Eager Costco customers are lining up to experience a first-of-its-kind offering from the warehouse retailer, but have since said the debut hasn't lived up to expectations.

The retail giant welcomed shoppers to the new fuel-only location in Mission Viejo, California, marking a major shift for the store, which previously operated gas stations alongside its warehouse stores. 

Costco's gas station replaced a now-shuttered Bed Bath & Beyond at 25732 El Paseo. It's a member-exclusive gas station, meaning without a Costco card, drivers will be turned away.

But despite the excitement surrounding the retailer's latest concept, many social media users quickly noticed the station lacks several features they have come to expect from Costco's petrol pumps.

Unlike many of its existing fuel locations, Costco's standalone station doesn't offer diesel fuel, propane refills or a car wash.

'This is really strange,' one Reddit user wrote. 'I expect all those things and electric car chargers and a food court if you're not even going to have a Costco [warehouse] to shop at.'

'No diesel is really disappointing,' another Reddit user chimed in. 

Not every Costco location offers car washes, electric chargers or diesel. One Reddit user noted that at their Costco location, diesel was removed as an option and they 'always wondered why.' 

Still, members shared their excitement at the new option to fuel up, complaining that nearby Costcos draw big crowds and long lines. 

'The one down the road is a nightmare with space and crowds,' one Reddit user wrote. 'If this is just a dedicated gas station, it might help alleviate it. I go sometimes to just get gas and this will make it easier for me and my hubby to visit.'

The gas station offers a 'cheaper' alternative to independently owned gas stations, offering the fuel at just $4.79 per gallon. According to AAA, the average price of regular gas is $5.35 per gallon in Orange County and $5.48 per gallon in Los Angeles County.

At the same time, Southern California drivers are just days away from a statewide gas tax increase. On July 1, the state's gas tax will rise by 2.2 cents per gallon, increasing from 61.2 cents to 63.4 cents.

Costco is also building another gas station in Hawaii, located in Honolulu's Kapālama Kai neighborhood at Dillingham Boulevard and Colburn Street. Although details surrounding the project are under tight wraps, the location is expected to open sometime in 2027.

It's unclear when, or if, Costco will open more gas-specific locations. 

Costco currently operates an estimated 920 locations in the US - plus its standalone gas station.

Gas is responsible for a huge chunk of Costco's total net sales - for 2025, the company's petrol stations brought in 10 percent of its total revenue, thanks to 747 gas stations globally. 

Costco's gas averages 10 to 30 cents cheaper a gallon than at other gas stations, according to US News.

In June 2025, Costco even announced it would expand gas station hours nationwide, serving customers from 6am until 10pm on weekdays. On Saturday and Sunday, gas stations open at 6am and close at 8:30pm and 7:30pm, respectively.

Neil Saunders of GlobalData revealed the gas station concept could work due to the warehouse's 'wildly popular' cheap gas prices.

'Costco is building a new stand-alone location in Orange County to help manage demand that can't be serviced at the station by its store,' Saunders previously told the Daily Mail. 'If successful, there are other locations where this could be implemented.'