Complete Guide: The 10 Best Gas Stations in New York City
Complete Guide: The 10 Best Gas Stations in New York City
By: AZ New York Staff
New York City: Navigating the Five Boroughs
Driving in New York City is an experience unlike any other. It means navigating the dense traffic of the five boroughs, paying high prices for parking, and, most challenging of all, finding a gas station. Stations are incredibly scarce in Manhattan, while the outer boroughs (Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island) serve as critical refueling hubs for millions of commuters.
With approximately 920 gas stations spread across the city, this guide highlights the best options in each borough, from the cheapest gas at Costco to critical 24-hour highway stops.
| Nearby Area / Borough | Approx. Nº of Stations | Approx. Distance (from Midtown Manhattan) |
|---|---|---|
| Queens, NY | ~370 | ~10 miles |
| Brooklyn, NY | ~280 | ~9 miles |
| The Bronx, NY | ~180 | ~12 miles |
| Staten Island, NY | ~55 | ~20 miles |
| Nassau County, NY | ~535 | ~20 miles |
| Yonkers, NY (Westchester) | ~30 | ~15 miles |
| Jersey City, NJ | ~25 | ~4 miles |
| Elizabeth, NJ | ~30 | ~15 miles |
| Fort Lee, NJ | ~10 | ~10 miles |
| Hempstead, NY (Nassau) | ~20 | ~22 miles |
Useful Tips for Drivers in NYC
- Manhattan Scarcity: Be prepared. There are fewer than 35 gas stations left in all of Manhattan. Gas prices are extremely high. Never let your tank get low in Manhattan.
- Staten Island Value: Due to lower taxes and more space, Staten Island consistently has the cheapest gas in all of New York City.
- Costco is King: For ‘Top Tier’ gas at the lowest gas prices, Costco is unbeatable. Be prepared for long lines, especially on weekends (members only).
- Cash vs. Credit: Almost all stations in NYC, especially independent ones, offer a significant discount (often 10-20 cents per gallon) for paying with cash.
- Highway Stations: Some major highways, like the FDR Drive, Major Deegan Expressway, and Cross Island Parkway, have rare service stations directly on them. These are convenient but usually very expensive.
Curiosity: Is ‘Top Tier’ Gasoline Worth the Price?
‘Top Tier’ is a fuel standard, backed by major auto manufacturers, for gasoline with a higher concentration of cleaning detergents. Brands like Shell, Exxon, Mobil, BP, and Costco are all ‘Top Tier’. While all gas sold in the U.S. must meet basic EPA standards, regular use of Top Tier gas (like Shell V-Power or Mobil Synergy) can help prevent carbon buildup and maintain performance in modern engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s the difference between Regular (87), Mid-Grade (89), and Premium (93) gasoline?
- The numbers (87, 89, 93) refer to the octane rating. High-performance engines often require premium (higher octane) fuel to prevent ‘knocking’ or ‘pinging’. Most cars are designed to run perfectly on Regular (87). Using premium in a car that only needs regular usually offers no benefit.
- Is it safe to buy gas from unbranded or independent stations?
- Yes. All gasoline sold in the U.S. must meet EPA standards. While major brands (Shell, Exxon, BP) add their own proprietary detergent packages (‘Top Tier’ gasoline), unbranded gas is not ‘bad’ and comes from the same refineries. The key is to buy from a high-volume station where the fuel is fresh.
- What is E15 or E85 gasoline?
- E15 (or ‘Unleaded 88’) is gasoline with 15% ethanol, approved for cars made in 2001 or newer. E85 (Flex Fuel) contains 51%-83% ethanol and can *only* be used in vehicles specifically designated as ‘Flex Fuel’. Check your car’s manual or gas cap before using either.
Can I mix premium and regular gas?
- Yes. If your car requires premium and you accidentally put in regular, it’s best to top it off with premium as soon as possible to raise the octane level. If your car only requires regular, mixing in premium won’t hurt anything, but it will waste money.
Ranking: The 10 Best Gas Stations in New York City
In this AZ New York analysis, we’ve selected two standout stations from each of the five boroughs. This list balances price (Costco), brand reliability (Shell, Mobil, BP), and critical, strategic locations (near highways, airports, and bridges).
1. Mobil (Manhattan – West Side)
Address: 718 11th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Telefone: (212) 974-0243
Site: exxon.com
Services: Synergy™ Gasoline, Convenience Store, 24/7.
Justification: One of the last remaining gas stations on the West Side of Manhattan. It’s a critical, 24/7 refueling spot for drivers using the West Side Highway (NY-9A) and for residents of Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West.
2. BP (Manhattan – East Side/FDR)
Address: 2430 FDR Dr (Service Rd), New York, NY 10010
Telefone: (212) 213-3541
Site: bp.com
Services: Gasoline with Amoco Invigorate, Convenience Store, 24/7.
Justification: A rare BP fuel station located directly on the FDR Drive service road. This is one of the only convenient options for drivers on the East Side of Lower Manhattan, serving Kips Bay, Murray Hill, and the tunnel traffic.
3. Costco Gas Station (Brooklyn – Sunset Park)
Address: 976 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Telefone: (718) 965-7603
Site: costco.com
Services: Top Tier Regular (87), Top Tier Premium (93), Air Pump.
Justification: The go-to station for the best gas prices in Brooklyn. Located right off the BQE (I-278) in Sunset Park, its high volume ensures fresh, Top Tier fuel, but be prepared for lines (members only).
4. BP (Brooklyn – Gowanus/Tunnel)
Address: 327 Hamilton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Telefone: (718) 243-1565
Site: bp.com
Services: Gasoline with Amoco Invigorate, Convenience Store, 24/7.
Justification: A highly strategic 24/7 BP gas station near the intersection of the BQE and the entrance to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. It’s the last stop in Brooklyn before heading into Manhattan.
5. Costco Gas Station (Queens – Rego Park)
Address: 6135 Junction Blvd, Rego Park, NY 11374
Telefone: (718) 760-6470
Site: costco.com
Services: Top Tier Regular (87), Top Tier Premium (93), Air Pump.
Justification: One of the most popular and cheapest gas stations in Queens. Its location right off the Long Island Expressway (LIE / I-495) makes it a convenient (though busy) stop for commuters (members only).
6. Sunoco (Queens – Near JFK Airport)
Address: 150-01 148th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11430
Telefone: (732) 946-6065
Site: sunoco.com
Services: Top Tier Gasoline (All Grades), Diesel, 24/7, Restrooms.
Justification: A critical 24/7 Sunoco gas station for travelers and rental car returns. It’s located just outside the JFK Airport perimeter, offering Top Tier gas and diesel fuel near the airport.
7. Mobil (The Bronx – Major Deegan Expy)
Address: 71 Major Deegan Expressway, Bronx, NY 10471
Telefone: (718) 502-9268
Site: exxon.com
Services: Synergy™ Gasoline, Convenience Store, 24/7.
Justification: A rare service plaza located directly *on* the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) Southbound. This Mobil gas station is an essential stop for drivers heading south towards Manhattan from Westchester.
8. Shell (The Bronx – Bruckner Expy)
Address: 1500 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10473
Telefone: (718) 589-7009
Site: shell.com
Services: Shell V-Power NiTRO+, Convenience Store, 24/7, Diesel.
Justification: This 24-hour Shell gas station is in a key location for commuters, near the Bruckner Expressway (I-278/I-95) and the entrance to the Throgs Neck Bridge. A reliable stop for V-Power and diesel.
9. Costco Gas Station (Staten Island)
Address: 2975 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314
Telefone: (718) 982-9525
Site: costco.com
Services: Top Tier Regular (87), Top Tier Premium (93), Air Pump.
Justification: Famous for having the cheapest gas in all of New York City, thanks to lower county taxes. This Costco is a destination for drivers from other boroughs looking to find the absolute lowest gas prices (members only).
10. Sunoco (Staten Island – Goethals Bridge)
Address: 700 South Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303
Telefone: (718) 982-9203
Site: sunoco.com
Services: Top Tier Gasoline, Diesel, Convenience Store, 24/7.
Justification: The last stop in New York. This 24/7 Sunoco is the closest gas station before the Goethals Bridge, making it the final chance to fuel up (especially with diesel gas) before heading into New Jersey.
What’s your pick for the best gas station in New York City? Leave your recommendation in the comments and help other drivers!
Check out other gas station guides:
- 10 Best Gas Stations in Queens, NY
- 10 Best Gas Stations in Brooklyn, NY
- 10 Best Gas Stations in Manhattan, NY
- 10 Best Gas Stations in The Bronx, NY
- 10 Best Gas Stations in Staten Island, NY
- 10 Best Gas Stations in Nassau County, NY
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