(Filled-Up 05/01/26 FR @ 12:30pm): I huffed and puffed off the freeway to get to this station for…read moresome cost-saving gas prices!
Hawthorne's Costco Gasoline station location was a revelation to me since I was rarely in this part of the South Bay outside of the actual beaches themselves. However, I needed some gas and wanted something that wasn't going to break the bank before I arrived at a weekend-long extended-hours work event in nearby Redondo Beach. On average, Costco's gas prices were usually about $0.20/gallon cheaper than the going rate everywhere else, and I was always about value. However, this particular location wasn't visible off the nearest freeways (e.g. 105, 110, 405) but somewhat easy to get to once you exited the freeway. In this particular case, I simply took local side streets which was easier than getting back on the freeway. How would this location compare with others within the chain I've dealt with and in the area!?
PURCHASE(S)
87 Unleaded Gas ($71.01): I was below the ¼-tank marker and felt it was better to be safe than sorry. Although the place was relatively busy, I carefully pulled into a pump lane and fueled up once it was my turn. After 12.460 gallons of gas at $5.699/gallon, my CRV was full and ready to go.
SERVICE
Unless there was something wrong with the pump you were at, the machine was out of receipt paper, or your Costco membership card wasn't working, it was all self-service. Thankfully, my pump flowed at a good pace. I didn't happen to see any employees milling around for any customer support like other locations. Otherwise... all was good.
PARKING
(N/A) None specifically for the gas station. However, there were plenty of spots that surrounded the station and plenty more as you drove away and headed towards the actual warehouse where they had a massive private lot - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Located within a car dealership hub that featured Porsche, Subaru, and Volkswagen off of Hindry Ave., this was a large gas station with fairly wide one-way aisles all with long lanes that allowed you to maneuver and navigate by cars as you pulled into a pump. It had a total of 28 pump stations (8 gas lanes with 4 double-sided pump columns with 6 and 8 pumps each, respectively). However, no soapy suds, squeaky squeegees, paper towels, and air or water stations - just like all other Costco gas stations I've been to. But, there were places to dump any trash you had. The pump stations were completely covered from the elements unless a hurricane or tornado headed towards you. There appeared to be only one way to enter the queuing area which alleviated any confusion, congestion, or traffic jams that potentially spilled into the surrounding parking spaces, and only one exit. There was plenty of natural lighting during the day while soul-sucking fluorescent lighting filled in the rest during the evening. There were no TVs or background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=96&select=-od2hbNUAuqMrB9tzRU5hg
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Costco Gasoline Hawthorne's location satisfied my particular need, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to come here. There was potential for snaking traffic as you tried to get to this place and wasn't visible from the main street. This location appeared to share the same daily extended hours (e.g. MO-FR 5:30am - 10:00pm, SA 6:00am - 8:30pm, SU 6:00am - 7:30pm) I've seen at others which was great for commuters. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $71.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, Costco only accepted VISA credit cards and not mine of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS