...a long time ago...
Returning a rental car? Don't fill up at the closest gas station
Trying to avoid pricey rental car refueling fees? Watch out because gas stations near airport return lots may be charging a steep convenience premium, too.
When you rent a car, you're usually given two options when it comes time to return it: Bring it back with a full tank, or let the rental car company refill it for you.
Most travelers know the second option comes at a premium. Convenience always does.
In my recent travels, rental car companies have typically charged anywhere from $2 to $3 more per gallon than local gas stations to top off the tank. Depending on the size of your rental, choosing that option can easily tack on an extra $30 to $45 to your trip. Sure, that markup is annoying, but it's standard. No surprises there.
That's why I always make it a point to find a gas station within a mile or so of the rental car return lot and fill up before dropping off the vehicle. It's one of those easy travel habits that saves real money. (Pro tip: Save your receipt, too, in case the rental car agency tries to charge you for a top off or, in this case, claims you filled up diesel).
But here's what I recently learned: Rental car companies charge a premium if you return a car without filling the tank. But travelers trying to avoid that fee may be walking into a second trap — airport-adjacent gas stations charging wildly inflated prices simply because they know you're in a hurry.
I took this photo of the ARCO gas station by Sacramento airport that routinely charge about a dollar more per gallon for the reasons stated in the article above...Theref
ore, learn from it as I did years ago as a green traveler and car rental renter:
Tram and last gas station for car renters nearest to the airport and yes, that ARCO gas station has been there a long time..:
Topic: As a regular traveler, this Sac gas station do charge $1 more so lesson learned (Read 14 times)