Palm Desert's Cheapest Gas Prices Are Still At Costco: Here's Why

PALM DESERT, CA — Palm Desert's cheapest choice for gas remains Costco fuel stations, according to reports from GasBuddy.com.

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County dropped Tuesday for the 25th consecutive day, decreasing 5 cents to $4.681 — its lowest price since Feb. 15.

In Palm Desert, the Costco on Dinah Shore Drive and Monterey Avenue priced regular unleaded gasoline at $4.15 per gallon, GasBuddy.com users reported Tuesday. At over 50 cents lower than the county average, that price is exclusive for Costco members, according to the Costco warehouse.

Across Riverside County, the average fuel prices have decreased 59 times in 62 days since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5. Since then, the average price has tumbled $1.692 per gallon, including another 1.6 cents on Monday, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

The average price is 25.8 cents less than one week ago and 70 cents lower than one month ago, but 6.4 cents more than one year ago.

The national average price dropped for the 27th consecutive day, decreasing 2.3 cents to $3.38. It is 14.1 cents less than one week ago and 42.4 cents lower than one month ago, but 2.2 cents more than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped 42.5 cents over the past 27 days, including 1 cent Monday. It is $1.636 lower than the record $5.016 set June 14.

Even with gas prices trending down, buying gasoline at Costco could save you money in the long run.

Volume is the greatest reason behind the company's lower prices, according to a report on MechanicBase.com. Costco sells nearly $20 billion of fuel a year, making up about 10% of the total sales at the warehouse store.

"While it’s a low-margin commodity, there’s no lack of volume happening at the pumps. In fact, one Costco location can easily sell a million gallons of fuel in a month, where the average gas station pumps out 80,000 gallons," MechanicBase.com reported.

A Costco membership starts at $60 per year, and its gasoline prices are only available to members.Costco gasoline can be cheaper for your fill-ups, even with the annual memberships, provided that you don't have to drive out of your way to line up for fuel.

Do you buy your gasoline at Costco these days? Is it worth it? Let us know in the comments.