Costco’s first standalone fuel station within the US has opened up in Southern California, and whereas many drivers are keen to purchase cheaper gas, some customers really feel the brand new location is lacking the important thing options they’d hoped for.
Regardless of pleasure concerning the fuel station opening, many social media customers identified it doesn’t provide diesel gas, propane refills or a automobile wash.
The members-only station in Mission Viejo marks a serious shift for Costco, which has historically operated fuel stations alongside its warehouse shops.
“That is actually unusual,” a Reddit consumer wrote. “I anticipate all these issues and electrical automobile chargers and a meals court docket for those who’re not even going to have a Costco [warehouse] to buy at.”
“No diesel is admittedly disappointing,” one other added.
The fuel-only location changed a shuttered Mattress Bathtub & Past at 25732 El Paseo and is open solely to Costco members — that means drivers and not using a membership card are turned away.
Others welcomed the brand new location, saying it may assist ease the congestion at close by Costco warehouses, the place packed parking tons and lengthy traces usually make a fast gas cease troublesome.
“The one down the highway is a nightmare with house and crowds,” somebody wrote.
“If that is only a devoted fuel station, it’d assist alleviate it. I’m going typically to only get fuel and this can make it simpler for me and my hubby to go to.”
The Mission Viejo station is drawing prospects with decrease costs, promoting gasoline for $4.79 per gallon.
In keeping with AAA, the common worth of standard fuel is $5.35 per gallon in Orange County and $5.48 per gallon in Los Angeles County.
The opening comes simply days earlier than California’s statewide fuel tax rises on July 1. The tax will enhance by 2.2 cents per gallon, from 61.2 cents to 63.4 cents.
Costco can be constructing one other standalone fuel station in Hawaii in Honolulu’s Kapālama Kai neighborhood at Dillingham Boulevard and Colburn Avenue.
Though particulars surrounding the mission stay underneath wraps, the placement is predicted to open someday in 2027.
Costco operates an estimated 920 warehouse areas throughout the US, along with its standalone Mission Viejo fuel station. The corporate’s fuel enterprise accounted for about 10% of complete income in 2025 via 747 gas stations worldwide.
The retailer additionally expanded fuel station hours nationwide in June 2025. Stations now function from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, whereas Saturday hours run from 6 a.m. to eight:30 p.m. and Sunday hours from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Neil Saunders of GlobalData beforehand informed the Each day Mail the standalone idea may succeed due to Costco’s “wildly widespread” low cost fuel costs.
“Costco is constructing a brand new stand-alone location in Orange County to assist handle demand that may’t be serviced on the station by its retailer,” Saunders stated. “If profitable, there are different areas the place this could possibly be applied.”
It’s unclear when, or if, Costco will increase the fuel-only idea past these two areas.
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