ARCO · free air
Does ARCO have free air?
Short answer
Depends on the storeIn California, yes for fuel customers, by law, and most ARCO stations are in California. Elsewhere in the West, the station owner decides; many ARCO stations have no air machine at all.
- ARCO locations mapped
- 894
- states
- 11
- free or usually free
- 827
- open 24/7 (known hours)
- 95 %
ARCO and air
ARCO is a low-price fuel brand found in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona. Most ARCO stations are run by independent owners and keep the extras minimal.
If an ARCO in California has an air machine that wants coins, buy fuel and ask the cashier: state law requires free air for fuel customers.
How to use the air at ARCO
- 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
825 of the ARCO locations on our map (92 %) 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 ARCO 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 ARCO air pumps
ARCO locations with air on our map, by state. Each state page lists every chain and city with free air there.
Cities with the most ARCO locations
Other free air in California, Washington and Oregon
If the ARCO 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
ARCO free air: questions
Is ARCO air free in California?
Yes, for customers who buy fuel. California law requires it.
How many ARCO locations have air?
We have 894 ARCO locations with an air pump or free air service on the map, in 11 states. The most are in California (826), Washington (39) and Oregon (14). If one is missing, you can add it.
Is the air at ARCO available 24 hours?
Where we know the opening hours, 95 % of ARCO locations on the map are open 24/7 (74 of 78). 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 ARCO with free air?
Use the map on this page: it starts with ARCO locations only. Tap the location button or search your city or ZIP code, and the list sorts every spot by distance. Untick “ARCO 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 ARCO with free or paid air · All chains