Finding parts for your vehicle often means planning a trip to your local auto parts store, and knowing their operating hours helps you avoid a wasted trip. Advance Auto Parts operates thousands of locations across the United States, but store hours can vary significantly based on location, day of the week, and local regulations.
This guide explains typical closing times for Advance Auto Parts stores, how to find exact hours for your nearest location, and what affects their schedule throughout the week and year.
What Time Does Advance Auto Parts Typically Close?
Most Advance Auto Parts stores close between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, with earlier closing times on Sundays, typically between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. However, exact closing times vary by individual location, and some stores may open earlier or close later depending on customer demand, local competition, and staffing availability in their area.
Common Store Hours Across Different Locations
Advance Auto Parts does not enforce a single nationwide closing time. Store managers adjust hours based on traffic patterns, customer needs, and regional preferences.
Stores in urban areas with high vehicle repair activity often stay open until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM on weeknights. Rural or small-town locations may close earlier, sometimes as early as 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM, especially if customer volume drops off in the evening hours.
Weekday Closing Times
Monday through Friday, most Advance Auto Parts locations close between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Stores near busy commercial districts or repair shops frequently maintain the later closing time to serve professional mechanics finishing jobs after standard business hours.
If you work on your vehicle after your own workday ends, calling ahead confirms whether your local store will still be open when you arrive.
Saturday Hours
Saturdays typically mirror weekday hours at most locations, with closing times between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Weekend traffic often increases as DIY customers tackle maintenance and repair projects, so many stores maintain extended Saturday hours to capture that demand.
Some locations in areas with lower weekend traffic may close an hour earlier than their weekday schedule.
Sunday Closing Times
Sunday hours are generally shorter, with most Advance Auto Parts stores closing between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Many locations open later on Sunday mornings as well, often starting at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM rather than the typical 7:00 AM or 7:30 AM weekday opening.
Blue laws and local ordinances in some regions may restrict Sunday operating hours or require earlier closing times, particularly in certain Southern and Northeastern states.
How to Find Exact Closing Times for Your Store
Because store hours vary by location, verifying the specific closing time for your nearest Advance Auto Parts prevents unnecessary trips and ensures you have enough time to browse parts, ask questions, or get free services like battery testing.
Using the Store Locator
The Advance Auto Parts website includes a store locator tool that shows hours for each location. Enter your ZIP code or city name, select the store nearest you, and review the hours listed for each day of the week.
The online store locator also displays phone numbers, services available at that location, and whether the store offers curbside pickup or same-day delivery.
Calling the Store Directly
Phoning your local Advance Auto Parts provides the most current information, especially during holidays or when temporary schedule changes occur. Store employees can confirm closing time, tell you whether a specific part is in stock, and let you know if any services like loaner tools or battery installation are available before closing.
If you need a part for an urgent repair, calling ahead also allows you to ask staff to set the item aside so you can pick it up quickly.
Mobile App and Google Search
The Advance Auto Parts mobile app displays store hours and allows you to check inventory, place orders for pickup, and earn rewards. Google search results for “Advance Auto Parts near me” typically show hours pulled from Google Business listings, though these may occasionally be outdated if a store recently changed its schedule.
Always verify hours directly if you plan to arrive within an hour of closing time or on a holiday.
Holiday Schedule Changes
Most Advance Auto Parts stores adjust their hours on major holidays, and some close entirely on certain days. These changes can affect your ability to get parts for emergency repairs or finish a project you started during a long weekend.
Major Holidays with Reduced Hours
Stores typically close early on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, often shutting down by mid-afternoon or early evening. Many locations also reduce hours on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, though closing times on these holidays vary more widely.
Some stores maintain regular hours on Easter Sunday, while others close or operate reduced schedules depending on local demand and ownership structure.
Days When Stores May Be Closed
Most Advance Auto Parts locations close completely on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A smaller number also close on Easter Sunday, particularly in regions where Sunday blue laws apply or where customer traffic historically drops to near zero.
If you need parts during a holiday period, check hours at least a day in advance and consider picking up commonly needed items like oil, filters, or fuses before the holiday arrives.
What Affects Store Closing Times
Several factors influence why one Advance Auto Parts location might close at 8:00 PM while another five miles away stays open until 10:00 PM. Understanding these variables helps you predict likely hours when planning a visit to an unfamiliar store.
Local Customer Demand
Stores adjust hours based on traffic patterns. Locations near heavy industrial areas, fleet maintenance facilities, or concentrations of repair shops often stay open later to serve professional technicians who work past typical business hours.
Residential areas with fewer commercial vehicles may see lower evening traffic, leading to earlier closing times that reduce labor costs without significantly affecting customer service.
Competition and Market Conditions
Stores operating near competing auto parts retailers like AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, or NAPA often match or exceed competitor hours to capture customers comparing prices or seeking a part not available elsewhere. In markets with less competition, stores may close earlier without losing significant business.
Franchise and independently operated Advance Auto Parts locations may set hours differently than corporate-owned stores based on ownership preferences and local business conditions.
Staffing and Operational Costs
Labor availability affects store hours, particularly in tight job markets or areas with higher minimum wages. Stores may reduce evening hours if customer volume during the final hour of operation does not justify the cost of keeping employees on the clock.
Seasonal fluctuations also play a role, with some stores extending hours during peak repair seasons in spring and fall when customers perform more maintenance and vehicle projects.
Planning Your Visit Before Closing Time
Arriving at an auto parts store shortly before closing gives you less time to browse, compare products, ask detailed questions, or take advantage of free services. Planning your visit with adequate time improves your experience and reduces stress.
Allow Time for Part Lookups
Finding the correct part for your specific vehicle requires matching the year, make, model, engine size, and sometimes trim level or drivetrain. If you arrive fifteen minutes before closing, staff may not have enough time to verify compatibility, check inventory at nearby stores, or order a part for next-day pickup.
Arrive at least thirty minutes before closing if you need help identifying the right part or if your vehicle has uncommon specifications that require extra research.
Free Services Take Time
Many Advance Auto Parts locations offer free battery testing, wiper blade installation, battery installation, and diagnostic code reading. These services typically take five to fifteen minutes depending on vehicle access and whether other customers are waiting.
If you need these services, arrive at least forty-five minutes before closing to ensure staff can complete the work without rushing. Stores may decline to start a service if closing time is too close.
Placing Orders for Next-Day Pickup
If you discover the store does not stock your part or will close before you arrive, many locations accept online orders for next-day pickup. The website and mobile app let you verify inventory, pay in advance, and choose a pickup time that fits your schedule.
Some stores also transfer parts from nearby locations, though this typically requires ordering earlier in the day to allow time for delivery before closing.
Alternative Options When Stores Are Closed
If you need parts outside regular store hours for an emergency repair or to finish a time-sensitive project, several alternatives may help you get what you need without waiting until morning.
Online Ordering with Home Delivery
Advance Auto Parts offers home delivery for online orders, with shipping times ranging from same-day to several business days depending on your location and the part’s availability. Same-day delivery typically requires ordering early in the day and may incur additional fees.
Standard shipping is often free for orders above a minimum threshold, though emergency repairs usually cannot wait for multi-day delivery.
Competitor Hours
Other auto parts chains may have different closing times in your area. AutoZone and O’Reilly Auto Parts locations often operate until 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM, and some stores in major metro areas stay open until midnight or operate 24 hours.
Calling competing stores helps you locate open retailers when your preferred location has already closed.
24-Hour Retailers with Limited Auto Sections
Large retailers like Walmart carry basic automotive supplies including oil, filters, wiper blades, antifreeze, fuses, and bulbs. While selection is far smaller than a dedicated auto parts store, these items cover many common maintenance tasks and minor repairs.
Availability and selection vary by store, and you will not find specialized components, performance parts, or professional-grade tools at general merchandise retailers.
Why Knowing Store Hours Matters for Vehicle Maintenance
Effective vehicle maintenance and repair depends on having the right parts when you need them. Running out of time because you did not verify store hours can delay critical repairs, leave you stranded with a non-running vehicle, or force you to pay premium prices for rushed delivery.
Understanding typical Advance Auto Parts closing times and verifying hours for your specific location lets you plan maintenance projects, complete emergency repairs, and avoid the frustration of arriving at a locked door. Whether you need brake pads for a weekend job, a battery for a car that will not start, or fluids for routine service, confirming hours before you leave home saves time and keeps your vehicle running safely.
Check closing times using the store locator, phone, or mobile app, and give yourself enough time to get help from knowledgeable staff and take advantage of free testing and installation services that make DIY maintenance easier.
We hope this guide helps you plan your next auto parts visit with confidence and keeps your vehicle projects on schedule.