Looking for free air for tires? Your local gas station can be a good place to start. You go there anyway to fuel up, so why not air up your tires while you’re there?
I mean, if you can get free gas for your car, you should be able to get free air.
Speaking of gas, keeping your car’s tires properly inflated is so important. Did you know that tires that are under-inflated can cause your vehicle to be less fuel efficient?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by around 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires.
By keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure, the department says you can improve your gas mileage by an average of 0.6%, which is an equivalent of $0.02/gallon in gasoline savings, or up to 3% in some cases.
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Underinflated tires can also increase wear on the tire, which decreases the tire’s lifespan, and, in some cases, it can lead to a damaged wheel.
Keeping your tires properly inflated makes them last longer, which means you spend less on new ones, and you get better mileage, so you save money on gas too. And, we’re all looking to save money where we can, right?
So, where exactly can you air up your tires and is there anywhere you can do it for free?
Below, I’ll cover 50 ways you can get free air for your tires, including gas stations with air pumps, tire shops that offer air, and other ways to keep your tires inflated for free!
Table of Contents
Which gas stations offer free air?
Short answer: Many gas stations including Chevron, GetGo, Casey’s General Stores, QuikTrip, Royal Farms, Shell, Sheetz, Wawa, and Texaco offer free air pumps at some or all of their locations. There are also other places to get free air for tires, like local car washes and car dealerships.
For more details on gas stations that offer free air and other ways to get air for free, make sure you read on!
Gas Stations with Free Air Pumps Near Me
While decades back, almost all gas stations offered free air, many nowadays only provide air pumps that you have to pay for. Paid air pumps can cost you anywhere from $1 to $2 per fill. If you’re looking to save money, then that’s not ideal.
Airing up your tires for free can save you money and ensures that your car stays fuel-efficient and the tires last longer – again saving you money!
While many gas stations do charge customers for air, there are still many out there that offer free air. We’ve listed these gas stations below.
1. 76
76 is a popular gas station chain.
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- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
2. 7-Eleven
There are more than 9,500 7-Eleven stores throughout the United States. It offers a number of services, like money orders and check cashing at many locations too.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
3. BJ’s Wholesale Club
BJ’s Wholesale Club has 229 locations. The company has 150 gas stations.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
4. BP
There are more than 7,200 BP and ARCO-branded sites in the United States. So, it’s likely that you have a gas station near you. BP stations are open 24-hours, which is good! The store sells newspaper as well so you if you want one of those, you can pick one up while you’re there.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
5. Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores has more than 2,300 locations in 16 states. You can get free air at all locations.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
6. Chevron
The company’s products are sold at more than 8,000 Chevron and Texaco retail stations in the United States. Some locations are franchised, and others are owned by the company.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
7. Citgo
Citgo has more than 4,600 locations throughout the United States. You can get free air at some of its locations.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
8. Conoco
There are 1,700 Conoco locations in the United States. If you live in Colorado, it’s likely you have a station near you. There are 382 locations in Colorado, which is 22% of all Conoco locations in America. Conoco offers free air at some of its locations. You can also buy kerosene and cash checks at some locations.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
9. ExxonMobil
There are more than 12,000 ExxonMobil locations in the United States. Some locations offer free air. And, you can also buy ice and cash checks at some ExxonMobil locations. Many ExxonMobil locations are open 24-hours too.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
10. GetGo
GetGo has 271 locations in 5 states, including Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Pennsylvania is the state with most locations, with 107 GetGo locations.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
11. Gulf Oil
Some Gulf Oil stations offer free air, and some locations are open 24-hours.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
12. Holiday Oil
Holiday Oil has more than 60 locations in Utah.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
13. Holiday Stationstores
Holiday Stationstores has more than 600 locations in Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
14. Hy-Vee Gas Stations
Hy-Vee operates more than 240 retail stores in the Midwest. This includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Many Hy-Vee Gas Stations have air pumps, and some Hy-Vee locations even cash checks.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
15. Kroger
Kroger has more than 2,800 stores in 35 states.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
16. Kum & Go
Kum & Go has nearly 400 locations. You can find Kum & Go stores across 11 states, including Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
17. Kwip Trip/Kwik Star
Kwik Trip has more than 800 locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Locations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota are under the name Kwik Trip, and in Iowa and Illinois stores are under the name Kwik Star. You can get free air at some locations and buy ice there too.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
18. Marathon
Marathon has 6,900 independently owned retail outlets
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
19. MotoMart
MotoMart has locations throughout the Midwest. You’ll find locations in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
20. On the Run
On the Run has many locations in states including Louisiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, New Jersey, and Maine. Some of its locations are open 24 hours too!
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
21. Phillips 66
You can get free air at some Phillips 66 locations. You can also cash a check at some locations as well.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
22. Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J has about 750 travel centers across more than 40 states. You can get free air at some locations. It also offers a 24/7 check cashing service.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
23. QuickChek
QuickChek has 153 stores in New Jersey and New York. You can get free air at all locations. There’s also free Wi-Fi and no surcharge ATMs available at all of the company’s locations. And, nearly every store is a fuel site with free air and free vacuums. QuikChek stores are open 24-hours, 7 days a week!
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
24. QuikTrip
QuickTrip has 919 locations in the United States, with stores in:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
You can get free air at all QuikTrip locations.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
25. RaceTrac
RaceTrac has more than 550 convenience store locations across seven southern states, including:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Texas
You can get free air at some RaceTrac locations.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
26. Royal Farms
Royal Farms has 247 stores in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
27. Sheetz
Sheetz has more than 600 locations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina. You can get free air at all Sheetz locations.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
28. Shell
Shell offers free air at some of its locations. There are around 25,000 Shell gas stations throughout the country. So, it’s likely that you have a gas station near you that’s offering free air pumps. Many Shell locations also offer check cashing services.
Because many stations are independently owned, it’s a good idea to contact your local station to check what products and services it provides.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
29. Sinclair
There are 2,607 Sinclair filling stations in 20 states in the Western and Midwestern United States. You can get free air for your tires at some locations. Also, some locations provide other services, such as check cashing.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
30. Speedway
Speedway has around 3,900 gas stations and convenience stores nationwide. You can get free air for your tires at some Speedway locations. And, some stores also sell kerosene at the pump.
Most Speedway locations are open 24-hours as well, so you can get air for your tires when you need it.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
31. Stewart’s Shops
Stewart’s Shops is a family owned and operated chain of convenience stores and gas stations. Its shops are located in New York and Vermont. At Stewart’s Shops, you can get free air for your tires. There’s only one shop that doesn’t provide free air. All the rest do.
- Availability: All but one location
- Store locator
32. Sunoco
Sunoco has more than 5,000 locations in more than 30 states. You can get free air for your tires at some Sunoco locations. You can also find a variety of other products and services on offer at Sunoco stores.
For example, it sells kerosene at many of its locations and some stores cash checks too. Because the stores are independently owned, it’s a good idea to call your local store to find out which products and services are provided at that specific location.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
33. Texaco
There are around 1,300 Texaco stations nationwide, and you can get free air for your tires at some locations. Some stations also sell kerosene.
- Availability: Some locations
- Store locator
34. Wawa
Wawa is a chain of more than 850 convenience retail stores, with over 600 offering gasoline. Wawa has stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
All of the company’s locations offer free air for your tires. And, you can also get access to lots of other products and services from the company, such as surcharge-free ATMs, and a large fresh food service selection that includes things like freshly brewed coffee, built-to-order hoagies, and hot breakfast sandwiches.
- Availability: All locations
- Store locator
35. Find more gas stations with free air at FreeAirPump.com
If you are looking for gas stations near you with free air, then visit FreeAirPump.com.
FreeAirPump.com has a map of locations that offer free air for tires.
On the site, you can either share your current location, or enter the address, city and state, or zip code to find free air near you. You’ll get a map of places near you that provide free air. This is such as simple way to find local places where you can get your tires inflated for free!
Tire Shops with Free Air Near Me
Gas stations are a good place to go if you’re looking for free air for your tires. But, they’re not your only option. Another good option is tire shops. Many tire shops provide free air.
Some shops will require you to have bought your tires from there in order to give you free air. But, others will provide free air pressure checks regardless of whether you bought your tires from there.
Here are some tire shops that check your tire’s air pressure and offer free air:
36. Atlantic Tire
Atlantic Tire is a regional tire shop that has five locations in North Carolina. You can bring in your car and Atlantic Tire will check your tire’s air pressure for free. And, you don’t need an appointment either!
37. Discount Tire
Discount Tire, while being one of the best places to buy tires, is also a good place to go for free air. There are 1,092 stores in 36 states, so you may have a store near you.
At Discount Tire, you can get free air for your tires, regardless of whether you have bought your tires there.
Visit your local store, and they will check the air in your tires for free and top it off. They perform this service without you even getting out of the car. Like I said before, you don’t even need to be a customer to get free air for your tires at Discount Tire.
38. Just Tires
Just Tires will check your tire air pressure for free. And, it will also inspect your tires for any signs of damage before returning them to the proper PSI.
39. National Tire & Battery (NTB)
NTB has more than 600 locations in 26 states. You can take your car into your nearest NTB and have the tire air pressure checked for free.
40. Pep Boys
Another place to go for a free tire air pressure check is Pep Boys. Pep Boys has more than 1,000 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, and 9,000 service bays.
Other Ways to Inflate Your Tires
If you are wondering, “Where can I get free air for tires near me?”, then heading to your local gas station or tire shop is a great option. But, gas stations and tire shops are certainly not your only options. There are a few other ways you can get free air for your tires.
Here are some tips and tricks you can try for free air near you.
41. Use a portable air compressor
I would recommend buying a portable air compressor. My husband uses one for his car and it has saved us the time and effort of having to head out to the gas station every time our tires get a little low.
Having your own tire inflator is so useful, and many of them come with a screen that shows you the current tire pressure. You can pick up an air compressor for tires on Amazon for around $30. Here are two to get you started:
- AstroAI Air Compressor Tire Inflator Portable Air Pump for Car Tires with Digital Pressure Gauge
- Watifisa Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor with Digital Pressure Gauge
Sure, it’s an upfront cost, but after that, you save yourself a lot of time and hassle.
42. See if there’s one in the trunk of your car
Some new vehicles don’t come with a spare tire. So, instead, you often get an air compressor for free from the manufacturer.
If your car didn’t come with a spare tire in the trunk, then there could be a portable air compressor in there.
43. Just ask if you live in California or Connecticut
Gas stations in California and Connecticut are required by law to offer free air for tires. This means that if you live in one of those states, you can get free air just by asking!
In California, you do usually need to be a paying customer to get the free air. So, make sure you fill up the tank too. Also, some compressors may require payment unless you ask the cashier to turn the compressor on for you. All you need to do is ask and the cashier is required by law to manually turn the compressor on.
44. Visit the shop that installed your tires
Sometimes you can get free air from the tire shop that installed your tires. Just visit the shop where your tires were installed and ask if they offer free air.
45. Get your car’s oil changed
If you are getting your car’s oil changed at the shop, then, while you are there, ask whether it will offer free air. Many shops that offer oil changes do provide free air for tires, and all you have to do is ask.
46. Visit the RV Lanes
Some gas stations, especially near the highway, have designated fueling lanes for RVs and campers. Some of these lanes may have a standalone pump that offers free air.
While these are designed for RVs, campers, large trucks, and 18-wheelers, these lanes may also be used by people who have a sedan or SUV. So, you may be able to use the RV lanes to get free air for your tires.
47. Borrow a free air compressor from a friend
Check to see if any of your friends own a portable air compressor. This can be a simple way to fill your tires for free. It is better to purchase your own tire inflator because you can use it anytime you want, but, in the meantime, borrowing one from a friend can be a good option.
48. Check with your local car wash
Many local car washes will offer free air pumps for tires. This includes both hand wash and automatic car wash locations. So, next time you go to get your car washed, make sure you check to see if the place offers free air.
49. Check with your car dealership
As a way to build customer loyalty, many car dealerships offer freebies to car buyers. This includes things like free car washes, check and refill fluids for free, and free air for car tires.
Most luxury car dealerships, such as Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Audi, and Porsche will air up tires for customers in the service bay. And, they’ll do this for buyers of new or used cars.
Many newly purchased cars, both new and used, will come with some period of free maintenance. And, this can include car and truck roadside assistance, and a place to put air in tires nearby.
50. Use a bike pump instead!
Another way to get free air is to use a bike pump to inflate your tires.
I’ll level with you here. This option isn’t really that convenient. It can take dozens, or sometimes even hundreds of pumps to move the needle on the pressure gauge a few PSI if you are using a manual pump. But, it can be a good option if you’re in a real jam.
If you have an electric bike pump that plugs into 12v power and cigarette lighter, then this option can work out better and will fill the tires in 1 to 3 minutes depending on how underinflated the tires are.
Free Gas Station Air Hacks & Tricks
While researching for this post, I came across questions like, “how to get free air at gas stations hack?“.
The thing is, while there may be ways to hack into these machines and their computer systems, it’s just not right. I mean, there are so many easy ways to put air in your tires for free that trying hacks and tricks just isn’t worth the trouble.
Final Thoughts
As you can see there are a lot of places where you can get free air for tires near you.
It’s good to know that many well-known gas stations provide free air, such as Casey’s General Stores, Royal Farms, and Wawa. Some gas stations provide air at all locations and others only offer air at some of their locations.
There are many tire shops that will provide free air pressure checks and refill your tires. Other places where you can get free air include your local car wash, the shop that installed your tires, and your car dealership. There are also DIY options, such as buying your own air compressor, borrowing an air compressor from a friend, or using a bike pump instead. Overall, there are lots of ways to get free air for your tires.
Walmarts with an auto center will let you use their air hose to pump up a tire, just as long as that department is open.