Quick Answer: ATM Machines for Gas Stations
Find out whether an ATM is worth adding to your gas station, where to place it, which models to consider, and how much revenue it could generate.
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Is an ATM worth it for a gas station? | Yes, for many stations. Customers who withdraw cash may spend it in your store, while you earn surcharge revenue on each withdrawal. |
| Inside or outside? | Inside near the counter suits most stores. A through-the-wall ATM can provide 24-hour access after the store closes. |
| Best models | Genmega G2500 or Hyosung Halo II for standard indoor use, Hyosung Force for high-volume locations, and Genmega GT3000 for suitable through-the-wall installations. |
| What can it earn? | At 10 withdrawals per day and a $3.00 surcharge, an ATM generates approximately $900 per 30-day month in gross surcharge revenue, before costs. |
| Security basics | Bolt the machine down, keep it within camera view, and select an appropriate safe rating or through-the-wall unit for the location and security requirements. |
| How to start | Buy an ATM and retain the surcharge revenue, or ask ATMTrader about placement options. Call 855-286-2286. |
Why does a gas station need an ATM?
About 1 in 7 consumer payments still happens in cash. An ATM lets your customers get that cash and spend it with you instead of at the store down the street.
- Customers still carry cash. The Federal Reserve's 2026 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice found 76% of consumers kept cash in their wallets, and cash made up 14% of all consumer payments in 2025. Consumers used cash for purchases under $25 about five times a month, the size of a typical c-store basket.
- Cash saves you card fees. NACS reports the convenience industry paid more than $21 billion in credit and debit card fees in 2025. Many stations post a lower cash price per gallon for that reason. With an ATM on site, customers can pay the cash price without leaving.
- You have the traffic. The average U.S. convenience store handled 1,484 transactions a day in 2025, counting the pump and the register, according to NACS. If 1% of those transactions became ATM withdrawals, you would see about 15 a day.
- Customers spend withdrawn cash with you. A customer who takes out $60 at your ATM can spend part of it on snacks, drinks, lottery, or tobacco before leaving.
Rural stations see the strongest cash demand. The Fed's diary also found rural residents use cash for a larger share of payments than city residents.
Should a gas station ATM go inside or outside?
ATM Placement Options for Gas Stations
Compare indoor and outdoor ATM placements to evaluate accessibility, security risks, installation costs, and suitability for your gas station.
| Placement | Pros | Cons | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside, near the counter or entrance | Lower installation costs, staff visibility, and opportunities for customers to spend withdrawn cash in the store. | Accessible only during store operating hours. | Most convenience stores and gas stations. |
| Inside a 24-hour store | Round-the-clock customer access with staff present. | Requires secure anchoring and adequate camera coverage overnight. | 24-hour highway and urban gas stations. |
| Outside, through the wall | Supports after-hours withdrawals and serves walk-up customers. | Higher machine and installation costs, wall modifications, and weather exposure. | Stations that close overnight but attract late-night traffic. |
| Outside, freestanding at the pump island | High visibility from the forecourt. | Highest theft and weather exposure, plus enclosure and wireless connectivity requirements. | Generally not worth the added risk for a single-store operator. |
Most stations do best with the ATM inside. Put the machine within sight of the register and near the door. Staff watch it, cameras cover it, and customers walk past your shelves on the way back out.
Go outside only with the right hardware. Genmega and Hyosung design their floor-standing retail ATMs for indoor use. For an outside install, use a through-the-wall model like the Genmega GT3000, which has a weather-resistant enclosure. Read our guide to through-the-wall ATM installation cost and compliance before you cut into a wall.
What is the best ATM for a convenience store?
Best ATM Machines for Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
Compare ATM models based on store type, cash capacity, available space, and operating needs to find the right fit for your business.
| Store Type | Model | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Standard c-store, budget first | Genmega G2500 | Low entry price, with a standard 1,000-note cassette and the option to upgrade to four 2,000-note cassettes as transaction volume grows. |
| Standard c-store, simple operation | Nautilus Hyosung Halo II | Compact cabinet, attention-grabbing LED lighting, and straightforward operator menus. |
| Busy or 24-hour station | Nautilus Hyosung Force | Capacity of up to 6,000 notes across three cassettes, helping reduce replenishment frequency. |
| Store that sells ad space or promos | Genmega Nova | A 17-inch screen can display video advertisements and promotions while customers withdraw cash. |
| Small kiosk or tight counter | Genmega Onyx-W | Can be wall-mounted or placed on a counter, avoiding the need for a dedicated floor-standing footprint. |
| Outside wall, after-hours access | Genmega GT3000 | A compact through-the-wall ATM designed for installations requiring an appropriate weather-resistant enclosure. |
Most stations don't have a network cable near the ATM spot. A wireless ATM modem connects the machine over cellular, so you can put it by the door or register without running new cable.
Browse every model in our ATM machines collection.
How much money does a gas station ATM make?
You earn the surcharge on each withdrawal. Bankrate's 2025 fee study put the average surcharge at bank-owned ATMs at $3.22. Independent retail ATMs often charge between $2.50 and $3.50, depending on the market.
A $3.00 surcharge at three volume levels, over a 30-day month:
ATM Surcharge Revenue by Daily Transaction Volume
Estimate potential ATM surcharge revenue based on daily withdrawals, assuming a $3.00 surcharge per transaction and consistent activity throughout the year.
| Withdrawals per Day | Monthly Withdrawals | Monthly Surcharge Income | Yearly Surcharge Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 150 | $450 | $5,400 |
| 10 | 300 | $900 | $10,800 |
| 20 | 600 | $1,800 | $21,600 |
Note: Estimates assume 30 days per month, 12 months per year, and a $3.00 surcharge per withdrawal. Figures represent gross surcharge revenue before processing fees, revenue sharing, maintenance, cash handling, and other operating expenses.
These are gross figures. Subtract your costs before you count profit:
- Processing fees charged per transaction by your processor
- Wireless data plan if you connect by cellular
- Receipt paper and parts over the life of the machine
- Cash loading time, or an armored carrier if you don't load it yourself
You also need cash to fill the machine. Plan on keeping a few thousand dollars in the cassette at a typical store, more at a busy station.
At 10 withdrawals a day, a Genmega G2500 at $2,559 pays for itself in about three months of gross surcharge income. For help setting your fee, read our guide to surcharge strategy. Our ATM processing program can connect your machine and pay out your surcharge.
What security does a gas station ATM need?
Your station stays open late and keeps cash on site. Plan security before the machine arrives.
- Anchor it. Bolt floor-standing units to the concrete through the anchor holes in the safe base. Anchor wall units into studs or masonry.
- Keep it in view. Place the ATM where staff and cameras can see it from the register.
- Pick the right safe. Every model ATMTrader sells comes with a UL 291 business-hours safe, rated for use while the store is open. For a 24-hour site, ask about a Level 1 safe, available on models such as the Nova, Halo II, and Force.
- Limit overnight cash. Load less cash before closing if the machine sits in a store that locks up overnight.
- Check it for skimmers. Look over the card reader and keypad during shift changes. Train staff on what a tampered reader looks like.
Do outdoor gas station ATMs need an enclosure?
Yes, if the machine isn't built for outdoor use. An indoor ATM left outside wears out faster from rain, sun, and temperature swings. Most retail ATMs operate between 45°F and 95°F, so an outdoor unit needs a weather-rated cabinet or a protective enclosure, and in many climates heating or cooling as well. Our post on what can ruin an outdoor ATM enclosure covers the common failures. A through-the-wall install avoids most of these problems because the machine body stays indoors.
How do I get an ATM for my business?
ATMTrader is backed by NationalLink's 30+ years in the ATM industry. You can set up your station three ways:
- Own the ATM. Buy the machine and keep the full surcharge. You load the cash or hire an armored carrier.
- Full-service placement. A provider supplies the machine, loads cash, and maintains it. You get a share of the surcharge without the work.
- ATM as a Service (ATMaaS). One monthly fee covers the hardware, processing, monitoring, and support.
To get started:
- Send us your address, hours, and a few photos of where you want the ATM.
- Pick the program and model that fit your store.
- Set up processing and connectivity, including a wireless modem if you need one.
- Install, add "ATM Inside" signage to your door and pumps, and go live.
Call ATMTrader at 855-286-2286 or browse the ATM machines collection to choose your model.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an ATM at my gas station without buying it?
Yes. With a placement program, a provider supplies and services the ATM and pays you a share of each surcharge. You earn less per withdrawal than an owner, but you put no money into the machine.
Do I need a license to put an ATM in my store?
You don't need a federal license to own a retail ATM. Your processor sponsors the machine onto the card networks, and some states have registration rules for ATM operators. Check your state's requirements before you go live.
How much cash should I keep in a gas station ATM?
Load enough to cover several days of withdrawals between visits. Multiply your average daily withdrawals by your average withdrawal amount, then by the number of days between loads, and add a buffer for weekends and holidays.
Will an ATM increase sales in my convenience store?
It can. Customers who withdraw cash at your store can spend part of it before they leave. Place the ATM where customers walk past your shelves on the way out, and post "ATM Inside" signs on your door and pumps.
Can I set my own ATM surcharge?
Yes, if you own the machine. You set the surcharge through your processor, and the machine must show the fee on screen before the customer completes the withdrawal.
