Getting gas at Costco may soon be a little easier. Here’s why

Getting gas at Costco can be great for your bank account because you typically save about $0.20 per gallon compared to other stations. But there is a potential downside to buying fuel at some club locations.

Costco has taken steps to make things flow as smoothly as possible at its stations, including one-way entry with long hoses so traffic can flow more easily. But the pumps can still be crowded.

There is some good news on the horizon, however, for those looking to get Costco gas without worrying about waiting. Getting gas at the warehouse club could soon be faster and easier, even in congested areas.

This is based on a recent statement from the company’s CEO during a third quarter earnings call.

Here’s why getting gas at Costco could soon get easier

When speaking on the third quarter earnings call about some upcoming changes planned for Costco stores, CEO Ron Vachris made a statement about future plans that should make Costco gas fans smile. The CEO noted that the company is trying to speed up processes for buyers with several new initiatives, one of which includes “gas extensions where they are needed.”

Numerous news stories in recent years have highlighted Costco’s efforts to increase the size of gas stations across the country, including in Sacramento, California, Potomac Mills, Virginia, and Rochester, New York, among others. With the CEO on board with the gas expansions, Costco shoppers can expect more of this.

Larger gas stations could be a huge relief to those who appreciate the low credit card bills that come with filling up at Costco, but aren’t a big fan of sitting in traffic just to put gas in the tank.

How to beat the crowds at Costco gas stations

If you’re tired of long gas waits, maybe the CEO’s words will give you hope for a better future — but not every store will immediately offer more pumps you can visit to fill up the vehicle. If you’re stuck dealing with large crowds and your store isn’t part of the expansion, there are still a few techniques you can implement to buy cheap gas with minimal hassle.

Costco gas stations usually open the same time as the warehouse, but some stay open a little later. Since many people like to combine gas and a trip to the club, shopping after club hours at the warehouse could result in shorter wait times. Many stations are also emptier mid-week as well as mid-morning on weekdays when many people are working.

If you have the Costco app, you may also be able to identify good times to visit the warehouse club gas station. Sometimes the app displays real-time data on how long you can wait at your station before a pump becomes available.

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These techniques can help you unless or until the planned expansion of Costco gas stations arrives in your area and provide more opportunities to fuel up quickly without long delays.

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Getting gas at Costco may soon be a little easier. Here’s why it was originally published by The Motley Fool