When people think about running a gas station in the US, most assume, "You must make good money selling gas," but the reality is that the profit from gas is quite low.

When a gas station sells a gallon of gas, the net profit is usually only about 5 to 15 cents.

This is because there are costs associated with purchasing from refineries, high taxes, and fierce price competition in different regions. Therefore, making money solely from gas sales is difficult, and additional business ventures are much more important.

For example, there's the convenience store inside the gas station, right?

They make a profit by selling items like cigarettes, coffee, snacks, and lottery tickets.

These typically have a margin of 30-50%, which significantly contributes to revenue.

Some gas stations also earn money by adding self-service car washes, automatic car washes, repair shops, and oil change services.

If you manage the installation and labor costs well, this can provide a steady income.

Additionally, there are fees from ATMs and air machines for tires that can also bring in quite a bit of revenue.

In reality, running a gas station can yield a variety of net profits.

It varies by region and size, but for a medium-sized gas station with a convenience store and car wash,

it's common to see net profits ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 a year.

Of course, if operated like a large chain, even more is possible.

So what does the future hold?

With the rise of electric vehicles, many wonder, "Aren't gas stations going to fail?" but that's too extreme a viewpoint.

In the future, gas stations will evolve from just selling gas to becoming electric vehicle charging stations + convenience stores + lifestyle platforms.

In fact, some large gas stations in the US are already being developed into complex spaces with charging stations, car washes, coffee shops, and package pickup lockers.

The era of making money solely from gas sales is over, and gas stations must now become comprehensive lifestyle stores to survive.

If managed well, stable profits are possible, but factors like location, site, and additional services determine more than half of the revenue.

The initial investment cost is somewhat high, but it is a business that can provide steady income in the long term.