Where to Gas Up for Cheap

Gas prices are high nationwide and even higher in California. According to the California Energy Commission, as of Sept. 9, the national average for self-serve gas was $3.58 per gallon, whereas the average price in California was almost $3.90 per gallon.

This presents local drivers with a dilemma: Such lofty pump prices encourage shopping around for the cheapest stations, but driving too far to reach them may cost more in gas than you eventually save. So we researched consistently reasonably priced gas stations in the San Fernando, Simi and Santa Clarita valleys that might be on or close to your regular routes.

First off, there are a number of useful websites, such as GasBuddy.com, LosAngelesGasPrices.com (by GasBuddy) and the less comprehensive GasPriceWatch.com that report on gas prices.

According to these sites, wholesale club Costco often offers the cheapest gas around. Costco’s locations in Burbank, Northridge, Pacoima, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and Van Nuys include gas stations, but their Canoga Park and Westlake Village stores do not. However, Costco membership ($55 annually) is required and lines can be long at peak times, though one-way traffic and hoses that allow for gassing up from either side of vehicles help.

Bargain-hunters should be aware that area Costco gas stations only accept American Express, most PIN debit cards, Costco Credit and Costco Cash cards. Also, Costco offers only regular unleaded (typically 87 octane) and premium unleaded (typically 92 octane) gas and does not sell mid-grade gas or diesel. And although Costco’s gas stations usually keep longer hours than its warehouses (which vary by location), they are not open 24/7.

Warehouse club Sam’s Club offers gas prices similar to Costco’s, but its only Fuel Center in the Valley is at their Santa Clarita location at 26468 Carl Boyer Drive. As with Costco gas stations, Sam’s Club Fuel Centers keep limited hours and do not sell diesel (their Santa Clarita Fuel Center is open Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

According to GasBuddy.com, Arco, which has numerous area locations, usually vies with Costco for the cheapest gas locally, while offering all three grades plus diesel. However, Arco’s marquee prices are for cash payment — their stations do not accept credit cards and there is a 35-cent “convenience fee” for using debit cards, regardless of amount purchased (so if you’re just grabbing five gallons of gas, this adds the equivalent of 7 cents per gallon). Furthermore, due to a recent change of ownership, Arco stations are being phased out from Southern California, being replaced by USA Gasoline outlets.

Otherwise, local drivers on Yelp rave about the low prices at United Oil in Woodland Hills (Ventura Boulevard at Corbin Avenue), Plaza Market in Simi Valley (Royal Avenue at Thompson Lane) and USA Gasoline in Santa Clarita (Soledad Canyon Road at Whites Canyon Road).

— Paul Rogers, Brand Publishing Writer

For more ideas for local deals and saving tips, go back to Money Smart.