Are you planning a road trip in the United States for your next vacation? Then gas stations are a necessary evil! If you need to refuel along the way or make a stopover during your road trip, do so at one of these unique gas stations.
Refueling for architecture enthusiasts
California is bursting with gas stations with remarkable architecture and the great thing is that you can still refuel there.
Poshest Gas Station in Los Angeles
The Helios House in Los Angeles is reminiscent of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Inspired by architect Frank Gehry, the gas station is considered “the gas station of the future” and it is ecological too. The roof is covered with solar panels and the rainwater is also collected. You will find this architectural masterpiece on the corner of Olympic &Robertson blvd.
Orbit Gas Station in Orange Vale
A little further north in California, near Sacramento, is Orange Vale. Would you like to refuel in a unique gas station? Then look for pointed corners that stick out in all directions. This winged gas station is a fine example of Googie architecture based on unusual shapes and inspired by cars and space travel. In the 1940s to 1960s, the style was ubiquitous in Southern California. Now only a handful of examples can be found.
Jack Colker Union 96 Gas Station in Beverly Hills
Another fine example of that Googie architecture is the Jack Colker Union 96 Gas Station in Beverly Hills. The original roof was originally designed for LAX airport by none other than architect William Pereira. Since the airport ultimately didn't need the design, Beverly Hills ended up with an exceptional gas station.
Gas stations with historical value
Not only in California, but also in the rest of the United States you will find a lot of special gas stations. These three old gas stations are out of action, but are still worth a stop thanks to their unique look.
Teapot Gas Station, Washington
The teapot in Washington was built in 1922 and served as a gas station for some 80 years. The cute gas station was designed by Jack Ainsworth and was intended as a memorial to the Teapot Dome Scandal, which involved the administration under President Harding and an oil field (called Teapot Dome) in Wyoming. The oil reserves were leased to private oil companies under obscure conditions. Since 2007, the gas station was moved to be closer to the interstate. Now the gas station no longer sells fuel, but it belongs to the United States' National Register of Historic Places.
Airplane Service Station, Tennessee
A gas station in the eastern United States also managed to secure a spot on the United States' National Register of Historic Places. The Airplane Service Station was built in 1930 by brothers Elmer and Henry Nickle with the intention of making their gas station so original that it would attract more customers. It did that until 1960. Now the gas station in the shape of an airplane only serves as a historical place.
Shell Service Station, North Carolina
As part of a brand awareness campaign, Shell built a number of gas stations in the shape of a shell in the 1930s. There were at least eight of these stations in Winston-Salem, but this one built by R. H. Burton and his son is all that remains.
