Is Costco gas really cheaper?

Yes — Costco gas is consistently 10–30 cents per gallon below the local market average, according to GasBuddy and AAA data. The discount is built-in to the membership model: Costco uses cheap gas as a member traffic driver, not a profit center. Their fuel margins are minimal compared to standalone gas stations. The discount is consistent nationwide — not just in certain markets.

Is Costco gas good quality?

Yes — Costco sells Kirkland Signature gasoline, which meets or exceeds the EPA's Top Tier gasoline standard. Top Tier fuel contains higher concentrations of detergent additives that keep fuel injectors and intake valves cleaner than the minimum EPA requirement. The same brands that pay $0.40–$0.50/gal more at branded stations (like Shell V-Power or Chevron Techron) also meet Top Tier standards — but Costco's fuel meets the same standard at a lower price.

Does Sam's Club gas membership require a separate fee?

No — Sam's Club gas is included with any Sam's Club membership ($50/year for Plus or $50/year for basic Club membership). All members, including basic Club members, can purchase gas at Sam's Club stations. Unlike some station-specific loyalty programs, there is no separate fuel membership. Sam's also accepts most major credit cards and debit cards, making it more flexible than Costco (which requires Visa).

How many US cities have Costco gas stations?

As of 2026, Costco operates gas stations at approximately 550–600 of its 600+ US locations. Not every Costco has a gas station, but the majority do. Costco is strongest in suburban areas near major metro cities — coverage can be limited in rural areas and smaller cities. You can find locations using the Costco warehouse locator with the fuel filter enabled.

Which warehouse club has the cheapest gas?

Costco is generally the cheapest of the three, followed closely by Sam's Club and then BJ's. GasBuddy surveys consistently show Costco averaging the deepest discount vs. the local market. However, differences between Costco and Sam's Club are typically only 1–5 cents per gallon — station location and convenience often matter more than the brand when choosing between them.

Warehouse Club Gas Compared: Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's

Warehouse club gas is the most consistent, no-effort gas savings available to American drivers. Unlike loyalty programs that require app downloads, points tracking, and promotional timing, warehouse club prices are simply lower — every day, every fill-up, automatically.

The average Costco member saves enough on gas alone to cover their annual membership fee in 2–3 months. Here's a complete comparison of all three clubs.

Price Comparison: Who's Cheapest?

Content Capsule · Warehouse Club Price Rankings

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Average Price Below Local Market (vs. Branded Stations)

10–30¢

Typical per-gallon savings at warehouse clubs vs. nearby branded stations

Costco — deepest average discount: 15–30¢ below local market average. The gold standard for warehouse fuel pricing.
Sam's Club — typically 12–25¢ below market. Slightly narrower discount than Costco but very consistent.
BJ's Wholesale — typically 10–20¢ below market. Smaller discount but still significant; primarily serves the Northeast US.

Source: GasBuddy's ongoing "Lowest Gas Price" analysis of warehouse club vs. market prices across 50 US markets.

Source: GasBuddy — Warehouse Club Gas Price Tracking

Costco: The Price Leader

Costco's gas pricing philosophy is simple: sell fuel at minimal margin to drive membership traffic. Gas prices are a visible member benefit that justifies renewals. Costco doesn't need to profit on gas; they profit on merchandise.

Key facts about Costco gas:

Membership required: $65/year (Gold Star) or $130/year (Executive). Gas is available to all tiers.
Payment: Costco gas stations accept only Visa credit cards and debit cards. Mastercard, Amex, and Discover are not accepted at the pump.
Fuel quality: Kirkland Signature gasoline meets Top Tier standards — the same quality as premium branded fuels like Shell V-Power or Chevron Techron.
Locations: ~550–600 US locations with gas; primarily suburban warehouse areas.
Hours: Gas stations are typically open 6 AM–9 PM on weekdays, shorter hours on weekends. Check the app.
Lines: Popular Costco stations can have 10–20 minute waits during peak hours. Less busy Monday–Wednesday mornings.

Membership payoff calculation: At an average savings of 20¢/gal and filling up 15 gallons weekly (780 gallons/year), annual gas savings = $156 — covering the $65 Gold Star membership cost 2.4× over from gas alone.

Sam's Club: The Flexible Alternative

Sam's Club gas is comparable to Costco in savings and quality, with some added flexibility:

Membership: $50/year (Club) or $110/year (Plus). Either tier gets gas access.
Payment: Accepts Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and debit. More flexible than Costco.
Fuel quality: Sam's Club gasoline also meets Top Tier standards.
Locations: ~600 US locations with gas; often in similar suburban footprint to Walmart stores.
Sam's Club Plus benefit: The $110/year Plus membership includes fuel discount perks and additional cashback on gas purchases.
App: The Sam's Club app allows you to check current gas prices at your location before visiting.

BJ's Wholesale: The Northeast Option

Content Capsule · BJ's Wholesale Coverage

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BJ's Wholesale Club: Regional Strengths

Northeast

BJ's primary footprint — strong in CT, MA, NY, NJ, PA, MD, FL, and OH

Membership: $55/year (Inner Circle) or $110/year (Perks). Gas available to all tiers.
Payment: Accepts Mastercard, Visa, and debit; more flexible than Costco.
Fuel quality: BJ's fuel meets Top Tier standards.
BJ's Perks: The premium $110/year membership includes 5–10¢/gal additional fuel discount on top of the already-low club price.
Locations: ~230 US locations, concentrated in the Northeast. Not available in most Southern, Midwest, or Western markets.
Coupon advantage: Unlike Costco, BJ's accepts manufacturer's coupons for merchandise — the gas savings plus coupon savings can make BJ's the best overall value for Northeast grocery/fuel shoppers.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Here's a quick summary for choosing between the three:

Best price overall: Costco
Best payment flexibility: Sam's Club or BJ's (both accept more cards than Costco)
Best for Northeast residents: BJ's (coupon stacking + fuel savings)
Best if you already shop Walmart: Sam's Club (same parking lot, integrated membership)
Best fuel quality: All three are Top Tier — equivalent quality

Frequently Asked Questions: Warehouse Club Gas

Yes — Costco gas is consistently 10–30¢/gal below the local market average. The discount is built into the membership model; Costco uses cheap gas to drive membership traffic rather than as a profit center. The discount is consistent nationwide.

Yes — Costco sells Kirkland Signature gasoline which meets the Top Tier gasoline standard, the same certification as Shell V-Power and Chevron Techron. You get equivalent quality at a significantly lower price.

No — gas access is included with any Sam's Club membership ($50–$110/year). No separate fuel membership is needed. Sam's also accepts more card types than Costco (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, debit).

Costco is generally cheapest, followed by Sam's Club and then BJ's. The difference between Costco and Sam's Club is typically just 1–5¢/gal — location and convenience often matter more than the brand difference.

Approximately 550–600 US locations have Costco gas stations, out of 600+ total warehouses. Coverage is strongest in suburban major-metro areas. Use the Costco warehouse locator with the fuel filter to find stations near you.