Costco to Open first Standalone Gas Station ‍in California

Costco is set to introduce its first standalone gas station in California, exclusively for ⁢its ‍members. The Mission Viejo location,‌ approved by city ​officials, will feature 40 fuel pumps but no convenience store.

Located at 25732 ‍El Paseo,within the Mission Viejo⁢ Freeway Center near Interstate 5,the new gas station will replace a former Bed,Bath and Beyond store. The ​move comes as California gas prices remain elevated, with averages around $4.61 per ‌gallon, though some stations offer prices​ as low as $3.03, according to ‍GasBuddy.

Costco’s nearby Laguna​ Nigel ‍warehouse currently sells regular unleaded ​gas for $4.35 a gallon, according to its app. The new ‌Mission Viejo location‌ is just 2.5 miles away.

Earlier this‌ year, ⁣Costco extended gas station hours, a move that CEO Ron Vachris ​said contributed‍ to “two ⁢of our all-time highest gallon weeks” in the U.S.during April.Vachris attributed the surge to expanded hours, new station openings, and competitive pricing.

Costco’s gas⁣ stations typically operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.Monday ⁢through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.on Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.⁣ on Sunday, though hours may vary in ⁣California and Hawaii.

The company has not⁤ yet⁢ released an opening date for the Mission Viejo gas station.