Costco Wholesale Corp is expanding its fuel business beyond its traditional warehouse locations, with plans to open its first standalone gas stations in the United States — while keeping access limited to members.
The retailer’s first standalone location is set to open by late June in Mission Viejo, California, at the site of a former Bed Bath & Beyond store. The facility will feature 40 fueling positions under a 17,185-square-foot canopy, making it the largest gas station Costco has built to date, according to city planning documents.
Like Costco’s existing fuel stations, the new location will be accessible only to members, who will need to provide membership information at the pumps. The company has long used discounted gasoline as a way to drive customer loyalty and reinforce the value of its subscription-based model.
City officials confirmed the California opening timeline to local media, with ABC7 Los Angeles reporting that construction began in fall 2025 following approval from the Planning and Transportation Commission. C-Store Dive also cited city officials confirming a late-June opening.
Expansion beyond California
A second standalone gas station is already in development in Honolulu, Hawaii, with completion expected in 2027. The site is part of the Olauniu at Kapalama Kai redevelopment project led by landowner Kamehameha Schools.
Construction on the Honolulu location began in October 2025, according to C-Store Dive. Like the California site, it will operate as a fuel-only facility without a convenience store and remain exclusive to Costco members.
A shift in Costco’s fuel strategy
Costco operates hundreds of gas stations across the United States, but they have historically been located adjacent to its warehouse clubs. The standalone model allows the company to expand into high-traffic areas where a full retail warehouse may not be practical.
By maintaining its members-only access model, Costco continues to position fuel as a key benefit of its subscription business, often offering prices below local competitors to attract and retain customers.
The company has not issued a public statement on the standalone expansion plans and declined to comment when contacted by several outlets.
By
By
