Last Updated: May 2026
Arco is one of the cheapest gas stations in the US typically $0.10–$0.20 cheaper per gallon than Shell, BP, and Chevron. With national gas prices at $4.42/gal in May 2026, that difference saves real money. Find your nearest Arco and check current hours below.
Arco is BP’s discount fuel brand in the western United States, known for consistently low prices, Top Tier certified gasoline, and a straightforward no-frills approach to fueling. If you’re looking for the cheapest gas near you in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, or other western states, Arco is almost always in the conversation. Here’s everything you need to know hours, payment methods, prices, and how to find one near you.
Find an Arco Gas Station Near Me Live Map
Use the map below to find Arco stations near your current location. Arco operates primarily in western US states — if you’re in the Midwest or East Coast, use our main gas station locator instead.📍 Arco gas station locations near you. Arco stations are concentrated in CA, NV, OR, WA, AZ, ID, and UT.
Official Arco Station Finder →
Compare Prices on GasBuddy →
How much cheaper is Arco? At current prices, Arco typically runs $0.10–$0.20/gallon cheaper than branded competitors like Shell, Chevron, and BP. On a 14-gallon fill-up that’s $1.40–$2.80 saved per tank. Over a year of weekly fill-ups, that’s $73–$146 in savings just from choosing Arco over a nearby Shell.
Arco Gas Station Hours What Time Does Arco Open and Close?
This is the most searched question about Arco and the answer depends on the specific location. Here’s what you can realistically expect:
| Location Type | Typical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arco with ampm store | Open 24 hours | Most Arco/ampm combined locations are open 24/7. The ampm convenience store drives overnight business. |
| Standalone Arco (urban) | 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Most urban standalone Arcos open early and close around 10–11pm. Some close as early as 9pm. |
| Standalone Arco (suburban/rural) | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Suburban and rural Arcos tend to have shorter hours with earlier closing times. |
| Arco at Walmart / big box | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Hours typically match or slightly extend the anchor store’s hours. |
Important: Arco hours are set by individual franchise owners and vary significantly by location. The table above reflects common patterns — but your specific Arco may differ. Always verify hours before a late-night trip by checking Google Maps, calling the station directly, or using the official Arco station finder which shows confirmed hours for each location.
Is Arco Open on Holidays?
Most Arco stations remain open on major holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day but often with reduced hours. Arco/ampm combined locations are most likely to maintain full 24-hour operation on holidays. Standalone Arcos may close early or open late on holidays. If you’re planning a holiday road trip and need to fuel at an Arco specifically, call ahead or check Google Maps which often shows holiday hours for individual locations.
Does Arco Take Credit Cards?
This is Arco’s most frequently asked question and the answer has changed significantly in recent years.
The Short Answer
It depends on the location. At participating Arco locations, you can now pay with credit cards and as always, you can still pay with cash, debit card, or mobile wallet. However, credit card acceptance is not universal across all Arco stations it varies by region and individual franchise owner.
Full Payment Method Breakdown
✅ Cash Always Accepted
Cash is accepted at every Arco station nationwide without any surcharge or fee. If you want to pay the lowest posted price with zero fees, cash is always your best option at Arco.
✅ Debit Card Accepted Everywhere
PIN-based debit cards are accepted at all Arco stations. Most locations charge a flat fee of $0.35 for debit card transactions, though this fee has been removed at some locations. Always check the pump display before swiping.
✅ Mobile Wallet Most Locations
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay linked to a debit card are accepted at most Arco pumps. Mobile wallet payments avoid the debit card fee at many locations. Tap your phone to the PIN pad to pay.
⚠️ Credit Cards Participating Locations Only
Arco now accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express credit cards at participating locations. Coverage is expanding but not yet universal. A surcharge of approximately 3.5% may be added to cover credit card processing fees. Check signage at the pump before paying.
✅ Arco PumpPASS Gift Card
Arco’s prepaid PumpPASS gift card is accepted at every Arco station at the pump or inside. No fees, no surcharges. A good option for regular Arco customers who want the convenience of a card without any transaction fees.
✅ Arco Business Mastercard
The Arco Business Solutions Mastercard is accepted at all Arco stations and any Mastercard location nationwide. Designed for fleet operators and small businesses needing fuel management solutions.
Why did Arco historically not accept credit cards? Arco stopped taking credit cards in April 1982 and cut its dealer price by 3 cents per gallon as part of a strategy to build station volume through lower prices, saving $73 million a year in credit card costs. The no-credit-card policy was core to the low-price model for over 40 years. Washington and Oregon customers were among the first to get credit card acceptance at Arco, with the option to pay by credit card alongside cash and debit card. The rollout is continuing nationwide.
How Do Arco Gas Prices Compare to Competitors?
Arco’s entire brand identity is built around competitive pricing. Here’s how Arco typically stacks up against other major brands at current price levels:
| Brand | Typical Regular Price vs. Arco | Top Tier Certified? | Credit Cards? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arco | Baseline (cheapest) | Yes | Participating locations |
| Costco | Similar to Arco | Yes | Costco Visa only |
| Murphy USA | +$0.05–$0.10 | No | All major cards |
| Shell | +$0.10–$0.20 | Yes | All major cards |
| BP / Amoco | +$0.10–$0.20 | Yes | All major cards |
| Chevron | +$0.10–$0.25 | Yes | All major cards |
| 76 | +$0.08–$0.15 | Yes | All major cards |
| Exxon / Mobil | +$0.10–$0.20 | Yes | All major cards |
Price comparisons are approximate averages based on GasBuddy data for western US markets. Actual price differences vary by location and change daily.
Is Arco gas good quality despite the lower price? Yes. All Arco gasoline is Top Tier certified, meaning it meets or exceeds all EPA, CARB, and ASTM standards for quality. Arco gas contains an additive that works to help keep your car engine running smoothly — there is no need to use additional fuel additives if you use Arco gasoline. The lower price reflects Arco’s lower operating cost model — fewer staff, smaller stores, no loyalty program overhead not lower fuel quality.
Arco vs. Shell vs. Chevron Which Should You Choose?
For most everyday drivers in western US states, here’s the practical breakdown:
- Choose Arco if: You want the lowest price, you have cash or a debit card handy, and you don’t need a full-service convenience store. Arco wins on pure fuel cost.
- Choose Shell if: You want guaranteed credit card acceptance, a loyalty rewards program (Shell Fuel Rewards), and a full ampm or Shell convenience store on-site. Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can get the price gap close to even for frequent members.
- Choose Chevron if: You want Techron additive technology specifically, a wider acceptance of payment methods, and more store amenities. Chevron’s ExtraMile convenience stores are a step up from most Arco locations.
- Choose Costco if: You’re a member and there’s a Costco nearby Costco consistently matches or beats Arco pricing while accepting the Costco Visa card.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arco
What are Arco gas station hours?
Arco hours vary by location. Arco/ampm combined stores are typically open 24 hours. Standalone Arco stations in urban areas generally run 5am–11pm, while suburban and rural locations often close earlier at 9–10pm. Hours are set by individual franchise owners and can differ significantly between locations. Always check Google Maps or the official Arco station finder at arco.com for confirmed hours at your specific location before making a late-night trip.
Does Arco take credit cards in 2026?
At participating Arco locations, you can now pay with credit cards, along with cash, debit card, or mobile wallet. Credit card acceptance is expanding but not yet available at every Arco station. At locations that do accept credit, Arco accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. A surcharge of around 3.5% may apply at some locations to cover processing fees. Check the pump signage at your specific station to confirm what payment methods are accepted before you start fueling.
Why is Arco gas cheaper than other brands?
Arco keeps pump prices low by encouraging cash and debit transactions that cost less to process than credit card transactions, which carry higher interchange fees of 1–3% of the sale. Beyond payment method, Arco keeps costs down with smaller store footprints, fewer staff, no loyalty program expenses, and a lean operating model. Arco does not sacrifice fuel quality to achieve lower prices its gasoline is Top Tier certified, the same quality standard used by Shell, Chevron, and BP.
Is Arco gas Top Tier?
Yes. Arco gasoline is Top Tier certified, meeting or exceeding all EPA, CARB, and ASTM standards for quality. The additive levels in Arco gas are sufficient to help keep fuel injectors clean. Top Tier certification is recommended by most major automakers including GM, Ford, Toyota, and BMW — for reducing carbon deposits in modern engines. Getting Top Tier fuel at Arco’s lower price point is one of the strongest arguments for choosing Arco over mid-tier competitors.
Does Arco have a rewards or loyalty program?
Arco does not have a traditional loyalty points program like Shell’s Fuel Rewards or BP’s earnify. The brand’s model is built on competitive base pricing rather than loyalty incentives the savings are built into every transaction rather than accumulated over time. The closest thing to a loyalty benefit at Arco is the PumpPASS prepaid gift card, which avoids the debit card transaction fee. For regular Arco customers who use debit cards, the PumpPASS saves $0.35 per fill-up.
What states have Arco gas stations?
Arco operates primarily in the western United States. The largest concentration of Arco stations is in California, which has several hundred locations. Other states with significant Arco presence include Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah. Arco does not operate in the Midwest, Southeast, or East Coast if you’re in those regions, Arco is not an option and you should use the main gas station locator or check for Murphy USA and Costco as the best low-price alternatives.
Does Arco have a mobile app?
Arco does not have a standalone branded mobile app. However, Arco stations are listed on GasBuddy, Google Maps, and Waze with current pricing and hours at most locations. For payment, Arco pumps accept mobile wallet payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) linked to a debit card at most participating locations this avoids the cash-handling step while keeping the debit card fee structure.