If you’re anything like me, you’ve pulled into a Costco, BJ’s, or Sam’s Club gas station and wondered: Is this really saving me money? Is it just a clever detour on the way to a $200 cart of bulk snacks and rotisserie chicken? The answer depends on how and how often you fill up.
Here is how I break it down.
The Price Difference Is Real (Most of the Time)
Wholesale clubs are known for undercutting nearby stations by anywhere from $0.10 to $0.40 per gallon. According to AAA, the national average price for gas tends to fluctuate wildly depending on region, but warehouse club prices consistently trend lower.
For example, at the time of this article, my local Costco Gas station was offering regular unleaded at $2.85 per gallon which was between $0.20 – 0.30 cheaper than the stations near my house. Multiply that by a 20-gallon tank, and you’re saving almost $4 or more per fill-up.
But before you reroute your life around these stations, there are some factors to consider.
You’ll Need a Membership
Club gas prices are reserved for members. Annual fees run:
- $60 for Costco’s Gold Star
- $55 for Sam’s Club
- $55 for BJ’s Inner Circle
If you’re not already shopping there regularly, those savings at the pump may take a while to offset the cost of membership. For some people membership is worth it just for the gas, but for me savings really kicked in when I combining my grocery spending with other programs that clubs like BJ’s offer.
Convenience Isn’t Always a Given
Let’s be honest, warehouse club gas stations are rarely empty. At peak times (like weekends or holidays) you might find yourself in a painfully slow-moving line of SUVs and pickup trucks, all competing to get toward the pump.
And unlike your corner station, there’s no last-minute coffee run or restroom stop here. This is strictly a fuel-and-go experience. For busy parents or commuters, the time trade-off might not be worth the extra 20 cents per gallon.
Watch for Extra Perks and Stackable Savings
BJ’s and Sam’s Club sweeten the deal with digital coupons and cash-back incentives. Through the BJ’s Fuel Saver program, you can earn extra discounts by buying eligible in-club items. Sam’s Club occasionally runs special offers through its app that take an additional $0.05 – $0.10 off per gallon.
Costco doesn’t run fuel discounts per se, but if you use a Costco credit card, you’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $7,000 in gas purchases per year (after $7,000 the cash back drops to 1%).
Translation: if you’re already swiping your membership card, make sure you’re using the right payment method too.
Fuel Quality Shouldn’t be an Afterthought
All three clubs pride themselves on fuel quality. Costco uses premium detergent gasoline, which meets a higher standard for engine cleanliness. Sam’s Club and BJ’s offer comparable blends, often with ethanol content labeled clearly.
So no, this isn’t discount fuel in the sketchy sense it’s just cheaper because they’re selling in volume and operating at lower margins.
The Verdict
If you’re filling up weekly and live near a wholesale club with a gas station, the savings can absolutely add up. Stack that with rewards credit cards or club-specific promotions, and you’re looking at an easy $150+ in annual savings.
However, if the detour adds 15 minutes to your errand run or you’re only topping off every couple of weeks, the math likely doesn’t shake out. Although, I am always amazed at the number of people that will wait at one gas station for a $.02 discount when there is no line at the “more expensive” station across the street.
As someone juggling family logistics and a tight schedule, I’ve learned to make my gas runs part of a larger club trip, grab the fuel, hit the store, and get it all done in one swoop. For our family, that efficiency (and the price drop at the pump) makes the membership worth it.
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