Where to Get an Oil Change: Compare Your Options
- Reviewed by Take 5
- 3 min read
- Quick Answers
- Published Sep 28, 2026
An oil change itself takes about ten minutes. Figuring out where to get oil changed? That can feel like its own project. Dealerships, big-box retailers, quick-lube chains, and your own driveway all have something to offer, but they don't all make the same trade-offs in time, cost, or convenience. Most drivers just want to get in, get it done, and feel good about their choice.
This guide breaks down what each oil change option actually looks like, so you can pick the one that fits your schedule and your budget.
Your Oil Change Options at a Glance
When you're deciding where to get oil changed, your options generally fall into four categories. Each one handles price, speed, and convenience a little differently.
Important note: Prices and wait times will vary by location, vehicle, and oil type.
Below, we'll walk through what each option actually looks like from the driver's seat.
Quick-Lube Chains: Speed and Convenience
If speed is the priority when you're figuring out where to get your oil changed, quick-lube chains are built for exactly that. Most locations don't require an appointment, and service times typically range from 10 to 30 minutes. Pricing ranges widely depending on your oil change option and provider.
That said, the experience can vary a lot from one brand to the next. Some chains operate behind closed doors, so you're sitting in a waiting room with no idea what's happening to your car. Others rely on upsells to hit their margins, which can turn a simple oil change into an uncomfortable sales pitch.
At Take 5, the model is different. You stay in your car the entire time while our technicians work in an open bay, so you can see and hear every step. No waiting room, no pressure. Our techs tell you what your car needs and what it doesn't, and you're back on the road in about 10 minutes. That's how we think an oil change should work.
Retailers: Do They Offer Oil Changes?
Some big-box stores offer oil change services at their auto care centers, and the prices are hard to beat. Most services include a new filter and a quick check on fluids, battery, and tire pressure.
The trade-off is time. You'll typically wait anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the shop is, and you'll need to leave your car with the service center while they work. The upside? You can knock out some shopping while you wait.
Not every warehouse club or retailer has a service bay, though. Several of the big names only sell motor oil and filters at bulk prices, but they don't do the work for you. Check ahead before you drive over.
Dealerships: Expert Service at a Cost
Your car's dealership is a natural first thought for an oil change. The technicians are factory-trained on your specific make and model, and they use manufacturer-recommended parts and oil. For newer vehicles still under warranty, that peace of mind can matter.
The trade-off is time and money. A dealership oil change is usually the most expensive option, especially for luxury or European models. And most visits take over an hour, even with an appointment. That's a chunk of a Saturday morning or a long lunch break you won't get back. If your vehicle doesn't require dealer-specific service, those extras may not be worth the wait.
DIY: Your Car in Your Hands
Changing your own oil is the cheapest option on paper. You just need to buy the oil and a filter. If you like working on your car, it can be a satisfying project.
But for most people, the full picture looks different. You need the right tools, a safe way to lift the car, somewhere to catch and store the old oil, and a parts store trip to dispose of it. Factor in the setup and cleanup, and a DIY oil change can eat up the better part of a weekend afternoon.
Why Drivers Choose Take 5
After weighing all the options for where to get oil changed, it comes down to what you value most. If the answer is speed, transparency, and trust in one stop, you'll find it at Take 5.
During a Take 5 oil change, you stay in your car the entire time. Our technicians work in an open bay, so you see and hear every step instead of staring at a waiting room wall. They'll tell you what your car needs and what it doesn't. No upsells, no pressure, no surprises on the receipt.
The whole thing takes about ten minutes. Every visit includes a free tire pressure check and top-off. No appointment needed — just pull in.
Find a Take 5 location near you and cross the oil change off your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some retailers tend to have low sticker prices for conventional oil changes, with many quick lube chains not far behind. DIY can cost even less if you already have the tools. But the price is only part of the picture. Wait times, convenience, and what's included all determine where your money goes furthest.
Start with the basics: the right oil type for your vehicle, transparent pricing, and a service time that fits your schedule. Beyond that, the biggest factors drivers tend to care about are time savings, being able to see the work being done, and knowing they won't be pressured into services they don't need. A shop that's upfront about what your car needs (and honest about what it doesn't) is one worth going back to.
You stay in your car the entire time while our technicians work in an open bay. Service takes about ten minutes, and every visit includes a free tire pressure check and top-off. Our techs tell you what your car needs and what it doesn't. No upsells, no pressure.