If you’ve ever had a busy day and your tire pressure light comes on, you know what a hassle it can be to find free air for tires. Because let’s be real, who has a bunch of quarters lying around to air up your tires? I know I don’t. Not only that, air can be expensive for a quick pump! I never understood why we have to pay money for something that’s free outside anyway.
Riding around on low tires can be bad for your tires but also your fuel efficiency. So to save on gas and make sure you don’t have to constantly buy new tires, be sure to check your tire pressure and top off when needed.
We’ve saved you time when Googling “Where to find free air for tires” and put together this list of places. Most are national chains so you can find them just about anywhere you travel.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, download the KCL app or text HACKS to 57299.
Where to get free air for tires near me?
If you’re looking for a top-off in California, state law requires that all stations offer free air for customers. Those driving in Connecticut also benefit from a similar state law, but fortunately, you don’t have to buy anything to take advantage of their free pumping services.
For the rest of us though, you’ll need to do a bit of research before you drive all around town to top off your tires for free.
Which gas stations offer free air?
You’d be surprised to learn that not every gas station offers free air for your tires. Even if you’re a paying customer, you may need to pay an additional fee to fill up on air. Many gas stations will offer air pumping stations for you to use, but they’re often a paid service.
If you’re in a pinch, you’ll probably need around $1.50 – $2 in quarters to be able to fill up your tires. Some air pump machines will offer the option to use a credit card, but this may or may not come with a fee.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list to help make this task a bit less of a hassle. Here’s where you can find free air for tires the next time you’re in need and you don’t have spare change! We’ve ranked each spot that offers free air for tires below by their size and available locations, so you should be able to find the biggest chains and a few smaller gas station options that offer free air near you.
RELATED: 9 Car Washes and Gas Stations With a Free Vacuum
Kroger
Kroger is one of the biggest grocery store chains in the nation and has just as many fuel locations. If you’re in one of the 37 states that have a Kroger, you can stop at one of over 1,200 fuel locations that provide free air.
You don’t need to be a customer at Kroger to take advantage of the free air for your tires, but be aware that not every grocery store will have fuel. Just look for a Kroger with pumps and you’ll be good to go!
Costco
Costco doesn’t just offer great deals on bulk toilet paper and $1.50 hot dogs — you can also air up your tires. Each Costco Tire Center will allow you to air up your tires for free!
Hours may vary by location, but Costco Tire Service centers are typically open seven days a week from around 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. during the week and from around 9:30 or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
With over 800 locations in over 46 states throughout the United States, it’s a one-stop shop for deals and free air for your tires!
Not a Costco member yet? Check out how a Costco membership can save you money.
Wawa
IYKYK, gas station edition! People along the East Coast love Wawa, and for good reason. Beyond their delicious hoagies and robust coffee selection, Wawa also offers free air for your tires!
With over 900 locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Florida, they have plenty of locations. If you’re lucky enough to find a Wawa, you can get free air for your tires, too.
QuikTrip
QuikTrip is another crowd favorite. While they regularly give customers who download their app a free drink, they always give their customers free air for their tires! QuikTrip boasts over 950 locations in 16 states.
So if you’re looking for a gas station that offers both Pepsi and Coke in their fountain drink selections and free air for your tires, head on over to QT!
RELATED: Pump the Brakes on Spending With the Best Fuel Rewards Programs
Sheetz
If you find yourself in one of the six states with a Sheetz gas station, you can top off your tires while you’re in. Sheetz gas stations are located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina and have over 600 locations to stop at.
You can also fill up on snacks and drinks when you stop in, as each location boasts a convenience store as well.
Sam’s Club
A perk of being a member of Sam’s Club is that you’ll also get some free tire maintenance services at their Sam’s Club Tire & Battery shops. If you stop in, employees will check your tires to let you know not only how much air you might need, but check your tire tread as well.
The hope is that you’ll stay to buy some new tires, but even if you don’t, you can take advantage of this membership perk through Sam’s Club! With over 600 Sam’s Club Tire & Battery Shops throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, you’ll likely find a shop near you.
Not a Sam’s Club member yet? Check out how to score a half off Sam’s Club membership. New to shopping at Sam’s Club? Check out our Sam’s Club store hacks and shopping tips to help make the most of your membership.
Kum & Go
Kum & Go may have an interesting name but it’s an easy choice if you’re in need of air for your tires and don’t want to bust out your quarters!
This gas station chain can be found in 11 states: Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, and Wyoming, with over 400 locations to choose from.
Stewart’s Shop
If you find yourself in need of free air for tires in the greater New York area, you can check out Stewart’s Shop. This gas station chain has over 300 stations in both New York and Vermont.
You can stock up on snacks, top off your tank and your tires, and then be on your way.
Hy-Vee
If you’re located in the Midwest, stop at Hy-Vee for groceries and for free air in your tires while you’re there. Hy-Vee has grocery stores throughout Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, with over 285 locations.
GetGo at Giant Eagle
If you live in one of the four states that have a Giant Eagle grocery store (Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio) you’ll find GetGo. You can stop in and check your air pressure and fill up your tires for free at any one of the convenient GetGo locations attached to Giant Eagle.
With over 250 locations, you can get your groceries and top off your tires all in one convenient location.
Royal Farms
If you reside in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia, you can stop off at one of nearly 250 Royal Farms locations. This chain is most prevalent in Maryland, but all locations offer free air for your tires!
GATE
With over 200 locations throughout the southeastern United States, GATE is a well-known chain in the area that offers free air. Find GATE gas stations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Rutters
Pennsylvania residents will recognize Rutters! Rutters gas stations are located throughout Pennsylvania, central Maryland, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. If you’re in the area, you can stop at one of the 80+ Rutters locations for free air for your tires.
QuickChek
While this chain is limited to New York and New Jersey, you fill up your tires for free at one of over 150 QuickChek gas stations.
Not Sure Where to Stop? Check Out FreeAirPump.com
There are times on a very long road trip you may not even know what state you’re in and Google Maps isn’t helping you figure out who offers free air. Check out FreeAirPump.com and you can easily pull up locations in every state that offer free air for your tires.
The map is user-generated and is consistently updated as new users find places that will help them fill up for free. But if you’re on two wheels instead of four and need to fill up your bike, the map also includes locations suitable for bike tires.
Tell us what you think
We're having a little work done... Comments will be back soon!