Lines were never so crazy as they got to be during the gas-rationing days of Los Angeles in the late-70s when my mom’s Mustang sported a famed “C Sticker,” which indicated what days she was allowed to get fuel. Cars were stacked 20-30 deep back from the pump during those dark times.

I think the lines get like that because AM/PM refuses to take credit cards at the pump

That particular gas station is awful, is must be something with the design layout. People coming in from both directions. Just the other day I bailed after trying to push in for 10 minutes.

Arco’s usually have lines as they are 10-15 cents less than the neighboring big brand name. At least in my hood thats the problem.

And the ARCOs near me at least don’t take credit cards either (though I think they take debit cards). So this may be a combo of more time-consuming transactions + lower prices. In particular, the Phillips “76″ stations near me have hit the magic $4 per gallon again for premium. Oh, it reads “$3.99.9,” but I think we all know that the penny is our smallest monetary unit.

I’ve seen lines at Arco’s before, but never this bad. I agree with Jim, that it has to be the layout. The one of Fairfax Ave. and Beverly Blvd. can get stacked, but I’ve never seen cars spilling out onto the streets. The other nearby stations are a 76, which, as Matt said, 10 – 15 cents more, but there’s a Shell not even half a mile away that’s only 2 – 3 cents more. It’s never full.