Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club are popular choices for drivers looking to save on fuel. But is one really cheaper than the other? Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide where to fill up for less.
- Membership Requirements
- Costco: Requires an active Costco membership ($60/year for Gold Star or $120/year for Executive Membership).
- Sam’s Club: Requires an active Sam’s Club membership ($50/year for Club Membership or $110/year for Plus Membership).
Both retailers restrict fuel purchases to members only, so you must factor the cost of membership into your overall savings if you are not already a member.
- Typical Gas Price Savings
- Costco: Consistently offers prices that are about 20–30 cents per gallon lower than the national average, depending on location.
- Sam’s Club: Offers similar savings, often matching Costco within a few cents per gallon.
In many cases, prices are nearly identical—but local competition and market conditions can create small differences.
- Station Access and Wait Times
- Costco: Fewer fueling locations compared to Sam’s Club, leading to longer wait times, especially during evenings and weekends.
- Sam’s Club: Often has shorter lines, and in some areas, Sam’s Club stations outnumber Costco fuel stations.
If time is a concern, Sam’s Club may offer a more convenient experience.
- Payment Options
- Costco: Accepts only Visa credit cards, Costco Shop Cards, or debit cards. No cash accepted at the pump.
- Sam’s Club: Accepts more options, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Sam’s Club gift cards, and debit cards.
Sam’s Club offers greater flexibility in payment methods, which may be important for cashback rewards enthusiasts.
- Fuel Quality
- Costco: Offers Top Tier gasoline, which meets higher standards for engine cleanliness and performance.
- Sam’s Club: Some locations sell Top Tier gas, but not all. You can verify this through the Top Tier Gasoline retailer list.
For guaranteed Top Tier fuel, Costco has the edge.
- Extra Benefits
- Costco Executive Members: Earn 2% cashback annually on eligible Costco purchases, including fuel (up to $1,000 back per year).
- Sam’s Club Plus Members: Earn 2% cashback on qualifying in-club purchases but not on fuel purchases.
This means fuel savings alone are better leveraged through Costco’s Executive Membership if you buy gas frequently.
- Other Factors to Consider
- Station cleanliness
- Pump speed
- Hours of operation (Costco stations often close earlier than Sam’s Club stations)
- Costco Gas: Best for drivers seeking guaranteed Top Tier fuel quality, lower gas prices, and already holding a Visa card.
- Sam’s Club Gas: Best for those needing flexible payment options, faster pump access, and shorter lines.
For most drivers, the final choice may come down to which warehouse club is closer, whether you already have a membership, and which loyalty programs you prefer to use.
