Gas Station Advertising, Digital Gas Station TV & C-Store DOOH
Gas station advertising—advertising at gas stations and convenience stores is impactful, spanning digital gas station TV screens, pump-top displays, and in-store C-store media—offers one of the most consistent and high-impact environments for reaching consumers on the move. With long dwell times at the pump, steady convenience-store foot traffic, and strong multicultural reach, these formats deliver powerful visibility across hard-to-reach audiences. This makes gas station and C-store advertising ideal for public-health campaigns, Fortune 500 brands, CPG advertisers, healthcare organizations, and local businesses. PlaceBased operates a nationwide network across 300+ markets in all 50 states, giving advertisers unmatched access to drivers, commuters, and convenience-store shoppers at scale.
Why Gas Station & C-Store Advertising Delivers High Impact
Gas station and convenience store advertising has become one of the most effective place-based media channels in the U.S., offering a rare combination of captive attention, high dwell time, and consistent daily traffic. Unlike traditional OOH, drivers and shoppers in these environments are stationary, attentive, and within inches of the message—making gas station and C-store DOOH + OOH placements extremely difficult to ignore.
With 2–5+ minutes of dwell time at the pump, and heavy foot traffic inside convenience stores, advertisers achieve powerful visibility across multicultural audiences, commuters, travelers, and everyday consumers. This makes gas station advertising ideal for public health campaigns, CPG brands, retail promotions, automotive, entertainment, and healthcare initiatives.
Key Benefits of Gas Station & C-Store DOOH + OOH Advertising
Unavoidable, eye-level visibility at the pump and throughout the C-store
Long dwell times that increase message retention and recall
High-frequency exposure from repeat weekly visits
Strong reach across multicultural, rural, and urban communities
Perfect for behavior-change messaging, QR code activations, and digital engagement
Consistent performance across 300+ markets and all 50 states
Whether the goal is mass awareness or driving direct action, gas station and C-store advertising delivers a reliable, scalable media solution that reaches consumers during a moment of pause—when attention is highest and distractions are few.
Gas Station & C-Store Advertising Media Formats
Gas stations and convenience stores (C-stores) offer a variety of media formats for advertising and communication, catering to a diverse audience with high dwell times and frequent visits. Here are the main formats available across our network:
Gas Station TV Advertising: Engage drivers with high-definition DOOH content while they fuel, leveraging long dwell times and unavoidable sightlines.
Pump-Top Digital Screens: Deliver motion-based messaging directly at the pump, capturing attention during a captive 3–5 minute fueling window.
In-Store Digital Displays: Reach convenience-store shoppers as they enter, browse, and check out with digital retail signage.
C-Store Posters & Window Clings: High-visibility static placements at entrances, coolers, and high-traffic interior zones.
Pump-Top Inserts / Pump Wraps: Static pump placements that stay in full view throughout the entire fueling session.
Counter Mats at Checkout: Capture attention at the point of purchase, ideal for CPG, public-health messages, and local business promotions.
Door Wraps & Entry Clings: Greet consumers at the store entrance with bold, full-coverage creative.
Floor Decals & Aisle Graphics: Reinforce messaging inside the store, especially in high-traffic beverage, snack, and lottery areas.
Take-Ones / Brochures: Provide actionable information for public-health, nonprofit, or program-based campaigns that require deeper education.
Bathroom Mirror Clings & Posters: Reach audiences in restrooms—an additional high-dwell, high-recall environment often overlooked by advertisers.
Cooler Door Wraps & Fridge Handle Clings: Highly visible placements that reach shoppers right at the product decision point.
Gas Station TV Advertising Formats Across the US
At PlaceBased Media, our national network includes digital pump screens, C-store displays, and a full suite of DOOH and OOH formats that deliver high-frequency exposure throughout the refueling and in-store experience.
At PlaceBased Media, our national network includes digital pump screens, C-store displays, and a full suite of DOOH and OOH formats that deliver high-frequency exposure throughout the refueling and in-store experience. These screens function very similarly to what many refer to as “gas station TV,” offering:
Full-motion video ads
Dynamic dayparting and scheduling
High dwell-time exposure (2–5+ minutes)
Audio-capable units in select markets
QR code-enabled engagement
Targeted coverage across 300+ markets in all 50 states
Pump Top Advertising
Static pump top displays are strategically positioned advertising platforms placed on fuel dispensers at gas stations. These displays typically consist of eye-catching signage or panels that deliver brand messages, promotions, or informative content. With their prime placement at eye level and the undivided attention of customers as they fuel up their vehicles, static pump top displays provide a unique opportunity to capture audience attention and deliver impactful messages.
How Gas Station Advertising Works?
Gas pump toppers are an innovative and effective form of out-of-home advertising, strategically placed on top of gas pumps to capture the attention of consumers as they refuel their vehicles. These ads benefit from high visibility and engagement, as drivers spend several minutes at the pump, making it an ideal moment to convey a marketing message. The content can range from static images to dynamic digital screens, allowing for a variety of advertising formats tailored to the target audience. Additionally, gas pump toppers often include interactive elements like QR codes or promotional offers, encouraging immediate consumer interaction.
C-Store Promotions
In-store advertising at convenience stores utilizes a variety of strategies to engage audiences. Key methods include digital screens displaying dynamic ads, shelf talkers for highlighting products, point-of-sale displays near checkout areas for impulse purchases, floor graphics, and window clings for eye-catching visual promotions.
Benefits of Gas Station Advertising.
Maximum Visibility: Gas station advertising and static pump top displays enjoy exceptional visibility, ensuring that brand messages reach a wide audience. They are positioned at a prime location within the gas station, making them virtually impossible for customers to overlook.
Targeted Reach: Gas stations cater to a diverse customer base, allowing advertisers to target specific demographics or geographic regions effectively. Static pump top displays enable precise targeting, reaching the right audience at the right time.
Frequency and Repetition: Since fueling is a routine task for many individuals, static pump top displays offer repeated exposure. Customers encounter these displays during multiple refueling visits, reinforcing brand recall and message retention.
Engaging and Captivating: Well-designed static pump top displays utilize compelling visuals, concise messaging, and clear calls to action to captivate customers. The ability to convey impactful messages in a concise and visually appealing format enhances customer engagement and increases the likelihood of desired actions.
Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other advertising mediums, static pump top displays offer cost-effective solutions for reaching a substantial audience. They provide a high return on investment by capitalizing on the captured attention and potential for customer conversions.
Strategies for Effective C-Store Advertising Campaigns:
Eye-Catching Design: Invest in visually striking and professionally designed graphics that instantly grab attention. Use bold colors, compelling imagery, and concise messaging to convey your brand's key selling points.
Clear Call to Action: Include a clear and concise call to action that directs customers on how to engage further with your brand. Whether it's a website visit, a social media follow, or a discount offer, make it easy for customers to take the next step.
Relevant and Targeted Messaging: Tailor your messages to resonate with the specific audience visiting the gas station. Consider local or regional factors, customer demographics, and current trends to make your messaging more relevant and appealing.
Seasonal and Promotional Campaigns: Capitalize on seasonal events, holidays, or special promotions to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action. Limited-time offers or exclusive deals can drive customer engagement and increase conversions.
Brand Consistency: Ensure that your static pump top displays align with your overall brand identity, including visual elements, tone of voice, and messaging. Consistency across different advertising channels helps strengthen brand recognition and customer trust.
Monitoring and Measurement: Regularly track and analyze the performance of your static pump top display campaigns. Utilize metrics such as impressions, engagement rates, and customer feedback to assess effectiveness and make data-driven optimizations.
Gas Station Advertising FAQs
What is gas station advertising?
Gas station advertising refers to placing promotional messages in and around fueling stations to reach consumers during one of the highest dwell-time moments of their day. This includes pump-top displays, gas station TV screens, digital DOOH units, nozzle ads, window clings, in-store posters, and checkout signage. Because fueling requires customers to remain in place for several minutes, gas station advertising provides consistent visibility and strong message retention. It’s a widely used form of place-based advertising that targets shoppers, drivers, commuters, and local consumers.
What is gas pump advertising?
Gas pump advertising focuses specifically on ad placements located directly on or around the pump, including static pump-top ads, digital pump-top DOOH screens, nozzle handle ads, and pump-wrap signage. These formats are positioned inches from the customer during the fueling process, creating unavoidable, high-frequency exposure. Gas pump ads are ideal for quick, simple messages that benefit from close-range visibility.
Can gas station advertising be integrated with digital marketing efforts?
Absolutely. QR codes and social media tags can be included in the ads, allowing customers to engage with the brand online. This integration creates a seamless connection between physical and digital marketing efforts. PlaceBased provides mobile marketing services that use proximity technology at its network of gas stations.
Why is gas station advertising effective?
Gas station advertising is effective because:
Fueling = guaranteed dwell time — most customers spend 3–5 minutes at the pump, giving your message repeated exposure.
Habitual visits — consumers fuel up an average of 1–3 times per week, creating natural frequency.
Multicultural reach — gas stations deliver strong penetration among Hispanic, African American, rural, and on-the-go audiences often missed by other media.
High attention — few competing distractions at the pump compared to other advertising environments.
Massive foot traffic — C-stores generate millions of monthly in-store visits nationally, extending visibility beyond the pump.
This combination of captive audiences, repetition, and broad demographic reach is why gas station advertising performs well for both awareness and behavior-change campaigns.
What types of businesses benefit from gas station advertising?
Gas station advertising works for nearly every category, but top performers include:
Public health and government agencies (traffic safety, smoking cessation, substance use prevention, workforce initiatives)
Healthcare organizations (urgent care, pharmacy services, insurance providers)
CPG brands (snacks, beverages, packaged goods)
QSR and local restaurants
Automotive services (tire shops, oil change centers, auto dealers)
Travel & hospitality (hotels, attractions, events)
Retail and grocery
Financial services (banks, credit unions, payday alternatives)
Because gas stations are a staple of everyday life, advertisers can reach local residents, commuters, and travelers with high consistency.
Let’s Talk.