tip: buy the arco prepaid card at safeway with a credit card (so you can get your rewards/miles!) use the card at the pump and you do not get charged the surcharge fee for realz! read more

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This gas station has the cheapest prices in the Peninsula. It is conveniently located right off the Delaware exit off of the 92 freeway and close to the 101. My office is nearby so I come to fill up often. The car wash is also reasonably priced. One thing to note is Arco doesn't accept credit cards and charges a small fee for using a debit card. It gets crowded and they have markings to indicate one way on half of the station and the other way on the other side. This helps with the traffic flow and makes it less chaotic but unfortunately there is always that one ass clown who chooses to ignore basic arrow directions, cuts in front of others who are going the right way. read more

Bad carwash, don't bother using. The machine grabbed my folded-in side mirror and bent it backwards. My back window also wasn't cleaned, and I had to use the hand squeegee by the gas pumps to touch up. read more

So some mofo decided to leave a piece of small metal on the ground somewhere one day, and my vehicle had the unfortunate pleasure of running over it. And the thing was sharper and hit deeper than Ron Jeremy or Peter North ever will in their repertoire. When a tire is punctured, you keep your fingers crossed it's not so deep that it can be patched. With that gamble of the dice in mind, I schlepped the vehicle over to this Arco (also known as cheapest gas in Foster City), to their auto repair and servicing station to see what can be done. The mechanics here all speak Cantonese and the guy I dealt with was fluent in English as well. One quick look after taking the tire out, and he said the metallic Ron Jeremy poked so hard that my tire could not be saved. The cost of replacing the flat with the spare, and junking the tire was an el quicko $10 job. For a moment during the wait, I felt like I was transported to some part of non touristy Hong Kong, like in an auto body shop or hole in the wall restaurant. The mechanics were working and conversing with each other (in Cantonese of course). These guys swore more than the average sailor, similarly to how often the typical NorCal girl uses the word "like" when they need to do a break in the sentence to gather their thoughts. NorCal girl example: "you know, like, blah blah blah blah, like, blah blah blah blah blahditty blah blah blah, like this is like totally hella blahh ditty doo" but in Cantonese it's similar along the line of "waaa, F your mom, blah blah blah, this smelly c*nt drop dead MF hope his entire family dies, is really something else (in reference to either a person, state of mind, an object inanimate or not, just to make a point, pointless or not), MF suck my balls/eat my banana, I need that wrench over there into next Tuesday, bitch betta have my money I need to take a shit etc" rough translation of the above "dang dood, this is unbelieveable and unreasonable, may I please have the wrench?" 3 stars for the quick tire diagnosis turnaround, and for the entertainment during the wait (and for the cheap gas next door). read more

This had been my go-to place for gas on the Peninsula for years. Easy to get to from both the 101 and 92. And it's expanded over the years. Love those prices. So I pulled in to fill 'er up . . . and all of the payment machines are now CASH ONLY. Who carries around that much cash anymore? Not too convenient. So I left, but it's awfully hard to get out on the freeway side unless you're turning right, and why not go out on Delaware anyway if you're going that way. Disappointed . . . read more

The other day: 3.25 near my house, 2.69 at this Arco. Keep in mind that I'm comparing Palo Alto to San Mateo. They charge $0.45 for the privilege of using a credit card. If the sun is out, this station will be crowded. read more

On a certain Friday morning @ 4.30am I inserted $45 into their cash kiosk that is located by the gas pumps. I have visited this gas station before during this time period. When I selected the pump I was surprised to see that the pump was locked. I then went back to the kiosk and selected print receipt. The kiosk said to collect receipt inside. This was impossible since there was no attendant on duty. I drove back to the station after work and spoke with Arthur, the manager. He took my phone and told me he would check the #s at the end of the day and get back to me. I never heard from him. When I went back to the station the next week Arthur told me there was no overage on the day in question. I told him that he should check the cameras or the kiosk entry. He wouldn't hear of it. I told him that if the station isn't operating, his kiosk shouldn't take money. (Remember, I've bought gas at 4.30am before from this station). At this point Arthur wouldn't budge so I left short $45.00. Out of principal I will not patronize this station again. read more

Arco is one of the cheapest gas stations around, which is why there is almost always a line to fill up. (Trust me, I live across the street.) Pay with cash or debit card, no credit cards. After waiting 15min for a station, I decided to try the car wash. Big mistake. First, you need exact change in cash to use the car wash. Second, there was a middle-aged man without a uniform standing beside the pay station who I finally realized was the attendant when he came up to my window and stood there staring at me. I took the opportunity to ask him for change. After paying, he tried to direct me into the wheel "track" for the car wash, and refused to come over to the car when I didn't understand his directions. I finally got on the track and went through the car wash. It was a much more stressful experience than it should have been. If anyone reading this knows of a decent touchless car wash in the area, I would be very appreciative. I will not be using Arco's again. read more

Had an insane experience today at this gas station. Yeah, the price for gas is some of the cheapest on the Peninsula, but count your change. The couple working the register were ripping everyone off. Just a quarter here and there, but I guess it adds up for the petty thieves. Reported to the manager, hopefully they're gone by now. read more

Love getting gas at this place and the price even Costco can't beat! I just wish it's much closer to where I live!

I hate this ARCO for the following (very important and valid) reasons: 1. They charge $.40 cents for debit card payment, and they don't accept credit cards. I usually get about 12 gallons when I fill up my tank, so that's about an extra $.03-.04 cents per gallon in basically hidden charges. 2. The Shell and 76 stations across the street accept all forms of payment, and is never more than $.05 or $.06 more per gallon, not including ARCO's stupid payment surcharge. 3. ARCO is always incredibly busy, despite the lack of real savings, which causes a lot of traffic at this intersection. Worse, people are always pulling out right in front of me as I exit hwy 92 East onto Delware. ARCO drivers are stupid. 4. The window washer buckets at this ARCO never, and I mean never, have anything other than the nastiest dirty water. And the squeegees are usually in tatters. Other gas stations, like the ones across the street, actually put window washer fluid in their buckets, and maintain their equipment. 5. I bought gas there at ARCO a few months ago and the pump continued to increase my bill after I stopped pumping gas! The cents on the meter slowly ticked up after I had stopped pumping until I put the nozzle back in its holster. No gas coming out, but I was being charged. I complained and the guy couldn't understand what I was saying. Bastards. In short, get gas at one of the two less crowded, better maintained, not significantly more expensive stations across the street. They have better gas, too. read more

This ARCO for the win! Yes, you do have to deal with paying $0.45 if you use a debit card and they don't accept credit cards (true of all ARCOs), but I'll tell you what you DON'T have to deal with: hookers, hypodermic needles, homeless hecklers, a-holes that won't let you use the bathroom during normal hours. Other Yelpers talked about this place being crowded, but I've actually never had to wait for a pump here. Maybe I'm lucky. I'm giving this 4 stars because it is the cheapest gas around for miles. And believe me, I've looked. read more

Better than most other gas station options around, but getting into, finding a pump and back out is a challenge. Even coming on a Friday late afternoon was hard to go in and out. read more

ARCO - 2pm on a weekday - Gas Stations Near Me - San Mateo, California

Doesn't take credit cards and charges a fee for debit. That's insecure and inconvenient.

Gas is cheap. The station is bright and clean and next to a police station. If you don't want to pay the surcharge you have two options: 1) PAY CASH. 2) Pay extra at another station. Don't complain. Car wash is nifty. Also, gasoline is all the same. Arco shares refineries with many other big stations in the area. Yes, there are different octane levels but you have to pay for higher ones. read more

I call this The People's Arco. Since it's so low-priced, all walks of life get in line. It's pretty well-maintained for a place that constantly has customers. The waits can get frustrating during busy times (weekends mostly), especially when someone cuts. Making that right turn to either get back onto the 92 or Delaware can take forever, too. Other than these, the very decent price makes a fuel-up here worth it. read more

In the recent months, this has been the cheapest gas station from SF to San Mateo. Fortunately I make my way out here weekly so I pump $20 worth of gas each time. I don't drive much so that generally keeps my tank between half full and nearly all full. It's usually fairly busy, but I haven't had to wait for a pump. I go in the evenings on weekdays. Most pumps are usually taken, but there's one or two free. I like cheap. So I like this place. But only as long as it stays cheap. read more

My fave place for the cheapest gas in the San Mateo/Redwood City area. Yes, they are a pain in that they charge a fee for ATM and credit cards but if you always go there armed with cash, you'll be golden. Bottom line: Cash is king and if you go there with cash, best gas price in the area. read more

Cheapest gas in San Mateo. $2.19 on 2/8/16 with cash. A tad out of the way but no one else can compete with this guys even though the Exxon next door tries to. read more

ARCO - 2/8/16 - Gas Stations Near Me - San Mateo, California

Staff are rude and not friendly. They put my gas pipe wrong and refused to get a refund.

I love the gas prices. FYI, they no longer have propane bottle exchange.

cheapest gas in san mateo, but cash only, if you want the cheap price. bonus has a car wash. read more

3.5 stars. This Arco is one of the cheapest gas stations you'll find around the Peninsula area, but there is often a long wait to get your gas. Of course, it's cash only unless you want to pay and extra $0.45 or something like that to use your credit card. read more

I make this mistake every time. I look at the prices at Arco and compare it to another gas station that it is next to and pull in here since it is cheaper. Then I realize that they only accept cash or debit (with a 35 cent fee). Perhaps it is still cheaper at the end of the day but still bugs me. read more

Very accessible location. Open 24/7/365-reliably and generally the least expensive gas around, not counting Taco Bell. Their car wash attendants are super-friendly and helpful and they're the next best thing to a real store for snacks and your very basic road-related items. Their separate automotive store and car wash have different hours. Always open for gas, inexpensive fuel and a car wash. That about covers it for me. Five out of five. read more

Had a great experience here and this is based on my 3rd trip to this place. First of all the price is very good at around 7 bucks for the outside only wash but i have to say they have an employee named Patrick that is probably the reason I use this place. 3 times in a row he saved my but 2 times I had a window cracked open and another my gas cap was left on the outside of my car and probably would have been lost in the abyss had he not stopped the whole thing and grabbed it off my roof. My benz looks great and thank god I did not get the interior soaked with all of my work/personal documents for my tax guy in the back that took me about a month to get together. Anyhow, thanks Patrick you will be onto bigger and better things sooner than later if you keep doing what your doing. I would recommend based on someone paying attention to detail at the place. The gas price is also the best around hands down. read more

This is a huge station. I didn't count how many fuel pumps there were, but there but there are a lot. It's cheap too! I paid under $3.00 per gallon today for ARCO 's Unleaded Premium variety. I realize that the low price has as much to do with ARCO as it does with OPEC's desire to continue producing despite recent sharp price drops of West Texas Intermediate and Brent Light Sweet Crude oil. Nevertheless, geopolitics aside, I'm a fan of this station. read more

I have just got to give 5 stars to balance out the corny low ratings people are giving. Do I need to refute their arguments? Can anyone prove that this gas is poor quality? Is it poorer than more expensive ARCO stations? If not, then why pay more? I find I get the same power and mileage from this gas as any other. What about "hidden charges"? NO such thing here. It's public knowledge they charge more for using a credit card or ATM. It's been like that at all ARCO stations for over 20 years. So bring cash, big deal. In summary, come here if you want cheap gas, maybe the cheapest in San Mateo County, if you want easy access from Rt92 east, if you want to pay cash. read more

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. While I enjoy the cheap gas. I do not enjoy the death match that is trying to get in line and find a free pump. People are vicious! read more

convenient, by the freeway. jumbo size ARCO, with hella pumps...... but so many people waiting in line. nice cashiers, SHON is always fast and friendly. it's a popular ARCO, what do you want? 4 stars because I have no reason to give less. INSIDER TIP: try the pumps on both sides if one side is full read more

Cheap gas!!! Me and my car both love it! This gas station is huge but it is always packed because it is so awesome! Usually gas stations that are located right next to bridge entrances are abusively expensive because they figure they have a captive audience. This gas station is not like that at all. I will go out of my way to go to this gas station to reward their good behavior. Awesome!!!!!!! read more

Love it cheap and convenient, staff is generally really nice. Yes it can have a wait but it's fine because that's normal for a good business

Great gas station. So many pumps to choose from. Pretty full all the time because it had the cheapest gas prices but the wait is quick. The hoses go all the way to the other side of cars. Cash or debit card only. Debit card has a 35 cent fee. read more

I just found out that when you pay with debit card inside Arco booth the first receipt that prints shows your ENTIRE banking account balance. If this isn't horrifying I don't know what is! read more

Love it here, its the most reasonable priced gas in San Mateo and its right by my office. The $7 car wash is good too for a fast outside wash. read more

I am somewhat shocked after reading all the reviews that this station hasn't been shut down. I thought I was an ' isolated incident', as I have also been going there for gas and car washes for several years because of the great 'prudent' prices. This time I put the car (actually my Escalade truck, as it's gone through many times before without incident) the start of the wash, I had my driver put it through. I am recovering from a major surgery and am on two canes currently. As the truck started to go through, the tires bounced out of the track, and the truck hit a pole inside the wash.. The attendant guided the truck back into the track and it repeated the bounce again, right out of the track. I sounded the horn until the attendant back into the wash. I ordered them to shut down the wash, and I had to de-cend out of the truck with my two canes into a very wet area and walk out of the wash. We verbally went back and forth until I called Triple A who had to carefully drive my truck out of the wash. After he heard the story, he recommended I call the PD and have the wash shut down, I followed that suit; as I've been in Law Enforcement myself for years before IDR and wanted some solution to this crazy incident. Management said, "We don't have time for this"..........I said WHAT.......?. You will regret that response. Over two hours there, I was never offered any chair or couch to sit. I had two rods and 32 screws placed in my back, and with complications to that, I am still dealing with the challenges. Thank God there was a gentleman behind us that just retired from being a truck driver sand helped as much as he could. I had no idea that this is a common response of this as station when problems arise, think it's time to stop from them from getting away with this type of activity. When my insurance company called them for their information, they refused to hand it over to the insurance company, and the damage to the vehicle was around $1000.00, the med bills haven't been added up yet, but there will be some. I really can't believe that they have gotten away with this kind of behavior for this long. Most people just say, Dammit, and forget about it, too time consuming. Well, they just stop getting away with it................as far as I'm concerned. Time to call them 'front and center'. Don't usually post like this, but this is just way too unacceptable. read more

I will never go hear again Javier cruz an attendant was extreemly rude staring at my wife for sevral minutes wail i pumped gas and she walked our dog. When i asked him why he is glaring at my wife he aggresivly and rudely responds "i am making sure she picks up the shit".... The dog is a trained service animal and she had a bag in her hand never been treated so rude in my life. read more

Cheapest around, and very clean! Even if there's a line, it moves quickly. Just remember to bring your cash - they change for debit!

Yeah, this place is not good. Certainly they have low prices, but you pay the difference in hassles. Jammed with cars, it's nigh impossible to get to a pump. Once you finally do, the real ordeal begins. After five -- count them, five -- unsuccessful attempts to give this Arco station money, I gave up and went across the street. This Arco declined one bank card, two different credit/debit cards, and even refused my cash ($10s & $20s only). Across the street at the 76 station, they easily took the very same cards (using credit, granted) and I filled up my tank. I would not go here again. Ever. read more

The only reason I give this station one star is the cheap gas. Other than that, this place sucks. I don't mind the atm fee, but the atms never work. It's asks if you want to be charged (or something like that) and I press the yes, button. Then, it decides to cancel my transaction. WTF? I pressed yes. So I try again. This time it accepts my yes push and asks me to enter my pin. I do this, press enter then the screen goes blank and comes back on and asks me to enter my pin again. This happens almost every time I go there. Well, I've had it with this station. They can't keep the equipment working right and when you tell the attendant about the faulty equipment they look at you with the "I don't care" attitude. See ya Arco, hope your nice new station goes under soon. read more