Costco’s warehouse network spans across the country, but not every location delivers a smooth shopping experience. Some stores have become notorious for heavy traffic, limited parking, and long gas lines that test the patience of both locals and travelers. Many of these spots are near airports, tourist areas, or border crossings, where constant demand creates gridlock from open to close. Others struggle with compact layouts or complicated garages that slow every step of the visit. This list highlights 10 U.S. Costco locations that shoppers complain about most often, along with what makes each one challenging and how to time your visit to avoid the worst crowds.
1. Iwilei – Honolulu, Hawaii
The Iwilei Costco ranks among the most crowded warehouses in the state because it serves downtown Honolulu, nearby cruise berths, and several military communities. Shoppers report long waits to enter and a parking lot that backs up along Nimitz Highway during lunch and evening peaks. Drivers circle narrow lanes for an open space, then face lines at cart corrals and entry checkpoints. Inside, sampling tables slow movement through popular aisles, and the pharmacy and optical counters attract steady traffic. Checkout lanes often extend well past the belt, so staff direct customers to newly opened registers to speed flow.
2. Kahului – Maui, Hawaii
Kahului is a few minutes from the airport, making it the first stop for many visitors. Rental cars arrive in clusters as flights land, creating a predictable surge that strains the entrances and the fuel station. Parking fills quickly, and pedestrians with luggage or beach gear slow traffic as they cross toward the doors. Aisles stay busy through midday while travelers buy coolers, reef-safe sunscreen, snacks, and beverages for condo stays. Staff keep pallets stocked, yet popular vacation items sell down fast.
3. Lihue – Kauai, Hawaii
Lihue’s warehouse serves residents and nearly every vacation corridor on Kauai, so crowding starts early and returns with each afternoon flight arrival. The lot reaches capacity quickly, and drivers often wait for customers to load trunks and pull out. Inside, coolers, beach chairs, and bakery items see strong demand, and customers stack carts high for multi day stays on the North Shore or Poipu. The gas station remains a pressure point, with lines that can exceed half an hour during late afternoons. Staff move traffic with cones and hand signals, yet the pace still slows when multiple planes land. Regulars advise shopping midweek mornings, splitting parties so one person fuels while another checks out, and avoiding holidays when island events bring more vehicles to the area.
4. Kailua-Kona – Hawaii Island, Hawaii
The Kona warehouse overlooks the coast and is near the main airport for the west side of the Big Island, a combination that guarantees constant traffic. Visitors leaving KOA stop for groceries, snorkel gear, and cases of water before driving to Waikoloa or Kailua Village. The parking design funnels cars through tight turns, so backup builds quickly when pedestrians cross with carts. Inside, produce and seafood move fast, and popular prepared foods require frequent restocking. Fuel demand rarely dips, and long lines appear before dinner as travelers top off before longer drives north or south.
5. Bellingham – Washington
Bellingham’s proximity to the Canadian border draws a large volume of cross-border shoppers who combine grocery runs with fuel savings. The result is a warehouse and gas station that feels full from morning until evening, with peak crowding on weekends and holidays. Traffic often spills onto nearby streets, and parking patrols guide drivers toward outer rows to keep lanes clear. Inside, queues extend through high-demand sections such as dairy and frozen, and limited pallet space near end caps slows movement. The fuel plaza experiences the longest waits in the region, so attendants stack vehicles in multiple lanes to keep pumps active.
6. SoDo – Seattle, Washington
The SoDo Costco in Seattle draws locals and visitors attending sports events at T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field. Game days are difficult as traffic clogs surrounding industrial streets hours before and after events. The parking layout is tight, and pedestrians walking to and from neighboring lots create further backups. Inside, warehouse space feels compressed compared to suburban branches, and shoppers describe slow lines at checkout and limited cart availability. Employees work quickly to handle volume, though weekend congestion and limited exits make short visits unlikely. Regulars target weekday mornings when parking, aisles, and fuel lines remain manageable.
7. Sunset Park – Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn’s Sunset Park Costco remains one of the city’s busiest. Its two-level structure with rooftop parking confuses first-time visitors, and elevator queues slow cart movement. Long checkout lines block nearby aisles, and traffic along Second Avenue stacks up as trucks unload while customers arrive. The urban footprint leaves little room to relieve pressure, so crowds spike before holidays or storms when residents stock up. Even so, staff keep inventory moving with frequent restocking and clear signage. Regulars recommend early weekday mornings for a calmer experience, choosing spaces near the ramps for a quicker exit, and using smaller carts when possible to navigate tight turns near the front end.
8. Rego Park – Queens, New York
Queens’ Rego Park Costco is beneath a multi-level parking garage shared with other retailers, a setup that many customers find confusing. Narrow ramps and tight turns make navigation stressful, especially for larger vehicles. Inside, the store sees steady traffic from nearby apartments and travelers heading to LaGuardia. Checkout areas are crowded by midafternoon, and product aisles are narrow due to space limits. Shoppers often wait for elevators to move carts between floors, which adds delay during peak hours. The convenience of its location keeps volume high, yet locals warn about extended waits on evenings and weekends.
9. Pentagon City – Arlington, Virginia
The Pentagon City warehouse serves commuters, tourists, and residents from nearby Crystal City, which creates constant congestion. The attached garage drives most complaints. Drivers queue to enter, navigate ticket validation, and crawl toward exits during peak periods. Inside, lines move at a steady pace, though crowd size rarely drops. Limited floor space tightens aisles, and restocking carts can block popular sections during lunch and early evening. Many shoppers mention fuel delays, especially on weekday mornings. Frequent visitors plan trips late at night or early in the day to avoid heavy traffic, validate tickets at entry, and use self-checkout to shorten the last step.
10. Summerlin – Las Vegas, Nevada
Summerlin and the growing southwest corridor attract residents, visitors, and hospitality workers who use this warehouse for bulk groceries and fuel on the way to the Strip or Red Rock Canyon. That wide range creates steady pressure on parking and long approaches to the fuel plaza. Traffic stacks near the primary entrance as drivers wait for carts or trailers of shoppers loading vehicles. Inside, demand for bottled water, snacks, and prepared foods strains coolers by midafternoon. Checkout lines stay busy even on weekdays, and self-checkout often reaches capacity. Game weekends, large conventions, and pool season intensify volume.
