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Buyer guide · Virginia · Updated October 2026

Buy a gas station in Virginia

Virginia combines high-income Northern Virginia, the Richmond and Hampton Roads metros and long interstate corridors, so station prices vary widely across the state. Here is what buyers should know before making an offer in Virginia.

The Virginia market right now

79 gas stations, c-stores and truck stops were listed for sale in Virginia in our daily index, with a median asking price of $1.8M. The middle half asked between $699K and $3.8M, and most included the real estate.

Source: Global Petro Advisors’ daily index of public Virginia gas station and c-store listings, October 19, 2026 (77 with an asking price; car washes, land, sold and other non-station listings removed). Asking prices, not sale prices. For how stations are actually priced, see how much gas stations sell for.

  • Northern Virginia stations ask some of the highest prices on the East Coast, driven by land values. Stations in Southside and Southwest Virginia ask far less.
  • I-95, I-81, I-64, I-66, I-77 and I-85 carry heavy freight, and I-81 in particular is a major truck route.
  • Many listings include the real estate. Check zoning and any road projects near the site, especially in fast-growing counties.

Our own Virginia listing

An exclusive Global Petro Advisors listing in Virginia. One short NDA unlocks the name, location and full numbers.

1. Financing a Virginia gas station

Most buyers use an SBA loan. An SBA 7(a) loan (up to $5 million) can cover the business, the property, equipment and working capital. An SBA 504 loan is built for the real estate: roughly 50% from the bank, 40% from an SBA-backed lender and 10% from you, often 15% because lenders treat gas stations as special-purpose property. Plan on about 10 to 20% down overall, plus inventory at closing, and have proof of funds ready for your offer.

SBA 7(a) loans ↗SBA 504 loans ↗

Want a lender who already knows stations? See our preferred partners.

2. Tanks and environmental checks in Virginia

In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) registers and inspects petroleum storage tanks. The Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund can reimburse eligible cleanup costs above a deductible.

Ask the seller for the DEQ registration, inspection and leak-detection records, tank install dates and any past release with its closure letter. Your lender will order a Phase I either way.

Virginia DEQ petroleum tanks ↗EPA underground storage tanks ↗

3. Licenses and permits in Virginia

Beer and wine to go needs an off-premises retail license from Virginia ABC, issued to the new owner, so apply early. The lottery contract comes from the Virginia Lottery. Plan the transfers early so they don’t hold up closing.

Virginia ABC licenses ↗Virginia Lottery ↗

4. Check the numbers and the contracts

Match tax returns to P&Ls, monthly fuel gallons to supplier statements, and inside sales to POS reports. Read the fuel supply agreement for term, gallons owed, assignment rules and any payback of incentives, and if the land is leased, confirm the years left. Our guide on fuel supply contracts explains what to look for.

5. Make an offer and close

Offers go in as a Letter of Intent with price, deposit, a 30 to 60 day due diligence period, financing terms and inventory at cost. Then come the Phase I, lender approval, license transfers, the supplier’s consent, an inventory count and the keys. The full path is in how to buy a business.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a gas station cost in Virginia?
Public Virginia gas station and c-store listings had a median asking price of about $1.8M in our October 2026 index, with the middle half between $699K and $3.8M. Most included the real estate. Asking prices are not sale prices.
Who regulates gas station tanks in Virginia?
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) registers and inspects petroleum tanks. The Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund can reimburse eligible cleanup costs above a deductible.
Can I use an SBA loan to buy a Virginia gas station?
Yes. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are common for Virginia stations. Expect a Phase I environmental review and roughly 10 to 20 percent down.
Who issues beer and wine licenses for a Virginia gas station?
Virginia ABC issues off-premises retail licenses. The new owner applies in their own name, so start early in the deal.

Buying in another state?

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Selling instead? See how to sell a gas station.