I've since decided to do an updated review of this Arco station since my last one was back in…read moreNovember 2019.
A lot has changed in nearly two years since I left my 1-star review. The reason for that review had to do with using debit/credit cards at the pump back then. It was a huge pain in the buttocks for sure. In fact, I was so upset I decided to use another station further away, yet 20 cents /gal more expensive. The convenience of using my card at the pump far trumps standing in really looong line inside Arco with only one cashier working, waiting to pay.
I'm now happy to give a much better report. This Arco started accepting cards (all major debit/credit) cards accepted, with CHIP/PIN security, right at the pump! Also, the nice thing is there is no more annoying . 35 cent fee for using your bank card. It's similar to what you come to expect at other major gas station pumps.
I've been using this Arco for the past year and a half and really welcome the improvements they have made to the pumps. The screens also give you the option of adding a car wash, which I find convenient.
So, why not 5-stars? Well, although the pumps work MOST of the time, they are not without the occasional fault, here and there. I would say I visit this Arco about once a week, and about 1 in every 4 visits, or monthly, I find the pump I try to use either is out of order, glitchy, or won't print a receipt (showing the carwash code). In that case I either have to try another pump, or go inside the AM/PM store to request a duplicate copy with the carwash code. Not a huge deal, but still a little hassle when it's very busy and the line is long.
There is a good reason Arco gas is cheap, or amoung the cheapest. First, like Costco, and Safeway, they sell on volume. This explains why this is one of the busiest and highest traffic gas stations in the area. Second, Arco gasoline contains up to 10% ethanol blend. This doesn't necessarily mean it's inferior, but just a slightly different formulation. Your car/engine is designed to burn a combination of ethanol and gasoline without any adverse effects. Arco and Costco both advertise a maximum of 10 percent ethanol across all octanes. They do not have any additives that they advertise. In other words, it's straight up "gas" without the "fluff" like Chevrons "Techron", or Shells "V-power", Those "expensive" stations want you to believe you are getting "better" gas when in fact it makes little, if any difference.
The "difference" with ARCO, of course is price. Often as much as 20 (or more) cents cheaper per gallon. That can make a bit of a difference depending on what type of vehicle you drive, and how much you drive. For most of us that that only use 87 octane, regular unleaded its just as good as the "Chevrons" & "Shells". I've done the math using Arco compared to others and saw barely any difference in MPG.
This is not a plug for Arco, but once I started doing my own research after being brainwashed into thinking Chevron & Shell were superior, I don't pump anything else.