76 · free air
Do 76 gas stations have free air?
Short answer
Depends on the storeIn California, yes for fuel customers, by law, and that is where most 76 stations are. Elsewhere the independent owner decides whether air is free.
- 76 locations mapped
- 830
- states
- 17
- free or usually free
- 717
- open 24/7 (known hours)
- 76 %
The orange ball
76 sells the fuel and the sign, but almost every 76 station is owned by an independent dealer or a regional fuel company. Whether air is free, coin-operated or missing is the owner's call, not 76's.
76, once Union 76 and Unocal 76, now belongs to Phillips 66 and is most common on the West Coast.
How to use the air at 76
- Find your target pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door, not the maximum on the tire.
- Park so the hose reaches all four tires and unscrew the valve caps.
- If the machine asks for coins, ask the cashier whether they can switch it to free.
- Fill in short bursts until the reading matches, then put the caps back on.
Free by law in California and Connecticut
715 of the 76 locations on our map (86 %) are in California or Connecticut. There, gas stations have to give free air: in California to customers who buy fuel, in Connecticut to anyone while the station is open. If the machine asks for coins, ask the cashier to switch it on.
Cold weather and your tires
Most 76 locations on our map are in California, where the average temperature drops from about 78 °F in July to 46 °F in January (NOAA). Tire pressure falls roughly 1 PSI for every 10 °F, so tires set correctly in summer are about 3 PSI low by midwinter. Check them monthly, and always when the low-pressure light comes on.
Where to find 76 air pumps
76 locations with air on our map, by state. Each state page lists every chain and city with free air there.
Cities with the most 76 locations
Other free air in California, Washington and Oregon
If the 76 near you charges for air, these chains are usually free in the same area.
- Les SchwabFree, staff fill381 locations in these states
- Lowe'sUsually free159 locations in these states
- Discount TireFree, staff fill89 locations in these states
- Pilot and Flying JUsually free62 locations in these states
- Kwik TripUsually free1 locations in these states
- KrogerUsually free1 locations in these states
76 free air: questions
Is air free at 76 in California?
Yes, for customers who buy fuel, under California law.
How many 76 locations have air?
We have 830 76 locations with an air pump or free air service on the map, in 17 states. The most are in California (715), Washington (54) and Oregon (36). If one is missing, you can add it.
Is the air at 76 available 24 hours?
Where we know the opening hours, 76 % of 76 locations on the map are open 24/7 (58 of 76). The air machine usually works whenever the store is open. Tap a pin to see the hours for a specific location.
Where is the nearest 76 with free air?
Use the map on this page: it starts with 76 locations only. Tap the location button or search your city or ZIP code, and the list sorts every spot by distance. Untick “76 only” to see every other free air pump nearby too.
Air policies are set store by store and can change. What we show is based on OpenStreetMap, the chain's store list and reports from drivers. Report a 76 with free or paid air · All chains