You’re probably wondering about how many petrol stations in the US actually exist right now. Maybe you’re planning a road trip, researching for business, or just curious why that corner station vanished. I get it – last year my usual fill-up spot turned into a coffee shop. Poof! Gone.
Let’s cut straight to it: As of 2024, there are about 145,000 fueling stations operating across the United States. But that number’s slippery – we’ll dig into why later. This isn’t just a trivia answer; it’s a snapshot of America’s changing relationship with cars, energy, and roadside snacks.
📉 Quick Reality Check: Back in 1994, we had over 200,000 stations. Today’s count? Roughly 145,000. That’s a 27.5% drop. Blame electric cars, tighter profit margins, and those massive truck-stop complexes stealing business.
Why Counting Gas Stations Is Like Nailing Jell-O to a Wall
Getting an exact figure for how many petrol stations exist in the US is messy. Why? First, definitions vary. Some sources only count stations with convenience stores (about 121,000), while others include fleet-only depots or dying "gas-only" spots. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) is my go-to – they track this religiously.
Second, closures happen daily. I talked to a station owner in Ohio last month. He’s shutting down after 20 years because his profit per gallon dropped to pennies. "It’s just not worth the hassle anymore," he told me. His story isn’t unique.
What Even Counts as a "Petrol Station"?
Not all fuel points are created equal. Here’s how categories break down:
- Convenience Store + Fuel (121,000+): Your typical 7-Eleven or Shell. Sells gas, nachos, and lottery tickets.
- Truck Stops (≈6,500): Giants like Love’s or Pilot. Offer diesel lanes, showers, and 24/7 buffets.
- Fleet Fueling Centers (≈17,500): Private stations for UPS, Amazon vans, etc. Not open to you and me.
- Standalone Pumps (Rare): Mostly rural. I saw one in Montana last summer – just two pumps and an honor-system cash box.
The Shrinking Gas Station Universe (By the Numbers)
A decade-by-decade look tells a stark story:
| Year | Total US Gas Stations | Key Events Driving Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | ≈226,000 | Peak station count pre-EPA regulations |
| 1994 | ≈202,000 | Clean Air Act amendments force upgrades |
| 2005 | ≈168,000 | Hurricane Katrina spikes oil prices |
| 2021 | ≈150,000 | COVID travel collapse |
| 2024 | ≈145,000 | EV surge & corporate consolidation |
Notice that dip? I remember pulling into half-empty stations during COVID. Felt apocalyptic. But the real story isn’t just fewer stations – it’s bigger ones. Corporations like Circle K buy up small operators. One mega-station replaces three family-run shops.
Where Gas Stations Are Growing (And Vanishing)
States with booming populations or oil production add stations. Rural areas? Not so much. Here’s the uneven geography of how many petrol stations exist in the US:
| State | Gas Stations (2024) | Per 100k Residents | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | ≈12,400 | 41.5 | ↑ New stations near Permian Basin |
| California | ≈10,900 | 27.8 | ↓ Closures due to EV incentives |
| Florida | ≈9,700 | 43.6 | ↑ Tourism drives growth |
| Wyoming | ≈480 | 82.9 | → Stable but vulnerable |
| New York | ≈6,300 | 31.9 | ↓ NYC stations converting to development |
Wyoming’s high per-capita count makes sense – you’ll run dry driving across that emptiness. But in Manhattan? Good luck finding affordable real estate for a gas station. Most have vanished since my first visit in 2010.
Who Owns America’s Pumps?
Forget mom-and-pop shops. Today, 60% of stations are branded under big players. Spoiler: They don’t always own the station – just supply the gas.
| Brand | Approx. Stations | Market Share | What Sets Them Apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell | 14,000+ | 12.1% | Global giant; premium fuel options |
| ExxonMobil | 12,000+ | 10.4% | Speedpass app; mostly company-owned |
| Chevron | 8,000+ | 6.9% | Techron additive; strong West Coast presence |
| Circle K | 7,000+ | 6.0% | Emphasis on convenience stores |
| BP | 6,500+ | 5.6% | Rebranding from Amoco; EV investments |
Fun fact: Many "BP" stations are actually franchisees. My cousin runs one in Georgia – he complains about razor-thin margins and BP’s mandatory decor updates. Still, brand loyalty matters. Drivers will cross streets for their preferred fuel.
⛽ Fuel Profit Truth: Stations earn 80-85% of profits from snacks/drinks, not gas. That $1.50 coffee? Pays for the pump maintenance. No joke.
Electric Cars vs. Gas Stations: Who Wins?
Here’s what keeps station owners awake: Tesla’s charging network now covers major highways. Last year, I drove a Model 3 from LA to Vegas – never touched a gas pump. Stations are adapting in three ways:
- Adding EV Chargers: 7% of stations now have them (per JD Power). Mostly in wealthy suburbs.
- Upscale Convenience: Think artisanal sandwiches and yoga mats. Yes, really.
- Hydrogen Experiments: California has 55 hydrogen stations. Mostly empty when I visited.
But let’s be real – charging takes 30 minutes, not 5. Until that changes, gas stations have breathing room. Maybe 20 years? Tops.
Gas Station Economics: Why Your Local Station Closed
Running a station is brutal. Margins per gallon? Often $0.05-$0.10. Blame:
- Credit Card Fees (2-3%): Kills profit on cheap fill-ups
- Underground Tank Upgrades ($100k+): EPA mandates hit small owners hardest
- Land Value Taxes: Corner lots in growing cities = tax nightmares
A Tucson owner told me: "Selling the land to a condo developer was my retirement plan." Not everyone hates the decline.
FAQs: Answering Your Gas Station Questions
How many petrol stations are in the US compared to Europe?
Germany has about 14,400 stations for 84 million people. The US has 145,000 for 335 million. We have twice as many per capita – blame our sprawl and cheap gas culture.
Which state has the most gas stations?
Texas (12,400+) wins by far. California is second but losing stations fastest due to EV policies and insane real estate costs. I once paid $6.89/gallon outside San Francisco. Still traumatized.
How many gas stations close per year?
≈1,500 net closures annually since 2020. COVID accelerated the trend. Most are older stations lacking space for convenience stores.
Will gas stations disappear completely?
Not soon. Rural areas and trucking will need liquid fuel for decades. But by 2040? Expect fewer stations selling more snacks and maybe hydrogen.
How many petrol stations in the US offer EV charging?
About 10,100 as of 2024 – mostly Electrify America or Tesla plugs. Shell’s adding them fastest.
The Future: Gas Stations in 2035
Imagine this: You pull into "Energy & Eats." Charge your EV for 15 minutes while grabbing sushi. Fuel cell trucks refuel out back. Gas pumps? Down to two lanes.
Experts predict:
- Station count drops to ≈115,000 by 2030
- EV revenue surpasses gas by 2035
- 50% offer delivery (like Amazon Lockers for your gas-free snacks)
Personally, I’ll miss the nostalgia – the smell of gasoline, the soda slushies, that weird hot dog roller. But hey, progress rolls on. So cherish that corner station while it lasts.
Final truth? Pinpointing exactly how many petrol stations in the US operate today is impossible. But ≈145,000 is our best snapshot. And that number’s shrinking faster than a cheap t-shirt in hot water.
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