Hey, busy coffee lovers. When traveling, you often need a quick caffeine fix. Gas station coffee can sometimes be a lifesaver, right? And while Starbucks is great, the daily cost can really add up. Those $starbuck$ prices add up fast.
However, not all gas station coffee is created equal. You know that terrible coffee—burnt, lukewarm grounds that might even have coffee grounds in them. That coffee tastes like regret and bad things. Good coffee is the complete opposite—it feels hot, rich, and might even have a nutty flavor. Drinking that cup of coffee makes life instantly better.
Therefore, we investigated the origins of cheap gas station coffee. We visited many national and regional chains to determine which ones offer the best coffee. There were three key criteria: price, of course, was the first priority, followed by the availability of customizable drinks. Taste was the last factor, which is, of course, subjective. Judging an entire chain based on a single visit may not be entirely fair, but that’s how we approached it here.
1. **BP**: Our quest for BP coffee didn’t go smoothly, because the first BP gas station we found didn’t have any coffee at all. By the time we found it, it was already late, and you know, noon isn’t really a good time to drink fresh gas station coffee.
There was only one sad coffee pot left, and it really looked like “the last coffee.” The cloudiness was very noticeable, and you could tell the powdered creamer inside hadn’t dissolved properly. The taste was absolutely terrible. The small cup was priced at $1.59, which was still reasonable. They had a “bean counter” reward program where you get one free with seven purchases. Even the free coffee wasn’t good here. Due solely to the price factor, I can only give it half a coffee bean rating.
2. **Chevron**: Our experience at Chevron Coffee was identical to that at BP—we had to visit two gas stations before we could find coffee. The store layout was equally sparse, with only a solitary coffee pot quietly sitting on the counter.
Although large sugar containers were readily available, artificial sweeteners were not provided. Additionally, cream was only available in small cups. Worse still, the quality of the coffee cups was subpar. They used foam plastic cups, and the plastic lids did not match the cups.
The first sip felt lacking in richness, and we guessed they had only used half the coffee beans. The small cup of coffee cost $1.29 plus tax, totaling $1.63 plus some additional fees. Based on the price rating, it was only worth one coffee bean.
3. **Sunoco**: Before finding coffee, I visited three different gas stations. It seems that finding coffee here often requires a treasure hunt.
But this search finally paid off, and the coffee at Sunoco tasted surprisingly good. After several previous attempts, this felt like a small victory. It was indeed a decent cup of gas station coffee.
The taste rating received one and a half coffee beans. Compared to the previous two, there was a significant improvement. The price was $1.87, with all sizes the same. Sunoco has a fuel rewards program, and coffee may also be included. I believe this store earned a total of two and a half coffee beans.
4. **Exxon**: Upon arriving at Exxon, we encountered a minor issue. When we first arrived, the single coffee pot was empty, but an employee came to our assistance. He voluntarily offered to brew a fresh pot immediately, and his enthusiastic service made up for the unexpected situation.
This store also only had sugar available, no artificial sweeteners. However, this wasn’t a major issue, and the attention to detail in the freshly brewed coffee was truly thoughtful. The coffee was extremely hot, in fact the hottest cup tested that day. The flavor was typical of a New England coffee brand. Its heat and freshness significantly impacted the taste. It received a taste score of 1.5 coffee beans. The price was $1.49 for a medium cup. The friendly service and hot coffee combined for a total score of 3 coffee beans.
5. **7-Eleven**: This large convenience store chain impresses with its coffee offerings. Here, customers can customize their own drinks. The coffee comes from large coffee pots, including vanilla blueberry flavors, Brazilian coffee, and regular blends.
The real highlight is the toppings section. It offers a wide variety of ready-made creamers and sweeteners, including mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce. Flavored syrups add a touch of luxury to the coffee. The extensive selection makes the coffee here truly perfect.
However, the final taste is disappointing. The biggest drawback is the temperature of the coffee. Despite the wide selection, the coffee is only warm rather than hot. Coffee needs to be either hot or cold to taste good, and the lukewarm temperature significantly reduces the flavor of the coffee beans. Despite past positive coffee experiences, the overall rating remains at three coffee beans. This visit failed to realize its full potential. Prices are on the high side, with a small cup costing $2.29. The 7Rewards app occasionally allows redeeming points for free items.
6. **Circle K**: Circle K stores can be found in almost every state, and their coffee offerings have seen a significant upgrade. Their machines are equipped with glass hoppers that may contain real coffee beans. The key is that the machines can brew coffee on demand.
In addition to the standard decaffeinated hazelnut-flavored Colombian coffee, they also offer Machu Picchu single-origin coffee. Such a level of selection is impressive in a gas station environment. There are also four flavored syrups and freshly ground cream available.
I tried the salted caramel toffee cappuccino instead of the regular cappuccino. This coffee is described as “hot liquid candy.” Though not a standard coffee test, it satisfied my craving. It did the trick at the time. I rate the flavor at 1.5 coffee beans. The options overall receive a perfect 2 coffee beans. The price tag showed $1.89 for a small cup, but the receipt showed $2.09 for a medium cup, an extra 10 cents. They offer a monthly beverage subscription service, you know. The freshly brewed varieties received a 3.5-bean rating.
7. **Shell/Rally**: Shell is one of the largest gas station chains today, with convenience stores often located inside its gas stations. They offer high-quality coffee, and from the layout, it is clear that they place a strong emphasis on coffee, with ten steaming coffee pots on display.
There is a wide variety of coffee flavors to choose from. All creamers and artificial sweeteners are available, and the six pre-set sugar options can be selected with the push of a button. Flavors include English toffee and hazelnut vanilla latte. There is also freshly ground iced coffee available, which looks exciting. I believe the coffee bean selection here deserves a solid two-star rating.
The reviewer chose the Perks brand rich blend coffee. They noted that subtle flavors like toffee were not discernible, but the overall quality of the coffee was acceptable, though not top-tier. This location received a 1.5-star rating for flavor. Next, the prices are reasonably priced: $1.59 for 16 ounces, $1.69 for 20 ounces, and $1.79 for 24 ounces. Of course, there are also cheaper refill options. Shell Rally also offers a rewards program. Members of the Coffee Fountain Drink Club can enjoy a free ninth cup. The flavor received a half-star rating, totaling 4 stars.
8. **RaceTrac**: This chain is gradually rising to the ranks of top-tier chains. RaceTrac is a regional chain brand primarily located in the southeastern United States. RaceTrac is similar to Speedway in that both are equipped with high-quality coffee facilities.
RaceTrac’s 12th row of glass bean bins is impressive. The bins are filled with unground coffee beans, ready to be brewed into fresh coffee at any time. The bean varieties include regular Colombian, Guatemalan, hazelnut-flavored, and dark roast. Additionally, there are several decaffeinated coffee options available for brewing enthusiasts. Chilled cream is also available, along with half-fat French vanilla low-calorie cream and whole milk.
The cups here boldly feature the slogan “Crazy Good Coffee,” which is quite amusing. A small cup of coffee costs $1.79, similar to other gas stations. The RaceTrac Rewards Program allows you to earn points redeemable for free drinks. We give this location a rating of half a coffee bean, with an overall score of 4 coffee beans. It is nearly on par with Shell Rally, but may have a slight edge in overall value.
9. **Speedway**: Speedway is also a large regional chain brand with 4,000 stores in the East Central and Southwest regions. The coffee experience here is very similar to RaceTrac’s, and it is undoubtedly also very focused on personalized customization.
Speedway has introduced several pre-mixed sugary beverages, available through a convenient button-operated system. Reviewers were unsure about the exact number of flavors, which may include caramel macchiato, cinnamon roll cappuccino, and others. The wide variety of options nearly caters to the preferences of all demographics.
The taste is very rich, and it successfully earned a 1.5-star coffee bean rating. Speedway’s price advantage is clear, with 12 ounces of coffee costing just $1.19. This was the best price found during the all-day test. A medium cup costs $1.59, and a large cup costs $1.79, which is reasonable. Speedy Rewards also offers free snacks and drink points, and this combination of added value is quite appealing. Its overall rating is 4.5 coffee beans.
Well, while some gas station coffees offer a wide range of options, it must be said that sometimes the best drinks are still made at home. You know, finding the best coffee depends on your needs. It might be about affordability, or the rich flavor you crave.
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