Properly inflating your tires can save you 11 cents per gallon on fuel and extend the average life of a tire by 4,700 miles, says the U.S. Department of Transportation. But where can you get free air for your tires?
In this article, I’m going to show you some places where you can fill up your tires at no cost.
I’ve researched many of the large national tire, retail, grocery and convenience store chains to find those that offer a way to put air in your tires for free. (Some locations that have been franchised may not offer free air, so it’s best to check before you go.)
Where to Find Free Air for Tires Near You
Costco
Costco says it will inflate your tires for free with nitrogen, not compressed air. When I called, the technician in the Tire Center said all I had to do was “pull up next to the bay.”
And Costco doesn’t require you to have a membership to get this free service. Find a Costco warehouse near you.
Discount Tire
Discount Tire’s technicians will also inflate your tires for free no matter where you bought them. The chain has more than 1,000 stores in 35 states. Find a Discount Tire near you.
Getgo
GetGo, which is owned by supermarket chain Giant Eagle, has free air as well. Many of these locations are in the Northeast and Midwest and have automated tire check machines as well. Find a Getgo near you.
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee stores offer free air. It has stores in eight Midwestern states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Find a Hy-Vee near you.
Kroger
Some Kroger gas stations have free air, but that number is dwindling, a Fuel Center employee told me when I called.
Use this Kroger Store Locator and filter to find stores with gas stations on site.
Kum & Go
Kum & Go offers free air at its 400 stores in 11 states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. Find a Kum & Go location near you.
Kwik Trip
Kwik Trip has free air at all of its 600+ locations. in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Find the nearest Kwik Trip here.
QuickChek
QuickChek convenience stores offer free air at its 150 locations in New York and New Jersey. Find a QuickChek near you.
QuikTrip
In addition to free air, QuikTrip has a lot of things people love at its more than 800 locations in 11 states in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. Find a QuikTrip near you.
Sheetz
Sheetz stores have free air at its locations, which are in the following states: Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Find a local Sheetz near you.
Stewart’s Shop
Stewart’s Shop, which has more than 300 locations in New York and Vermont, offers free air and the chain markets that point. Find a Stewart’s Shop near you.
Wawa
Wawa offers free air at its 850+ locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Find a Wawa near you.
Final Thought
You should try to take advantage of free services whenever possible, especially when it involves your vehicle. But always call the business before you head out to make sure the air is free and the machine is functioning.
If you want to find smaller establishments that have free air near you, check out FreeAirPump.com and enter your ZIP code or enable your location.
Know of any other major chains offering free air for your tires? Let us know in the comments.
