Costco Gas Prices
Costco gas prices are often among the cheapest in town, but only members can buy, and that’s the catch most comparisons skip. Whether the membership pays for itself through gas alone depends on how much you drive and how big the gap is at your local warehouse. I’ve built the calculator below to answer exactly that, and further down I walk through the decision.
By Nathan Brooks · Reviewed Oct. 15, 2026 · Hours, fees and card terms from Costco and Citi
*Most U.S. Costco gas stations: Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat 6 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Sun 6 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Hours vary by location (including in California and Hawaii), so check your warehouse on costco.com.
Is a gas membership worth it for you?
Compare Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s and Walmart+ using only what you save on gas.
Not sure? A 15-gallon tank every 10 days is about 10.5 gallons a week.
Compare your Costco or Sam’s price with a nearby station. BJ’s says its members save 20¢ on average.
| Membership | Yearly fee | Gas savings / yr | Net |
|---|
Walmart+ gives a fixed 10¢ a gallon at participating stations. Fees are standard yearly prices before promotions. Memberships include other perks that this calculator doesn’t count.
How much cheaper is Costco gas?
Costco doesn’t publish an official average, and the gap changes daily and by location. News reports have found anywhere from about 20¢ a gallon in some cities to nearly 50¢ in parts of California. Be wary of any site that gives you a single national number. The only reliable way to know is to compare your nearest Costco with the stations around it for a week or two.
Tip: Costco’s price is shown for members in the Costco app and on costco.com (select your warehouse). Compare it with a nearby station on our gas stations near me map.
When Costco gas is worth it
Here’s the math I’d run. If you buy about 10.5 gallons a week and Costco is 20¢ cheaper than your usual station, you save about $2.10 a week, or roughly $109 a year. That’s enough to cover a basic membership in many cases, but only if the warehouse is on your normal route. If you have to make a special trip, the extra miles and the lines eat into it quickly.
So my answer is: Costco gas is a great bonus if you already shop there, and a decent reason to join if you drive a lot and live close to a warehouse. If you drive little, a free rewards program will probably save you more. — Nathan Brooks
How to pay at Costco gas stations
- You need an active membership card (or the digital card in the Costco app) to start the pump.
- Visa is the only credit card accepted. Debit cards and Costco Shop Cards also work. If you don’t carry a Visa, plan ahead.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi gives 5% back on gas at Costco and 4% at other gas stations and EV chargers, on up to $7,000 a year in combined purchases (then 1%). It has no annual fee with a paid Costco membership. At $4 a gallon, 5% is about 20¢, which can double what you save at the pump.
- Gas doesn’t count toward the Executive 2% reward. Upgrading to Executive only makes sense if you spend a lot inside the warehouse, not because of gas.
Costco vs. Sam’s Club vs. BJ’s vs. Walmart+
| Program | Yearly fee | Gas benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Costco | $65 / $130 | Member-only prices, often below nearby stations |
| Sam’s Club | $60 / $120 | Member fuel prices at Sam’s Club stations |
| BJ’s | $60 / $120 | BJ’s says members save 20¢/gal on average; Club+ adds 5¢ |
| Walmart+ | $98 | 10¢/gal at 17,000+ stations (Walmart, Murphy, Sam’s Club, Exxon, Mobil, Citgo) |
Standard yearly fees from each company’s website, September 2026. New-member promotions can be cheaper. Walmart added Citgo stations on Sept. 14, 2026.
Tips for faster, cheaper Costco fill-ups
- Go early or late. Lines are usually shortest right after opening and in the last hour. A 15-minute line can wipe out the value of your time.
- Avoid weekend afternoons. That’s when most people shop and fill up at the same time.
- Have your card ready. Scan your membership first, then pay.
- Fill up on Sunday or Monday when you can. See the best day to buy gas.
Quick answers
Do you need a membership to buy gas at Costco?
Yes, at almost all locations you need an active Costco membership card to use the pump. A very small number of stations are exceptions because of local rules.
What are Costco gas station hours?
Most U.S. Costco gas stations are open Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hours vary by location, so check your warehouse page on costco.com.
Can I use Mastercard or American Express at Costco gas?
No. Costco gas stations accept Visa credit cards, debit cards and Costco Shop Cards.
Is Costco gas lower quality?
No. Costco’s Kirkland Signature gasoline meets the TOP TIER detergent standard, like many major brands.
Is Costco gas worth it if I only buy gas there?
It can be. At 20¢ a gallon cheaper, the $65 membership pays for itself after about 325 gallons a year. Use the calculator above with your own numbers.
Keep saving
Sources
Costco: gas station locations and hours · CBS News: Costco extends gas station hours · Citi: Costco Anywhere Visa · Sam’s Club membership · BJ’s membership · Walmart+ gas savings · PYMNTS: Walmart+ adds Citgo (Sept. 2026) · Jalopnik: Costco gas math · TOP TIER licensed brands
FuelPriceScout is an independent information site. We don’t sell fuel and we’re not affiliated with any gas station, retailer or rewards program mentioned here. Prices are averages from public sources and are not what a specific station charges; program terms can change, so always check the official site before you sign up. How we get our data.