Costco Wholesale opened its first standalone gas station in Mission Viejo, California, to provide fuel exclusively for warehouse members.
Costco Wholesale opened its first standalone, fuel-only retail location in Mission Viejo, California, in late June. The 17,185-square-foot facility features 40 fueling stations and represents the company's largest gas facility to date. Unlike the traditional warehouse-and-gas model, this site lacks the signature large-scale merchandise and hot dog meals. The new station offers regular gasoline for $4.59 per gallon, which is approximately 71 cents below the Orange County average. This aggressive pricing creates a significant competitive threat for nearby convenience retailers like Shell and BP. While Costco earns a smaller profit margin per gallon than traditional stations, its massive scale and membership model help drive profits. President and CEO Ron Vachris noted that the company recently achieved its highest-volume fuel weeks ever. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip stated that the fuel business is strengthening long-term customer loyalty. Costco is currently developing a second standalone station in Honolulu, Hawaii, which is expected to open in 2027.