Written by David Matrick, editor of CheapGasToronto.ca. Price figures come from the station reports published on this site; tax and policy facts link to their official sources. See our About page for editorial standards and our disclaimer for price accuracy notes.
Costco, Canadian Tire and major branded stations can show different prices on the same day. The useful comparison is the current price at a station you can use, including any membership cost or travel required. A brand name alone does not establish the cheapest choice.
Compare the total cost
For a 50-litre purchase, a 4¢/L gap is $2 and an 8¢/L gap is $4. These are examples, not a promise of the discount at a particular brand. Subtract the fuel cost of an extra trip and consider how much time it adds.
Using a Costco gas bar
Check that the specific warehouse has a gas station before travelling. A warehouse address is not proof of a fuel service. Use Costco’s warehouse locator to confirm the gas station and its hours.
Costco Canada lists Mastercard, debit cards and physical Costco Shop Cards as gas-station payment methods. Cash and digital Shop Cards are excluded. Check Costco’s Canadian payment guidance and its membership requirements before visiting.
If you would buy a membership only for fuel, divide the annual fee by your realistic saving per litre to estimate the volume needed to cover the fee. Use the current membership price and observed local price gaps; do not assume a membership pays for itself within a fixed number of months.
Canadian Tire and other reward programs
Include a reward only if you can use it and your purchase qualifies under the current terms. Store credit, fuel discounts and credit-card cash back are different benefits. Check exclusions and redemption requirements with the provider. A points promotion does not necessarily offset a higher posted price.
Compare the same grade
Regular, premium and diesel can have different price gaps between brands. Select the fuel required by your vehicle and compare reports for that grade. A recent regular report does not make an old premium report current.
Use the current ranking
Open today’s cheapest stations or nearby gas prices before choosing. Check observation times and confirm the pump display. We do not measure live queues, so the site cannot promise a short wait at a particular station or time.
Related: 5 Smart Ways to Save on Gas in Toronto · Best Times to Fill Up in Toronto · Understanding Gas Taxes in Ontario