Costco gas prices in California can vary from location to location and day to day. Costco offers members significant savings on high-quality gasoline. Understanding current Costco gas prices can help California drivers get the best deal on fuel.
What are current Costco gas prices in California?
As of October 10, 2023, Costco gas prices in California range from $4.15 to $4.55 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. This compares to California’s overall current average gas price of $5.28 per gallon.
Costco gas stations update their fuel prices daily based on the wholesale cost of gasoline. Prices can change quickly from day to day, but Costco gas is almost always well below the prices from major brand stations.
Here are some current sampled regular unleaded gas prices at Costco locations in California as of October 10, 2023:
| Location | Price Per Gallon |
|---|---|
| Costco in Fountain Valley | $4.15 |
| Costco in Fullerton | $4.25 |
| Costco in Lakewood | $4.35 |
| Costco in Los Feliz (Los Angeles) | $4.45 |
| Costco in Moreno Valley | $4.55 |
As you can see, prices vary across the state but offer significant savings compared to gas stations not affiliated with Costco.
Why is Costco gas so cheap?
There are a few key reasons why Costco gas prices are so much lower than other gas stations:
– **High volume sales** – Costco gas stations are designed for maximum efficiency. Each station has 12-16 pumps, significantly more than a typical gas station. This high pumping capacity means Costco sells a very high volume of gas. The overall profit margin per gallon may be low but is made up through massive volumes of gas sold.
– **Members only** – Only Costco members can buy gas at Costco stations. This membership model helps streamline operations with no marketing costs needed to attract customers. Costco can pass these savings directly to members at the pump.
– **Lower overhead costs** – Costco gas stations have a very low operating cost with limited personnel needed on-site. There are also typically no convenience stores or other amenities that add overhead expenses at other gas stations. The bare-bones approach reduces expenses.
– **Gas-only business** – Costco gas stations focus exclusively on selling fuel. Major brand stations often make higher margins on convenience store sales. Costco foregoes these lucrative add-ons to drive volumes purely through low gas prices.
– **Strategic pricing** – While many gas stations price fuel based on emotions or regional averages, Costco prices gas strictly according to current wholesale costs. This pragmatic approach generally equates to lower margins and greater member savings.
How much can you save with Costco gas in California?
The potential savings from fueling up at Costco can be substantial. As an example, filling up a 15 gallon tank at current average California gas prices of $5.28 per gallon would cost $79.20.
Filling up that same 15 gallon tank at a Costco in Los Angeles currently charging $4.45 per gallon would only cost $66.75.
That’s a total savings of $12.45 per fill up, or approximately 16% less than the statewide average gas price. For drivers who fill up weekly, the savings can add up to over $650 per year.
Savings may be even higher in certain parts of California where gas prices are higher. The relative discount provided by Costco will vary day to day, but customers can consistently save 10-25% by fueling up at Costco.
Tips for saving money on Costco gas
To maximize potential savings on already low-priced Costco gas, drivers can follow these tips:
– **Get a Costco membership** – Costco gas is only available to Costco members. Membership starts at $60 per year and more than pays for itself through gas savings alone.
– **Use the Costco app to find lowest prices** – The free Costco app shows real-time gas prices at Costco stations near you. Prices are frequently updated, so check before fill up.
– **Look for coupons** – Occasionally Costco offers member fuel coupons, usually tied to spending thresholds in the main warehouse. These can lower prices by another 5-10 cents per gallon.
– **Pay with a Costco Visa** – Paying with a Costco Anywhere Visa Card gets you an additional 4% in rewards on already low gas prices.
– **Fill up early morning or late evenings** – Costco gas stations are usually less busy at opening and before closing times. You can avoid lines and get in and out quicker.
Requirements for buying Costco gas
Costco has the following requirements that must be met before you can fill up at one of their gas stations:
– **Active Costco membership** – Only current Costco Gold Star or Executive members can purchase gasoline. Your membership card must be scanned at the pump to confirm active status.
– **Pay at the pump** – All transactions must be completed using a credit/debit card at the pump. Cash and pre-pay inside are not accepted.
– **No exceptions** – There are no exceptions made for non-members. Memberships cannot be purchased on-site. Costco shoppers with memberships must have their card to fill up.
Downsides of Costco gas
While Costco fuel prices are tough to beat, there are some potential downsides:
– **Costco membership required** – You have to pay for a Costco membership to access gasoline savings. The $60 basic Gold Star membership may pay for itself with gas savings, though.
– **Limited locations** – Costco has just over 150 gas station locations in California. Competitors like Safeway (500+ stations) or Chevron (1,000+ stations) have much broader reach.
– **Busy stations** – With a huge volume of customers fueling up, Costco gas pumps and parking lots can get very congested during high traffic times.
– **No specialty fuels** – Costco does not offer specialty higher-octane gasolines or diesel at most locations. Fuel selection is limited to regular and premium unleaded.
– **Inconvenient for non-members** – If you’re not already shopping at Costco, going out of your way just for gas may be inconvenient compared to nearer stations.
Costco gas station locations in California
Costco currently operates 153 gas station locations across California. Major metro areas with the most Costco gas stations include:
– Los Angeles area – 27 locations
– San Diego area – 19 locations
– San Francisco Bay area – 16 locations
– Sacramento area – 9 locations
– Fresno area – 5 locations
Costco gas stations can be found in nearly every region of California. However, more rural parts of the state may not have a Costco fueling site nearby.
You can find your closest Costco gas station by checking the [Costco Gas Station Locator page](https://costco.com/gas-station.html).
Conclusion
Costco gas prices offer California drivers substantial savings compared to other gas stations. Prices vary but are routinely 10-25% below average retail gas prices thanks to Costco’s high-volume, member-focused fueling model.
Costco gas pricing can fluctuate daily based on oil markets, so be sure to check the Costco app for your area’s current pricing. With a small annual membership fee providing access to discounted gas all year long, most California drivers can save hundreds of dollars annually by fueling up at Costco.