The short answer
This is a pre-authorization hold from a Murphy USA gas station (often located in Walmart parking lots). It is a temporary pending transaction that verifies you have enough funds to purchase a full tank of gas.
Why Murphy USA holds your funds
Because fuel is dispensed before the exact total is known, pay-at-the-pump card terminals at Murphy USA stations request a standard authorization hold (often between $75 and $150). This verifies your debit or credit card is valid and can cover the cost.
Murphy USA does not actually keep this money. As soon as you finish pumping, the station sends the final receipt amount to your bank. However, it is entirely up to your bank's policies regarding how long they keep the temporary hold active on your account.
How to handle pending gas holds
These holds can be frustrating, especially if they cause your checking account to dip into the negative and incur overdraft fees.
- Wait for the charge to clear The hold is legally required to fall off once the final transaction posts. This process typically takes 1 to 3 business days.
- Call your bank's support line If the hold persists longer than 3 business days, call your bank (not Murphy USA). Only your financial institution can manually release a pending authorization.
- Avoid holds by paying the cashier If you hand your card to the Murphy USA attendant inside the kiosk and specify a dollar amount (e.g., $40 on pump 3), the system will only authorize exactly $40.
Independent reference — not affiliated with Murphy USA Inc.. Billing names and policies change; verify with the merchant or your bank before acting.
Verified sources
Every claim on this page is checked against official sources — open them to confirm before you call your bank.
- Murphy USA Support https://www.murphyusa.com
- FTC: Fair Credit Billing Act https://consumer.ftc.gov
Reviewed Aug 31, 2026 · high · About UnknownCharges