Gas Express in Lakewood Voted CO's top independent gas station

From American River Wellness

• Poll of 3,016 drivers.
• Gas Cafe One Stop, Crested Butte emerged 2nd favorite + Coal Mine Gas Express, Littleton came in 3rd.
• Infographic showing the top locally-owned gas stations across the country.

For drivers, not all gas stations are created equal. Sure, the big chains are reliable – but it’s the independent stops that often leave the biggest impression. These are the places with personality. A hand-painted sign. A grill out back. A cashier who knows your name or recommends the best local shortcut. Maybe the pumps are a little old-school, but the coffee’s strong, the snacks are weirdly perfect, and there’s a cat sleeping under the lottery tickets.

In an era of polished convenience stores and corporate uniformity, these roadside gems are becoming rare – and more beloved than ever.

Three locally-owned Colorado gas stations were named among the best in the country:

#35. Gas Express, Lakewood
Gas Express is a well-regarded neighborhood fuel stop offering a full range of fuel options, including regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel, alongside a variety of snacks and drinks, with quick, easy access that makes it a practical everyday choice for both locals and commuters. Customers frequently praise its friendly, accommodating staff, clean restrooms, and handy setup.

#50. Gas Cafe One Stop, Crested Butte
Gas Cafe One Stop on Butte Avenue in Crested Butte combines a full-service gas station with a beloved deli known for “killer sandwiches,” gourmet burgers, breakfast sammies, and more. It’s open daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM and is conveniently situated along the Mountain Express bus route. Visitors rave, calling it “the best BEC in Colorado” and praising the friendly, lively staff and the freshly made food.

#59. Coal Mine Gas Express, Littleton
Coal Mine Gas Express is a convenient neighborhood fuel stop known for its cleanliness, easy access, and helpful staff, along with a well-stocked mini-mart offering snacks and travel necessities. Customers often highlight the clean restrooms, fair fuel prices, and friendly service, making it a reliable choice for drivers in the Littleton and Denver area.

Infographic showing the top locally-owned gas stations across the country

“The gas stations on this list have always been more than just a place to fill your tank – they’re community touchpoints,” says Graham Sargent of American River Wellness. “What stood out in our survey is how much people cherish the quirks: the family-run bakery counter, the handwritten specials, even the old pumps. These stations prove that personality and care can turn a quick stop into something unforgettable.”

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American River Wellness, experts in return to duty support, carried out a survey of 3,016 drivers, asking them to name the best independent gas station in America. The top 10 were as follows:

#1. Rumpy’s Bakery & Deli, Gainesville, Texas
In Gainesville, Rumpy’s Bakery & Deli proves a pit stop can surprise you. Independently owned and operated, this gas station has earned a reputation as one of the best gas stations in Texas, thanks to its scratch-made fried pies, fresh breads, and deli favorites. Travelers pull in for fuel but linger over flavors like chocolate, coconut, and lemon pies that taste like they came straight from grandma’s kitchen. Rumpy’s blends the basics of a roadside stop with a dose of homemade comfort that keeps people coming back. 

#2. Patriot Petroleum + New England Homemade Donuts, Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Two local businesses share the same roof here: Patriot Petroleum runs the fuel station, while New England Homemade Donuts operates the doughnut counter inside. Together, they’ve turned an ordinary stop into a memorable one – drivers can top off their tanks and walk straight in for fresh doughnuts in flavors like maple bacon and blueberry cake. The pairing might be unconventional, but it works: a family-owned petroleum company and a beloved regional bakery offering fuel and sweets side by side in Portsmouth. 

#3. Boulineau’s Express, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
At Cherry Grove Beach, Boulineau’s Express keeps vacationers and locals fueled in more ways than one. Family-owned since 1948, the business runs multiple locations, but its Express station stands out for its mix of full fuel options – regular, diesel, non-ethanol, and marine gas – alongside a food program with fried chicken, pizza, and hearty breakfasts. With a car wash, convenience store, and ties to the larger Boulineau’s Market nearby, this stop reflects decades of local ownership. It’s a beach-town fuel station that has grown into a reliable, family-rooted brand. 

#4. Goose Creek Market, Staunton, Virginia
From the start, the owners of Goose Creek Market set out to create a place that combined quality food with real convenience for their community. They fuel the Shenandoah Valley with gas and diesel, but the heart of the stop is inside – stacked deli counters with Boar’s Head meats, hearty subs, and daily specials that locals count on. Travelers pull in for fuel, then discover why neighbors treat it as a favorite lunch spot. 

#5. Hickam 24 Hour Gas Station, Honolulu, Hawaii
Located on Kuntz Avenue inside Hickam AFB, this round-the-clock service station keeps travelers fueled day or night with reliable access to gas, snacks, and essentials. Customers appreciate the convenient layout and the fact that the store never sleeps.

#6. Cooper’s Country Store, Salters, South Carolina
Family-run since 1937, Cooper’s Country Store is as much a landmark as it is a gas station. The historic two-story building, with its shaded Exxon pumps out front, invites travelers to fuel up and step inside for groceries, hardware, and a back counter that serves whole-hog barbecue. Operated by the Cooper family for generations, the store has preserved its character while continuing to serve the community daily. Cooper’s remains one of those rare places where a fill-up and a meal come with a sense of South Carolina history. 

#7. The RoadRunners Gas Station & Convenience Store, Rocky Hill, Connecticut
The RoadRunners Gas Station & Convenience Store, which was established locally on May 8, 2018, and incorporated as Razia Foodmart LLC under manager Asad Mumtaz, reflects its community roots as a Rocky Hill–based convenience hub providing fuel and quick-shop essentials. 

#8. Pocket’s Convenience Stores, McKenzie & Huntingdon, Tennessee
Founded in 1932 and still run by the same family, Pocket’s Convenience Stores have been serving northwest Tennessee for five generations. Each location combines gas pumps with scratch-made food and neighborly service that reflects its local roots. More than a quick stop, Pocket’s carries on the small-town tradition of knowing customers by name, offering fresh meals alongside clean fuel, and treating travelers like part of the community. It’s a rare example of a family-run chain that still feels as personal as the day it began.

#9. American Quick Start & Gas, Brooklyn, New York
American Quick Start & Gas is a charming, vintage-style gas station and repair shop tucked into the beating heart of Red Hook. Its original rotary‑dial pumps and graffiti art make it feel like stepping into a piece of Brooklyn history. Its owners have earned a loyal following through fast, honest service and neighborhood care, and it feels like the kind of old-school fuel stop you don’t find much anymore.

#10. Blue Creek General Store, Blue Creek, Ohio
At the edge of Blue Creek, this family-owned gas station and store keeps the community fueled in more ways than one. Originally known as Knauff Grocery, the shop was revived under local ownership and continues to serve as a hub for both residents and travelers. Alongside its gas pumps, customers find deli favorites, hot pizza, a well-stocked beer cave, and shelves of everyday essentials. It’s the kind of independent stop where a quick fill-up comes with the easygoing hospitality of a small-town general store.