay.

You’ll find stations in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

15. Shell

All Shell gas stations take Apple Pay.

You can also use the Shell app and link Apple Pay to it, along with PayPal, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

16. Speedway

You can use Apple Pay at all Speedway locations, both at the pump and in the convenience store.

Speedway has over 3,000 locations in 36 states.

17. Sunoco

Sunoco also accepts Apple Pay at all locations.

You can either do it directly with your iPhone or via the Sunoco app.

The cool thing with using the app is it allows you to save an extra $.03 per gallon.

18. Texaco

Most (but not all) modern Texaco gas stations take Apple Pay.

According to the Texaco website, you can also use Venmo or PayPal when you using the Texaco app which is kinda cool.

19. Travel Centers of America

Known as a great stop for long-haul truckers, Travel Centers of America has been accepting Apple Pay for a couple years.

20. Valero

The vast majority of Valero gas stations accept Apple Pay.

Save even more by tying your Apple Pay to the Valero app and score a 10 cents per gallon discount.

21. Wawa

Wawa gas stations and convenience stores (located on the East Coast) happily accept Apple Pay.

If you’re ever in a Wawa location in November, order the Gobbler sandwich.

It’s a hot sandwich packed with turkey, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry on a hoagie roll. SO GOOD!

Ask the Reader: Do you know of any other major gas stations that accept Apple Pay? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Back in 2019 the average U.S. consumer spent about $1,600 a year on gas. As gas prices continually rise this number stands to increase substantially in the coming years. Because of this large expense, it’s TOTALLY worth it to try and find the cheapest gas whenever possible. Here are 8 highly clever ways I always find cheap gas near me and save a bunch of money at the pump.

8 Ways to Find Cheap Gas

Consider these apps before you fill up your tank next time.

1. Gas Buddy App

When it comes to finding cheap gas, the GasBuddy app is the “best of the best” as far as I’m concerned.

The app is simple to use and helps you quickly locate the cheapest gas no matter where you’re located or where you’re headed.

As long as you don’t run out of gas trying to save a few bucks, this free app is a beauty and a must-have for all iPhone or Android users.

Here’s how the GasBuddy app works:

1. Download It to your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Android device. Does anyone actually use an iPad for apps like this? The iPad always gets mentioned but I just can’t picture using it in the car unless I am sitting in the backseat with it and have a driver named Alfred. Oh, and a mini-fridge full of Grey Poupon.
2. Update It. Loyal users then update the app with gas prices around town. There’s a small reward system and a weekly giveaway of FREE gas when you submit local gas prices into the app.
3. Current Location. The app lets you quickly use your current location and find the nearest gas stations with the best prices.
4. Includes All Stations. I like how the app also includes Ma & Pa stores and mini-marts and not just the Shells and Chevrons of the world.
5. Easy Search. You can search for cheap gas by city, state, or zip code. Side-note: I had Taco Bell last night and have had cheap gas all day long. I wonder if Taco Bell comes up on the list of gas stations, if not, it should.
6. Get Smart. Once you have a list of nearby stations, the Gas Buddy app lets you toggle between distance and price which allows you to make a smart decision about how far out of the way you want to drive to save money on gas.

How the GasBuddy app could be better:

1. It could rate the cleanliness of the bathrooms at each gas station. When I’m on a family road trip with my wife and 3 kids, I would drive exactly 338 miles out of the way to find a clean crapper.
2. BONUS TIP: Never use a gas station bathroom close to a Taco Bell location. (See #5 above)

Download the app and give it a try:

~ Download GasBuddy for your iPhone

~ Download GasBuddy for your Android device

2. Waze Navigation

Most people know the Waze app as a clever way to get driving directions and traffic reports on your smartphone.

But did you know it also offers the ability to navigate you to the lowest priced gas station in your current area?

While lacking many of the same features, it works similarly to GasBuddy and counts on users reporting current gas prices.

The biggest drawback of the app is that prices are not updated as frequently as many of the other apps on this list.

But if you love Waze, and it’s your map app of choice, you’ll want to give their gas feature a look.

Download Waze and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

See Also: Costco Gas Hours: Fill Up Your Tank Starting at 6 am

3. Gas Guru

For me, the Gas Guru app comes in 2nd place behind Gas Buddy.

I love the functionality of the app and the large, easy-to-read numbers it uses for the gas prices.

Comes with excellent turn-by-turn directions as well as a list of amenities at each gas stations.

For the amenities piece it shows things like ATM, store, eatery, and even if the station offers a cash discount.

The app is definitely worth a look and you might even find that you like it better than Gas Buddy.

Download Gas Guru and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

4. Gas Prices by MapQuest

Similar to Waze, the MapQuest app combines local gas prices with their navigation software.

It’s a handy feature that’s a bit hidden within the app. To find it, tap Find Places and a menu pops up with Gas as one of the options.

Tap Gas and the app will show you all of the gas stations in your vicinity along with the current price for all the grades of gas and diesel that they sell.

Unfortunately the app doesn’t allow you to sort the gas stations by price per gallon.

Download MapQuest and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

5. AAA TripTik

The cool thing about the AAA TripTik app is you don’t have to be a AAA member to use all of its functionality.

For example, you can scroll down on the app’s homepage and quickly find the Gas Nearby section.

It’ll show you the 3 closest gas stations to you along with their price for a gallon of regular.

Then tap More and you’ll get an interactive map with all of the stations in your vicinity.

The app would be more useful if it sorted gas stations by price, but if you’re a AAA member and use the app regularly, the Gas Nearby section is a handy feature to have at your fingertips.

Download AAA and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

6. Geico Mobile

Similar to the AAA app, you DON’T need a policy with Geico to use their cheap gas finder within their mobile app.

When you first open the Geico app it’ll ask you “What brings you here today?” – tap the Find Gas icon.

You’ll then go to an interactive map which automatically displays the town you’re located in (or near).

For me it said Redding,CA (without the space after the comma) which brought back ZERO results.

I had to manually add the space after the comma to bring back all the gas stations near me. This is a bug within the app that they’ll hopefully fix soon.

Once you get to the list of gas stations, the app is HIGHLY usable.

Pretty much all of the station’s gas prices are updated within the last 24 hours and many are updated within the last 30 minutes.

You can also filter your results by fuel grade, proximity to the station, and of course price per gallon.

Download Geico and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

7. Costco, BJ’s & Sam’s Club

Turns our wholesale clubs are great for more than just steep discounts on 2 gallon jugs of mayo.

Many Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s locations have gas stations attached to them and the savings they provide is significant.

Yes, you’ll have to be a paying member to get the discounted gas, but if you’re going their anyways to shop you might as will fill up your tank and save some money.

See Also: Costco Gas: Insider Tips To Save BIG at the Pump

8. Dash

The last mobile app that I want to talk about is called Dash.

The app is pretty slick and actually connects to your car giving it a voice and unlocking a bunch of cool diagnostic and maintenance features.

It also helps you save money on gas by pointing you to the stations that offer the best price.

Dash is completely free and is a must-add for those looking to save money on auto expenses.

Download Dash and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

Ask the Reader: I figure if I can save $4-5 on my weekly fill up, that equates to over $200 a year in gas savings. Totally worth effort in my opinion.

What say you? How do you find the cheapest gas when you’re driving around town or on a road trip away from home?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.