Costco opens its first standalone gas station but shoppers are baffled
Eager Costco customers are lining up to experience a first-of-its-kind offering from the warehouse retailer, but have since said the debut hasn't lived up to expectations.
The retail giant welcomed shoppers to the new fuel-only location in Mission Viejo, California, marking a major shift for the store, which previously operated gas stations alongside its warehouse stores.
Costco's gas station replaced a now-shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond at 25732 El Paseo. It's a member-exclusive gas station, meaning without a Costco card, drivers will be turned away.
But despite the excitement surrounding the retailer's latest concept, many social media users quickly noticed the station lacks several features they have come to expect from Costco's petrol pumps.
Unlike many of its existing fuel locations, Costco's standalone station doesn't offer diesel fuel, propane refills or a car wash.
'This is really strange,' one Reddit user wrote. 'I expect all those things and electric car chargers and a food court if you're not even going to have a Costco [warehouse] to shop at.'
'No diesel is really disappointing,' another Reddit user chimed in.
Not every Costco location offers car washes, electric chargers or diesel. One Reddit user noted that at their Costco location, diesel was removed as an option and they 'always wondered why.'
Costco opened its first standalone gas station in California near Anaheim in Orange County
Costco's gas stations bring in 10 percent of the company's total revenue, with customers often lining up for the discounted fuel
Still, members shared their excitement at the new option to fuel up, complaining that nearby Costcos draw big crowds and long lines.
'The one down the road is a nightmare with space and crowds,' one Reddit user wrote. 'If this is just a dedicated gas station, it might help alleviate it. I go sometimes to just get gas and this will make it easier for me and my hubby to visit.'
The gas station offers a 'cheaper' alternative to independently owned gas stations, offering the fuel at just $4.79 per gallon. According to AAA, the average price of regular gas is $5.35 per gallon in Orange County and $5.48 per gallon in Los Angeles County.
At the same time, Southern California drivers are just days away from a statewide gas tax increase. On July 1, the state's gas tax will rise by 2.2 cents per gallon, increasing from 61.2 cents to 63.4 cents.
Costco is also building another gas station in Hawaii, located in Honolulu's Kapālama Kai neighborhood at Dillingham Boulevard and Colburn Street. Although details surrounding the project are under tight wraps, the location is expected to open sometime in 2027.
It's unclear when, or if, Costco will open more gas-specific locations.
Costco currently operates an estimated 920 locations in the US - plus its standalone gas station.
Gas is responsible for a huge chunk of Costco's total net sales - for 2025, the company's petrol stations brought in 10 percent of its total revenue, thanks to 747 gas stations globally.
Costco's standalone gas station doesn't offer diesel as an option - it also does not have car washes or EV charging stations
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Costco's gas averages 10 to 30 cents cheaper a gallon than at other gas stations, according to US News.
In June 2025, Costco even announced it would expand gas station hours nationwide, serving customers from 6am until 10pm on weekdays. On Saturday and Sunday, gas stations open at 6am and close at 8:30pm and 7:30pm, respectively.
Neil Saunders of GlobalData revealed the gas station concept could work due to the warehouse's 'wildly popular' cheap gas prices.
'Costco is building a new stand-alone location in Orange County to help manage demand that can't be serviced at the station by its store,' Saunders previously told the Daily Mail. 'If successful, there are other locations where this could be implemented.'
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
