March 11, 2025
The countries around the world with the best service stations
On a long journey, you’ll need to stop now and again to refuel or recharge your car, so you’ll almost certainly find yourself stopping at a gas station or service station. But almost everyone has found themselves pleasantly surprised before by the range of local snacks and treats on offer in the shop, or even a sit-down cafe or restaurant where you can rest for a while before getting back on the road. At DiscoverCars.com, we have used our customer data to find out which countries have the best service stations and gas stations.
Methodology
Our team questioned over 4,000 of our customers, asking them to review their experience of using gas stations and service stations in the countries they traveled to.
We asked our customers to score each country from 1 to 10 based on their experience of stopping at gas stations.
Only countries with 50 or more ratings were included in our overall top ten research, and only the ratings from foreign tourist drivers were considered. The US was measured differently, with all states with more than 3 visitors, either domestic or international, included.
We asked our customers to score each country from 1 to 10 based on their experience of stopping at gas stations.
Only countries with 50 or more ratings were included in our overall top ten research, and only the ratings from foreign tourist drivers were considered. The US was measured differently, with all states with more than 3 visitors, either domestic or international, included.
The results
Free to use when crediting DiscoverCars.com using a do-follow hyperlink.
Cyprus
Cyprus ranked in first place, with a score of 9.26. One tourist driver visiting Larnaca from the UK said, “All stations provide excellent service and very helpful staffing”. The most popular gas station brands in Cyprus included Cypriot brand Eko and Shell.
However, one driver passed on a piece of advice they wished they had known for their trip to Larnaca: “Just take note that if you use the gas station closest to the airport there are no physical staff during the earlier hours (I arrived at 8am). The pumps are automated, but you pay the amount first so have to guess how much is required to fill the tank.”
However, one driver passed on a piece of advice they wished they had known for their trip to Larnaca: “Just take note that if you use the gas station closest to the airport there are no physical staff during the earlier hours (I arrived at 8am). The pumps are automated, but you pay the amount first so have to guess how much is required to fill the tank.”
Turkey
Turkey landed in second place, scoring 9.25 - only just behind Cyprus. Popular gas station brands among tourist drivers included Opet and Shell. Opet is a Turkish brand that owns more than 1500 gas stations in the country.
Feeling a bit tired on a long drive? Drivers can pick up a fresh coffee at Opet’s Fullmarkets. These stores also sell snacks and sandwiches for drivers who need to grab a bite to eat on their journey and also often sell car accessories and maintenance equipment.
Feeling a bit tired on a long drive? Drivers can pick up a fresh coffee at Opet’s Fullmarkets. These stores also sell snacks and sandwiches for drivers who need to grab a bite to eat on their journey and also often sell car accessories and maintenance equipment.
Brazil
In third place, Brazil scored 9.04 according to tourist drivers. Visitors to Brazil mentioned stopping at Petrobras and Ipiranga, as well as Shell. Ipiranga and Petrobras are both Brazilian companies, and in fact Petrobras is majority state-owned.
Some branches of Petrobras have a BR Mania convenience store attached - these stores sell hot food, including pizzas and burgers, as well as Brazilian dishes like feijoada, a delicious traditional black bean stew.
Some branches of Petrobras have a BR Mania convenience store attached - these stores sell hot food, including pizzas and burgers, as well as Brazilian dishes like feijoada, a delicious traditional black bean stew.
Finland
Like Brazil, Finland also scored 9.04, landing the Finns in joint third place. A tourist driver said in their review that all the gas stations they visited in Finland were “easy to use”.
Tourists mentioned using Shell to top up their gas, as well as stopping at ABC, a Finnish brand of service stations where you can also use the car wash or grab something to eat from the buffet. The buffet menu changes every day but always includes two hot options and one vegetarian option, with free meals for children under 3.
Tourists mentioned using Shell to top up their gas, as well as stopping at ABC, a Finnish brand of service stations where you can also use the car wash or grab something to eat from the buffet. The buffet menu changes every day but always includes two hot options and one vegetarian option, with free meals for children under 3.
Portugal
Portugal was next with a score of 8.92. The most popular brands in tourists’ reviews included Portuguese brand Galp and Spanish multinational brand Repsol, as well as global brands like Shell.
There are 900 Galp service stations around Portugal, which often offer carwash services. Some branches have a store and cafe, too, offering hungry drivers sandwiches, soups and salads.
Galp was also the first service station brand to introduce a totally autonomous convenience store in partnership with the brand Sensei — at one high-tech gas station in Lisbon, shoppers can pick up non-perishable snacks and pay automatically using their credit card details when they leave.
There are 900 Galp service stations around Portugal, which often offer carwash services. Some branches have a store and cafe, too, offering hungry drivers sandwiches, soups and salads.
Galp was also the first service station brand to introduce a totally autonomous convenience store in partnership with the brand Sensei — at one high-tech gas station in Lisbon, shoppers can pick up non-perishable snacks and pay automatically using their credit card details when they leave.
Spain
Spain, in fifth place, achieved a score of 8.82. Tourists highlighted visiting Respol and BP brand gas stations in particular.
Repsol is one of Spain’s largest gas and oil groups, so there are a lot of gas stations under this brand name in the country. Some branches of Repsol have a cafe attached where you can grab a bite to eat, and more than 700 also allow you to drop off Amazon parcels to be returned when you refuel. The company also has 550 branches in Spain that supply 100% renewable fuel, and many stations also offer EV charging points.
Repsol is one of Spain’s largest gas and oil groups, so there are a lot of gas stations under this brand name in the country. Some branches of Repsol have a cafe attached where you can grab a bite to eat, and more than 700 also allow you to drop off Amazon parcels to be returned when you refuel. The company also has 550 branches in Spain that supply 100% renewable fuel, and many stations also offer EV charging points.
The rest of the top ten
The United Arab Emirates was next, scoring 8.76. In seventh place, Australia scored 8.73, followed by Mauritius, which scored 8.63.
In joint ninth place, Morocco and New Zealand both scored 8.62. Rounding off the top ten, Italy scored 8.36.
In joint ninth place, Morocco and New Zealand both scored 8.62. Rounding off the top ten, Italy scored 8.36.
The US states with the best gas stations
We also wanted to find out which US states had the best gas stations. To do this, we included reviews from both domestic and international travelers.
The US state with the highest rating was Hawaii, at 9 overall.
Florida was second, with 8.84.
Arizona was next, scoring 8.79.
In fourth place in our ranking of US states, travelers gave Nevada 8.67 points.
Finally in the top five states, California achieved a score of 8.41.
The US state with the highest rating was Hawaii, at 9 overall.
Florida was second, with 8.84.
Arizona was next, scoring 8.79.
In fourth place in our ranking of US states, travelers gave Nevada 8.67 points.
Finally in the top five states, California achieved a score of 8.41.
Conclusion
Gas stations and service stations vary around the world, with one of the biggest differences being the experience that is offered to drivers who stop. Some, like Finland’s ABC, have a sit-down restaurant as well, while others are more basic - a place to stop and fill up your tank and maybe pick up a snack or a drink at the shop.
Wherever they traveled, drivers commented on looking for the cheapest gas station - a clear priority for all tourist drivers, especially those who might be traveling further by car and will therefore be spending more on fuel on their trip.
Something that tourists really seemed to appreciate was when gas station staff were helpful, with travelers commenting on the friendly assistance they received. Also, while many of the brands they used were local to the country they were visiting, you can see that big name brands like Shell and BP show up again and again in the results, maybe because they have so many branches all over the world.
If you are planning on taking a trip by rental car, whether in your country or abroad, please consider booking with us. We operate in more than 145 countries around the world and can help you find the perfect car for your trip!
Wherever they traveled, drivers commented on looking for the cheapest gas station - a clear priority for all tourist drivers, especially those who might be traveling further by car and will therefore be spending more on fuel on their trip.
Something that tourists really seemed to appreciate was when gas station staff were helpful, with travelers commenting on the friendly assistance they received. Also, while many of the brands they used were local to the country they were visiting, you can see that big name brands like Shell and BP show up again and again in the results, maybe because they have so many branches all over the world.
If you are planning on taking a trip by rental car, whether in your country or abroad, please consider booking with us. We operate in more than 145 countries around the world and can help you find the perfect car for your trip!
Top Related Locations
Here are some cities in the countries listed and their closest airports with top-rated gas stations.
- Paphos, Cyprus (Paphos International Airport): Easy fueling before exploring ancient sites and stunning beaches.
- Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport): Convenient gas stations make road trips between Istanbul and Cappadocia smooth.
- São Paulo, Brazil (São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport): Plenty of well-rated gas stations along Brazil’s famous road trip routes.
- Helsinki, Finland (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport): Reliable fuel stops make winter drives through Finland hassle-free.
- Lisbon, Portugal (Humberto Delgado Airport): Great fuel stations along scenic coastal routes and highways.
- Porto, Portugal (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport): Well-placed gas stations make driving through the Douro Valley seamless.
- Madrid, Spain (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport): Easy-to-find gas stations keep your Spanish road trip stress-free.
- Dubai, UAE (Dubai International Airport): Well-placed fuel stops make driving through the desert effortless.
- Sydney, Australia (Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport): Convenient gas stations help with long drives along Australia’s coast.
- Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne Airport): Plenty of fuel stops for road trips along the Great Ocean Road.
- Plaisance, Mauritius (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport): Small island, but plenty of well-rated fuel stops.
- Marrakesh, Morocco (Marrakesh Menara Airport): Reliable gas stations before heading into the Atlas Mountains.
- Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Airport): Smooth fueling options for your New Zealand road adventure.
- Rome, Italy (Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport): Well-placed gas stations make exploring Italy’s countryside easy.
- Miami, Florida (Miami International Airport): Plenty of fuel stations before heading to the Keys or Orlando.
- Orlando, Florida (Orlando International Airport): Plenty of gas stations for easy trips to theme parks or nearby beaches.
- Las Vegas, Nevada (Harry Reid International Airport): Convenient fueling before heading to the Grand Canyon or Death Valley.
- Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles International Airport): Plenty of fuel stops before hitting the Pacific Coast Highway or national parks.
- San Francisco, California (San Francisco International Airport): Convenient gas stations are available before heading to Napa Valley or down the Pacific Coast Highway.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
©DISCOVERCARS. All Rights Reserved.
