For many long-term travelers, a Costco membership sits in the same mental category as a timeshare or a premium credit card. It sounds useful in theory, but is it actually worth paying for if you live on the road out of a van or RV and make your budget stretch across months at a time.

That question comes up again and again in using Costco for road trips and van life, especially as fuel, food, and maintenance costs compound over long distances.

How Costco Memberships Work in 2026

Costco is a members only warehouse club, which means you cannot simply walk in and shop without paying an annual fee. In the United States, the two primary personal tiers in 2026 are the Gold Star membership at 65 dollars per year and the Executive membership at 130 dollars per year, following a fee increase that took effect in September 2024.

Both tiers give you access to all Costco warehouses, fuel stations and most services, along with a free household card that can be used by another adult in the same residence or tied to the same address for mail and billing.

The Executive tier matters for frequent travelers because it layers on a 2 percent annual reward on most Costco purchases up to a cap of 1,250 dollars per year, plus extra discounts on some Costco services including selected travel offerings.

That 2 percent reward is issued as a certificate around the time of renewal and can be used for eligible in warehouse purchases and certain travel transactions. The company has also recently added a monthly delivery credit for Executive members and is testing additional perks in select markets, which subtly increases the value proposition for heavy users.

From a road trip or van life perspective, the most important membership detail is that both tiers unlock the same core travel friendly benefits. You do not need the Executive level card to buy fuel, use the tire center, refill prescriptions or stock up on bulk pantry items.

The decision is therefore not whether you need a membership at all, but how much you realistically spend in a year and whether the upgrade to Executive will pay for itself through rewards and perks. For some full time travelers, the answer is yes. For others, the standard Gold Star tier is more than enough.

Costco has also continued to expand its warehouse network. As of 2026, there are more than 900 locations worldwide and over 600 in the United States, including a dense footprint in many suburban belts where interstate highways converge.

For overland travelers, this geographic spread is part of the appeal. It means that even on cross country routes, you will pass near multiple Costco locations where you can refuel, restock, grab an inexpensive hot meal and sometimes even get minor repairs taken care of.

Fuel, Food and the Everyday Economics of Life on the Road

For many van lifers, the single biggest recurring cost is fuel. Costco gas stations are famous for posting prices that are frequently lower than nearby competitors, sometimes by 20 to 40 cents per gallon depending on the region and moment.

On a long road trip that involves repeated fill ups of a large tank, the savings can add up quickly. If you refuel weekly and save even 15 cents per gallon on a 20 gallon tank, that is roughly 156 dollars in annual savings, more than covering a standard membership fee.

The value proposition is not identical in every location. In some metropolitan areas with aggressive competition, local stations may match or beat Costco on price. In more remote or higher cost fuel markets, the spread can be noticeable and worth a short detour from your route.

Travelers who use apps and mapping tools to compare local prices often find that Costco is consistently among the cheapest options within a given radius, particularly in suburban corridors outside major cities where land for large stations is more available.

Food is the other big line item where Costco can shift the math. Warehouse clubs trade in bulk, and that model pairs well with the rhythm of road trips. A single stock up run can fill your pantry with shelf stable staples like oats, rice, beans, pasta, canned tomatoes, nuts and dried fruit at per unit costs that are often significantly below supermarket prices.

For van life travelers who cook the majority of their meals, lowering the average cost per serving makes a tangible difference over months. Even refrigerated items like cheese, eggs, yogurt and fresh produce can be cost effective if you have a decent sized fridge and plan your meals carefully.

There is also the food court, which has become a minor cultural institution in its own right. The menu is limited but anchored by extremely cheap items such as the famous hot dog and soda combo and budget friendly pizza slices. For travelers, this is less about culinary excitement and more about predictability.

No matter where you are in the country, you know you can walk into a Costco and get a filling hot meal for just a few dollars, which beats fast food prices in many markets and can rescue your budget on long driving days when cooking feels like a chore.

Stocking Up, Storage Limits and the Realities of Tiny Living

On paper, buying in bulk is the perfect match for warehouse clubs. In a 140 square foot van or compact RV, the equation becomes more complicated. Space is at a premium and every oversized package has to earn its keep.

This is where a realistic appraisal of your rig and travel style matters more than the siren call of low per unit costs. If you do not actually have space for a 25 pound bag of rice or a dozen roll pack of paper towels, those theoretical savings can translate into clutter and frustration.

Experienced road travelers often find a middle path. They use Costco to stock up on high value items that compress well, store easily and have long shelf lives. Think vacuum sealed coffee, large bags of frozen vegetables for rigs with freezers, collapsible bulk containers of olive oil, or multi packs of batteries and propane cylinders.

They skip the truly massive packages of low margin goods that local grocery stores can supply at acceptable prices in smaller quantities. The goal is not to recreate a suburban pantry in miniature, but to leverage Costco for the items that make the most difference on a per use or per meal basis.

Another factor is spoilage. On the road, you may not have the luxury of a full sized refrigerator or stable climate control. Buying huge clamshells of delicate produce or oversized containers of dairy can backfire if you do not consume them quickly.

The grocery sections in Costco locations are designed for families with lots of storage and predictable routines. Van life disrupts those assumptions. It is wise to build a few sample trips into your first months of membership, track what you actually consume without waste, and refine your shopping list around that real data.

Sharing can also solve part of the storage problem. Many van life travelers move through informal caravans or meetups where several rigs gather for a few days. A single Costco run with two or three households chipping in allows you to split bulk items into smaller portions, each taking only what they can reasonably store.

This kind of cooperative shopping is especially useful for perishables and large format bakery items that are hard for one or two people to finish more than once in a while.

Nonfood Perks That Matter to Van Lifers

While fuel and groceries grab the headlines, a Costco membership also unlocks a range of nonfood and service perks that can disproportionately benefit travelers. One significant example is the tire and automotive department.

Many warehouses have a tire center that sells and installs major brands at competitive prices, and they often run periodic promotions with prepaid card rebates. If you live on the road, you are putting thousands of miles on your tires each year, and having a national chain where you can get rotations, flat repairs and replacements at predictable prices can make trip planning less stressful.

Pharmacies are another quiet but crucial benefit. Costco pharmacies can be used by non members for prescription drugs in many states, but having a membership simplifies the process and expands your access to over the counter medicines, vision care and in some locations, hearing services.

For travelers managing chronic conditions, being able to refill prescriptions at multiple points along a cross country route is a practical advantage. It helps avoid last minute scrambles in unfamiliar towns where you may not be sure which chains will honor your insurance or offer fair cash prices.

There are also travel specific services that may appeal to road trippers who occasionally park the van and opt for other modes. Costco Travel, the company’s dedicated travel arm, negotiates packages on rental cars, hotels, resort vacations and cruises.

While this is more relevant to traditional vacationers, full time van life travelers sometimes fly home for holidays or plan side trips abroad. Having access to member only rental car rates or bundled hotel deals can save money when you temporarily step away from your rolling home.

Beyond services, many van dwellers appreciate Costco’s seasonal merchandise cycles. In spring and summer, warehouses often stock camping gear, portable power stations, folding tables and outdoor furniture at attractive prices. In fall and winter, the emphasis shifts to warm clothing layers, thermal socks, blankets and small space heaters.

The quality of these items is generally solid for the price, and for someone outfitting a van or small RV, it can be a cost effective way to acquire durable equipment without visiting specialty outdoor stores.

Location Coverage, Access and the Logistics of Using Costco on the Road

Even the best membership perks are useless if you rarely find yourself anywhere near a store. Fortunately for road trippers, Costco’s warehouse footprint aligns closely with heavily traveled corridors. The majority of United States locations sit near interstate highways, major beltways and suburban commercial hubs.

If you are crossing the country on routes such as I 5, I 10, I 40, I 70 or I 95, you will typically pass within reasonable detour distance of multiple warehouses on each leg of your journey. For van lifers who default to national parks and public lands, the nearest Costco may be in the gateway city you use for resupply.

One subtle logistical benefit is consistency. Costco warehouses are designed with similar layouts, signage and parking patterns. Over time, regular members learn where to find key sections such as fresh produce, bulk dry goods, personal care items and the tire center no matter what city they are in.

When you live on the road, familiarity saves time and mental energy. You can plan a 45 minute resupply run with confidence instead of wandering through an unfamiliar supermarket trying to decipher the aisle logic while your parking clock ticks down.

Parking itself is usually straightforward for vans and smaller Class B RVs, although it can be trickier for large rigs or vehicles towing trailers. Most Costco lots have generous spaces and lanes, but they are not designed as overnight rest areas. Travelers sometimes park off to the edge of the lot to occupy two spaces lengthwise, but it is wise to be considerate and avoid peak hours.

Some locations strictly prohibit overnight parking while others quietly tolerate it when permitted by local ordinances. Because policies and enforcement vary, it is safer to treat Costco as a daytime resupply stop rather than a default camping spot.

Another consideration is payment. Costco in the United States primarily accepts Visa credit cards, debit cards, cash, and certain mobile payment options in stores and at fuel pumps.

If you rely heavily on a non Visa rewards credit card, you will need to adjust your strategy, possibly using a debit card at Costco and reserving other cards for non Costco expenses. For budget conscious van lifers who track every dollar, aligning your payment methods before a big trip avoids surprises at the pump or checkout line.

When an Executive Membership Makes Sense for Travelers

Stepping up from a Gold Star to an Executive membership doubles your annual fee, so the natural question is whether the incremental benefits justify the added cost. The math hinges primarily on that 2 percent reward.

To earn back the 65 dollar upgrade cost through rewards alone, you would need to spend roughly 3,250 dollars per year on qualifying Costco purchases, or about 270 dollars per month. To recoup the entire 130 dollar annual fee, your yearly spend would need to be closer to 6,500 dollars.

For a full time van life couple who uses Costco for nearly all groceries, fuel, household supplies, personal care items and occasional big ticket purchases like tires or electronics, that threshold is not unrealistic.

Significant expenses such as a new set of all terrain tires, a portable fridge, a solar generator or a laptop can quickly move the annual spend needle. In those scenarios, the extra rewards plus occasional Executive only discounts on services like Costco Travel can tip the scales in favor of the upgrade.

However, many part time road trippers and weekend warriors will not hit those numbers. If you mainly use Costco for a big pre trip shop and a handful of fuel stops during summer and holiday getaways, the standard membership nearly always makes more sense.

You enjoy the same low fuel prices, pantry friendly bulk items and store access without committing to a spending level that turns the Executive tier into a value play.

It is also worth remembering that Costco offers a satisfaction guarantee on memberships. If you upgrade to Executive and find that your rewards do not approach the cost of the upgrade, you can generally downgrade and request a refund or partial adjustment.

For travelers planning a big year of driving, one pragmatic approach is to try Executive during the high mileage year when your Costco usage will be highest, then reassess after tallying rewards and actual savings.

Hidden Tradeoffs, Pitfalls and Who Should Skip Costco

For all its advantages, a Costco membership is not a universal win for every traveler. The most obvious pitfall is overspending. The combination of bulk sizes and psychologically appealing prices can nudge you into buying more than you need or items you did not plan to purchase.

In the close confines of a van or small RV, impulse buying leads directly to clutter. If you are prone to stocking up simply because something is on sale, you may find that the membership encourages consumption patterns that clash with the minimalist ethos many road travelers aspire to.

There is also the issue of time. Costco runs generally take longer than quick stops at small supermarkets or gas station markets, especially if you visit during peak hours.

Parking in crowded lots, maneuvering a large cart through busy aisles and standing in line at checkout can absorb valuable daylight that you might rather spend exploring a new trail or campsite. For some travelers, the intangible cost of that time outweighs the concrete savings on groceries and fuel.

Diet and lifestyle preferences matter as well. While Costco has expanded its selection of organic, plant based and specialty diet items, the product mix is still centered on mainstream American tastes.

If you lean heavily toward farmers markets, specialty natural food stores or a highly specific diet, you may find that only a subset of Costco’s offerings fit your needs. In that case, a membership used solely for fuel and occasional staples might still make sense, but the grocery angle becomes less compelling.

Finally, consider your route and destination patterns. Travelers who prioritize remote backcountry routes, extended stays in small towns far from major highways or long stretches in countries without Costco coverage will naturally get less value from a membership.

In those scenarios, local cooperatives, regional chains and discount grocers might better align with your lifestyle, and the annual fee for a warehouse membership could be redirected toward other travel tools such as campground passes or navigation apps.

The Takeaway

For road trippers and van life travelers in 2026, a Costco membership can be a powerful tool for stretching your budget and simplifying logistics, but its value is highly dependent on how you travel.

Regular highway driving, frequent resupply in suburban corridors and a willingness to cook primarily from bulk ingredients all tilt the calculus strongly in Costco’s favor. Under those conditions, savings on fuel and food alone can easily exceed the annual fee, and peripheral perks like tire service, seasonal gear and low cost hot meals become welcome bonuses.

At the same time, the constraints of tiny living, the risk of overspending and the variability of store access along certain routes mean that a membership is not an automatic must have. Travelers who move slowly, favor very remote regions or prefer hyper local food systems may find that their actual usage does not justify the cost, especially at the higher Executive tier.

Doing a candid annual budget, estimating realistic fuel and grocery spend at Costco locations you will actually visit, and weighing that against the fee will usually reveal the answer.

If you are planning a major cross country trip or transitioning into full time van life, starting with a standard Gold Star membership is often the most prudent move. Use it heavily for a year, track your savings and experience, and then decide whether to upgrade, renew at the base level or walk away.

Costco’s broad network, consistent experience and traveler friendly services make it one of the more attractive memberships for life on the road, but like any tool, it delivers the most when it matches the contours of your actual journey.

FAQ

Q1: Will a Costco membership really save me money on a long road trip.
For many travelers, yes, especially if you buy most of your fuel and a good portion of your groceries at Costco locations along your route. Consistently lower gas prices and bulk food savings can quickly outweigh the annual fee, but the exact benefit depends on how many miles you drive and how often you shop there.

Q2: Is the Executive membership worth it for van life.
It can be worth it if you expect to spend at least a few thousand dollars a year at Costco on fuel, groceries, gear and services. The 2 percent reward and extra travel related perks help offset the higher fee. If your spend is modest or you only use Costco occasionally, the standard Gold Star membership is usually the better choice.

Q3: Can I use Costco gas stations without a membership.
In most United States locations, you need an active Costco membership card to purchase fuel at their stations. There are a few limited exceptions in certain jurisdictions, but in general you should assume that a membership is required if you plan to rely on Costco for fuel during your trip.

Q4: How van friendly are Costco parking lots.
Most Costco parking lots are easy to navigate in a standard van or small RV, with wide lanes and large spaces. Longer rigs and trailers may need to park farther out or across multiple spaces. Overnight parking policies vary by location and local law, so it is safest to treat Costco as a daytime stop rather than a guaranteed place to sleep.

Q5: Do I need a lot of storage space in my van to make Costco worthwhile.
You do not need massive storage, but some space for bulk dry goods and a reasonably sized fridge or cooler will help you capitalize on Costco prices. Many van lifers focus on compact, long lasting items and avoid oversized perishables that are hard to store or finish before they spoil.

Q6: What if I mostly cook fresh, local food instead of buying in bulk.
If your style leans toward farmers markets and small groceries, a Costco membership may still help with fuel, basic staples and occasional big ticket purchases like tires or electronics. However, the grocery savings component will be less significant, so you should carefully weigh whether those limited uses justify the annual fee.

Q7: Can I share a Costco membership with a travel partner.
Each membership includes a free household card for another adult at the same address, which works well for couples or close travel partners who share a mailing address. You cannot formally split a single membership between unrelated people with different addresses, although small travel groups can still shop together as guests when accompanied by the member.

Q8: How does Costco compare to other warehouse clubs for travelers.
Compared with other warehouse chains, Costco often has a denser network in certain regions, a strong reputation for product quality and highly competitive fuel prices. That said, the best choice depends on which club has better coverage along your typical routes and which one offers the mix of services you value most, such as tire centers, pharmacies or specific gear brands.

Q9: Is it easy to cancel if I decide the membership is not for me.
Costco has a generous membership guarantee, and you can usually cancel at any time and request a refund if you are not satisfied. This policy makes it relatively low risk to try a membership for a year, especially if you are embarking on a major trip and want to test how often you actually use the benefits.

Q10: Should I sign up before my trip or wait until I am on the road.
Signing up before your trip lets you use your home warehouse to do an initial stock up and get familiar with store layouts and offerings. However, you can also join at any Costco along your route if you prefer to delay the start of your membership year. The right timing depends on when your heaviest travel period will fall and when you want your renewal date to come around.