Gas Station Parking Lot Striping: Fuel Island Markings, Traffic Flow, and Safety

Gas Station Lots Are Complex Traffic Environments

Gas station properties pack multiple traffic systems into a small footprint. Fuel island traffic follows specific approach and departure lanes. Convenience store parking serves quick-stop customers. Car wash lanes add another traffic path. Delivery trucks need access for fuel tanker deliveries. Pedestrians walk between the fuel islands and the store. All of this operates simultaneously in a space that may be less than half an acre.

This complexity demands clear, durable markings that separate these traffic systems, guide drivers through the correct paths, protect pedestrians, and maintain fire safety access. Gas station lots also face unique pavement challenges — fuel spills, oil drips, and heavy truck traffic create accelerated paint degradation that requires durable marking materials and more frequent maintenance.

Fuel Island Approach and Departure Markings

Approach Lanes

Painted lane markings guide vehicles into the correct alignment with fuel pump islands. Each fuel position should have lane boundary lines defining the approach, directional arrows indicating the correct entry direction, and a stop line or positioning mark indicating where the vehicle should stop for optimal pump hose reach.

For stations with multiple fuel islands, lane markings prevent drivers from cutting across islands — a dangerous behavior that creates side-impact collision risk with vehicles at adjacent pump positions.

Departure Lanes

Exit markings guide vehicles away from the fuel islands and back into the lot's main traffic flow. Directional arrows and merge markings help drivers exit without conflicting with approaching vehicles or pedestrian traffic.

One-Way vs. Two-Way Flow

Most fuel island configurations use one-way traffic flow — vehicles enter from one end and exit from the other. This pattern should be clearly marked with directional arrows, "ENTER" and "EXIT" text, and "DO NOT ENTER" or "WRONG WAY" markings at the exit end.

Convenience Store Parking

The convenience store parking area should be clearly separated from fuel island traffic. Parking stalls near the store entrance serve customers making quick purchases. These spaces should be marked with standard stall lines, ADA accessible spaces near the store entrance, "PARKING ONLY" or time-limit markings to prevent fuel-island queue vehicles from parking here, and clear pedestrian paths connecting parking to the store entrance.

Fire Safety Markings

Gas stations face the most stringent fire safety marking requirements of any commercial property due to the flammable materials on site.

Fire lane access. Fire lanes must provide emergency vehicle access to all fuel storage tank locations, all fuel pump islands, the convenience store building, and any car wash or service bay buildings. Red curbing and signage must be maintained.

Fuel delivery zone. The area where fuel tanker trucks park during delivery must be marked and kept clear. This area needs "NO PARKING — FUEL DELIVERY" markings and must provide the tanker truck adequate space to position over fill ports.

Emergency shutoff access. The path to emergency fuel shutoff controls must be marked and kept clear. Some jurisdictions require painted markings on the pavement leading to the shutoff location.

Fire hydrant clearance. Standard 15-foot clearance zones around fire hydrants must be marked with red curbing.

ADA Compliance

Gas stations with convenience stores must provide ADA accessible parking based on total lot capacity, an accessible route from parking to the store entrance, accessible fuel pump approaches if self-service fueling is offered, and accessible payment interfaces at pump islands. Note that Oregon requires full-service fueling by law, which addresses fuel pump accessibility differently than self-service states.

Pavement Challenges at Gas Stations

Gas station pavement faces chemical exposure that other commercial lots do not experience. Gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid create surface contamination that degrades paint adhesion. The areas around fuel islands and in the lane markings directly adjacent to pumps are particularly affected.

Paint selection. Solvent-based alkyd paint resists fuel and oil contamination better than water-based latex. Epoxy provides the highest resistance to chemical degradation. For fuel island markings that are routinely exposed to fuel drips, epoxy is the recommended choice.

Surface preparation. Thorough degreasing before paint application is essential. Gas station pavement requires more intensive degreasing than standard commercial lots. Multiple degreaser applications may be needed in heavily contaminated areas.

Maintenance frequency. Expect fuel island markings to need re-painting every 12 to 18 months even with alkyd or epoxy paint, due to the chemical exposure. Convenience store parking areas away from fuel contamination can follow standard re-painting intervals.

Coordinate with a sealcoating and striping package for comprehensive maintenance. See our parking lot striping cost in Oregon guide for pricing and complete striping guide for materials.

Cost of Gas Station Striping

A typical gas station with 4 fuel islands, 10 convenience store parking spaces, and associated markings costs $1,500 to $4,000 for complete striping including lane markings, stall lines, ADA spaces, fire lanes, directional arrows, and specialty stencils.

Gas Station Striping by Cojo

Cojo provides striping services for gas stations and fuel retailers across Oregon. We use chemical-resistant paint formulations and thorough degreasing protocols appropriate for fuel-contaminated pavement.

Contact Cojo for a free gas station lot assessment.