In Mission Viejo, California, Costco is about to try something unusual: a gas station without a warehouse sharing the same blacktop, or even a $1.50 hot dog. The spring 2026 opening will mark the company’s first standalone fueling site, and it’s a bold experiment in keeping members loyal without the usual in-store lure.

The largest gas station Costco has ever planned

The location, just outside Los Angeles in Orange County, received approval from the city’s Planning and Transportation Commission in March. The plan is for a 40-pump facility, the largest Costco has ever built. Construction is expected to start this fall.

Costco said its goal is simple: let members fill up faster and more cheaply while easing congestion at its existing warehouses, where long lines at the pump can snarl traffic.

Membership is the key motivator

U.S. drivers have clearly embraced Costco gas. Roughly 60% of the company’s more than 130 million members reportedly use its fuel offerings.

While gas margins are slim compared with other items like rotisserie chicken or electronics, cheap fuel keeps members coming back. It’s not just about price at the pump, either. Costco credit cardholders get 5% rewards, adding another perk to the equation.

Neil Saunders, a retail analyst at GlobalData, explained to USA Today that the standalone model could succeed if members respond well. “Costco gas is wildly popular because of the cheaper prices,” he said. “If successful, there are other locations where this could be implemented.” The idea is that members can make a quick stop for fuel without having to navigate crowded warehouse lots, then go on with their day.

Mayor Robert Ruesch of Mission Viejo anticipates the station will attract thousands of drivers

Costco has also been extending gas station hours across North America, opening earlier and closing later to fit member schedules. CEO Ron Vachris noted upgrades at more than 60 locations in various stages of expansion, signaling a wider push to make fueling more convenient and efficient.

The new “standalone” approach signals a shift in Costco’s thinking

Traditionally, the company relied on its warehouse experience: cheap food, eye-catching products, and a touch of spectacle to drive traffic.

Now it’s testing whether members will fill up their tanks without any of the usual trimmings. If it works, Costco may have found a way to separate its gas business from the warehouse floor while keeping the membership model strong.

For drivers who love the deal on gas but not the chaos of a busy warehouse, this could be a perfect pit stop. But if you’re hungry, thirsty, or need to use the bathroom, you’re likely out of luck. Costco is betting you’ll come just for the pump…and for now, that seems enough.