Embarking on a car wash venture? The cornerstone of success lies in selecting the ideal location. With substantial capital required for land acquisition, permitting, construction, car wash equipment, staffing, and operational costs, it’s imperative that car wash entrepreneurs leave no stone unturned during the site-selection phase. To assist in this crucial task, we present The Top 12 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Car Wash Location:
- Demographic Sweet Spot
Where the vehicles are is where your car wash should be – it’s that simple. But beyond basic population statistics, certain areas are more likely to generate the steady stream of dirty cars that fuel your operation. In order of desirability: retail corridors, business districts, residential neighborhoods, and industrial zones. Retail hubs take the top spot due to the traffic they attract, particularly from “soccer moms” and “service seekers” – the bread and butter of most car wash clientele. - Area Development Status
People are naturally drawn to the shiny and new. In the retail world, customers flock to emerging areas to see what all the fuss is about. This makes developing zones prime real estate for your car wash. After that, consider growing or stable established areas, while giving declining neighborhoods a wide berth. - Traffic Composition
Not all vehicles on the road are potential customers. As mentioned earlier, shoppers are the golden geese of car washing. Next in line are local business and residential drivers. Think twice before setting up shop where most of the traffic consists of commuters rushing to and from work. - Speed Limits
A driver barreling down the highway at 70 mph isn’t likely to screech to a halt for a quick wash – even if they manage to spot your sign. This makes traffic speed a critical factor. Aim for areas with a 30 mph limit, and avoid roads where vehicles zoom by at over 50 mph. - Lot Configuration
Generally, there are four site layouts to consider: Ideal: Corner lot with traffic light Good: Mid-block lot near traffic light Acceptable: Corner lot without traffic light Use Caution: Mid-block lot without traffic light - Ease of Access
Smooth entrance and exit are non-negotiable: Optimal: Easy ingress/egress at a corner lot Good: Easy ingress/egress with moderate traffic Caution: Challenging ingress/egress Avoid: Difficult access due to divided highway - Site Visibility
An invisible car wash is a lonely car wash. Strive for visibility from both directions of at least 500 feet, while anything less than 200 feet should raise red flags. Be wary of large setbacks (especially if neighboring buildings are closer to the road), and obstructions like overgrown vegetation or overpasses that might hide your business from view. - Traffic Volume
Traffic count data is typically available from local or state transportation departments. Naturally, higher counts are preferable, with 10,000+ vehicles per day being the gold standard. - Operational Hours
A 24/7 operation maximizes your investment, but local regulations may restrict your hours. Barring round-the-clock service, aim for at least 75 weekly operating hours (about 11 hours daily), with diminishing returns as allowable hours decrease. - Zoning Regulations
Don’t overlook municipal ordinances governing noise levels, lighting, hours of operation, and utility consumption – particularly peak usage restrictions. - Utility Access
Your site must have ready access to water/sewer, electricity, and natural gas. Water should flow at rates up to 30 gallons per minute at 30-50 psi. While needs vary, plan for electrical service to support a 200-amp breaker panel at 208 VAC 3PH. Reliable internet connectivity is also a must. - Competitive Landscape
Two aspects require evaluation when sizing up the competition. First, consider physical distance – a location where the nearest rival is at least seven miles away is ideal, with the threat increasing as that gap narrows. Second, assess the competitor’s offerings. What type of wash do they operate – in-bay automatic or tunnel? Full-service or exterior only? Friction or touch-free? Are they standalone or part of a gas station/convenience store? What additional services do they provide (vacuums, detailing, etc.)?
Given the multitude of variables at play, it’s unlikely you’ll find a site that ticks every box. Some give-and-take will be necessary during your search. By using these 12 factors as a guide, however, car wash operators can make an informed, strategic decision that lays the foundation for a thriving business.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about setting up a car wash facility, don’t hesitate to contact our team for advice. We’re here to help.
Mattias – Car Wash Machines is a subsidiary of Balance Group. which is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development and production of fully automatic car washing machine equipment. The company is located in Shanghai, China. The main automatic car washing machines mainly include: self service car wash machine, conveyor car wash equipment(Tunnel Car Wash Machine), fully automatic gantry car washing machines(Inbay Automatic Car Wash Machines), touchless car washing machines(Contactless Car Wash Machine), and bus truck washing machines. No need for manual duty, computer intelligent control, the car washing machine is divided into brush car wash machine and brushless car washing machine to meet different car washing needs such as gas stations and auto beauty shops.
