Shell

Rating: 3.7 / 5 (160 Reviews)

Shell is a Car Wash located in Shell, 5500 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310

Listing Status: Verified & Active | Last data verification: Mar 11, 2026
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Working Hours

  • Monday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Tuesday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Wednesday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Thursday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Friday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Saturday: Open (Open 24 hours)
  • Sunday: Open (Open 24 hours)

Price Level: $$

Reviews

Karen Vaught - Customer Review Photo

Karen Vaught

My family has been filling up at this location for 8 years - I’d conservatively estimate we’ve spent around $8,000 here. Today, I put $1.50 in their vacuum, and it didn’t work - something must have been clogging the hose. I requested a refund, so I could move to another machine. The clerk asked “how she could believe” I had put money in the vacuum (the machine was still running, my car parked in front of it). She then called the manager who said they ”don’t give money away,” and don’t own the machines, but I could contact the machine owner for a refund. If it’s on your business property, you are responsible for it. How colossally stupid to lose a loyal customer over $1.50. There are two gas stations next to this one, no it’s not as if they have no competition.
8 years ago
LivingMyLife24x7 - Customer Review Photo

LivingMyLife24x7

Car wash SUCKS! It didn’t wash the dirt off the tires and I have to hand wash my car after paying $17 to Shell.
9 months ago
Tony Denardoe - Customer Review Photo

Tony Denardoe

This guy Michael working there is absolutely a rude person. I can not believe how someone can have attitude because I wants to put my tel for the rewards. He typed it so fast. I walked out I’ll take my gas and that 50 I was spending in the store elsewhere.
2 years ago
Ted Smithy - Customer Review Photo

Ted Smithy

READ THIS BEFORE YOU PAY FOR THIS CAR WASH This car wash used to be very good, although quite expensive compared to others. Over the past year, adjustments were made to the automated actions that have greatly decreased the amount of water spray, soap, protectant, air dry time, and especially rinse water. These limitations were applied TO EVERY LEVEL OF WASH. The past two times I used it (latest was Jan 27, 2021), the rinse did not work at all, so I had to use their hose to rinse off the soap. Among the best features that no longer provide adequate cleaning is the undercarriage wash to remove salt during winter months. That part of the cycle has been shortened to less than 8 seconds, rendering it almost useless. And finally, the overall effectiveness of the wash is very poor. Go somewhere else until the owners correct the problems.
5 years ago
AL Williams - Customer Review Photo

AL Williams

It is very unprofessional to call a customer of over 18+ years a liar(or any customer). The attendant did not check to see if in fact the car washing machine was working properly. He did not even look at all of the soap and dirt on our car. Please note that there were witnesses to it not working. We have no reason to lie about a $12 car wash. You had no problem taking the money for the car wash and gas.
5 years ago
James Durham - Customer Review Photo

James Durham

It’s the only of the three gas stations next to each other to be open 24hrs, so that’s a plus. The only one to have a car wash as well. The regular gas is always the most expensive, but Shell is the only premium I’d trust. No indoor store. Also some shady figures hanging around at night, one asked me if I wanted some body work, I politely declined.
6 years ago
Jimmie Cuevas - Customer Review Photo

Jimmie Cuevas

Love getting gas. Car wash is a rip off. Just went through and car wash stop working. I called the attendant and he got it to work however I did not get the car wash I already paid.for which was 15 bucks. I had to pull out and go back in but had to pay again. What a Rip off. Do not use this place car wash unless you like having soap stuff k to your car.
4 years ago
Arun Baral - Customer Review Photo

Arun Baral

Car wash only cleans from the top, no side swipe, so soap us not removed from the sides, mirrors etc. Paid $15 for an ultimate wash, and just got the soap and rinse from over the top and had to go home and hose down the sides. Would not recommend the car wash, every one is taking shortcuts these days.
6 years ago
tdyed63 - Customer Review Photo

tdyed63

I have a shell rewards card. It won't let me earn rewards according to the cashier. Happened to me & friend. so I go to one of the other stations with same prices. However the bathrooms are moderately clean. So far.
2 years ago
Lisa B - Customer Review Photo

Lisa B

This was a nice has station before the recent renovation. Now, I have problems every 3rd or 4th visit: the gas pump doesn't work, the carwash is broken down. Just now I tried to get gas and a car wash. Machine told me to go inside. Cashier looked at me confused and said "Let's go outside..." This is ridiculous and this place need a to be fixed!
2 years ago
Charles Tse - Customer Review Photo

Charles Tse

This is an awesome gas station. Consistently has the cheapest premium gas by at least 20c/gallon. The only downside is I have to use the Shell Pay app to get the discount and to make sure it counts towards my FuelRewards, but it is still convenient.
2 years ago
F. K. - Customer Review Photo

F. K.

My review is for the car wash only. I bought the most expensive wash and it was litterally one of the worst no touch washes I have tried. The primary chemical which it sprayed first was very sparce and it did a horrible job, not cleaning the car and left chemical spots all over the car. I will never use it again!
a year ago
Matthew Bruns - Customer Review Photo

Matthew Bruns

'EXTREME' car wash does not appear to do anything any differently than a regular car wash. At first, I thought that it was a glitch, but I've been here three times, and all of that stuff they advertise isn't there. Don't do what I did. Don't pay for services you don't get. Gas is fine.
a year ago
ahad wahedi - Customer Review Photo

ahad wahedi

Very bad customer service I was requested used my phone number for gas but refused and talk like his a boss saying leave store If you not leave the store I wanna call a police with any reason
a year ago
Hesam Shabani - Customer Review Photo

Hesam Shabani

I had a 5 star review before. Now I switch it to one star. After paying almost $20 for car wash, you can see what I got. Car is not only not clean, it became more dirty than before washing it !!! Totally unacceptable.
Edited a year ago
Angela Cook - Customer Review Photo

Angela Cook

It is a great looking gas station with a 7-11 store. Very convenient for a quick shop and gas.
2 months ago
Philip Tirpak - Customer Review Photo

Philip Tirpak

I had not gone to this station for several years until today. Though it is in a convenient location last time there were problems at the pump, I thought that they would have been corrected but they were not. After about four gallons the pump shut off to indicate my gas tank was full, it was not. I will not waste my time again
7 months ago
Ana Williams - Customer Review Photo

Ana Williams

I paid $2 for the air pump, but it didn’t work at all — no air came out, and it was clearly broken. I tried several times with no result, and the staff refused to refund me, which was disappointing. Even though $2 isn’t a big amount, it still matters to me — it’s not right to take customers’ money for nothing. I hope the store can fix the machine and treat customers fairly.
4 months ago
John Smith III - Customer Review Photo

John Smith III

Had to grab gas and this Shell location was the closest to me. The service pumps were in good working order, I was able to use my Giants grocery store discount to get $0.30 per gallon up to 20 gallons of gas. Didn’t see a service attendant, but I just grabbed gas and left.
a year ago
Elmer Fudd - Customer Review Photo

Elmer Fudd

⚠️ Car Wash Makes Cars Dirtier — Management Doesn’t Care: Note to customers: there are a large number of complaints about this car wash, and based on my experience, management has shown no interest in addressing them. Summary of issues: broken and poorly maintained window-cleaning stations, the worst touchless car wash I have ever used, and staff/management unwilling to address obvious problems. The biggest issue is the car wash itself. This is the worst touchless car wash I have ever used. Your vehicle will come out dirtier than it went in. This was the third time I tried this wash, and unfortunately the third failure. For context, my car had been fully hand-detailed by hand just one day prior and only had very light dust on it after a long drive. It should have come out clean. Instead, the wash applies soap very unevenly, uses so little water that the applied chemicals are not properly rinsed off, and leaves soap residue and water spots all over the vehicle. There was also a very obvious mechanical issue: one spray arm was releasing far less product than the other, resulting in uneven coverage across the car. I deliberately crept through the blowers to ensure even coverage front to back, yet the car exited with multiple panels still soaking wet and still coated with soap. When wash chemicals are not adequately rinsed away, their pH levels can be harmful to a vehicle’s paint and clear coat if left on the surface, forcing customers to immediately rewash their cars by hand to avoid potential damage. I went inside to report the issue and was initially told, “Sorry, there is nothing we can do with the car wash.” I respectfully asked the attendant to at least come outside and look at the vehicle and requested a simple rinse and dry to remove the remaining soap. He declined, would not inspect the car, and only suggested contacting management on Monday after I repeatedly pushed the issue. I also asked that they check the wash so this wouldn’t happen to the next customer. There was no interest shown. The second issue is basic maintenance at the pumps, and it is apparent before you even start fueling. The torn foam applicators and unusable squeegees at the pumps clearly signal how poorly this location is maintained and managed. They leave heavy streaks instead of cleaning the glass. I tried multiple pumps with the same result, and the customer next to me was experiencing the exact same issue. This is basic upkeep that is simply not being done. This is not about a one-off malfunction—it’s about management choosing not to address known problems. A business that sells a car wash should stand behind it, or at the very least make a reasonable effort to correct an obvious failure. At the end of this experience, I genuinely feel like the $17 I paid for this car wash was taken from me with no service provided in return. Management should review my complaint, photos, and receipt. If management takes a proactive approach to addressing the large number of complaints about their car wash, I would be happy to update or remove this review. If the charge is not refunded, I will dispute it with my card issuer. I’m sharing this so others are warned: if you care about your vehicle or expect even basic customer service, skip the car wash and be cautious at this location.
2 months ago

Contact

Address: Shell, 5500 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310 Alexandria, VA Arlington

Phone: 17032149027

Website:

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