<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                            WAINOCO OIL CORPORATION
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                         FOR TENDER OF ALL OUTSTANDING
                         9 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2006
                                IN EXCHANGE FOR
                    9 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2006, SERIES A
          THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                  PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED    , 1998
 
      THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
  NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON      , 1998, UNLESS THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
     TO: CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (THE "EXCHANGE AGENT")
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                           <C>
By Hand or Overnight Delivery:    Facsimile Transmissions:        By Registered or Certified Mail:

 Chase Bank of Texas, National  (Eligible Institutions Only)  Chase Bank of Texas, National Association  
          Association                                                      P. O. Box 2320                 
        One Main Place                 (214) 672-5932                 Dallas, Texas 75221-2320            
 1201 Main Street, 18th Floor                                          Attention: Frank Ivins             
      Dallas, Texas 75202                                                         Registered Bond Events                      
    Attention: Frank Ivins                                                                                
               Registered Bond Events
</TABLE>
 
                            To Confirm by Telephone
                           or for Information Call:
                                (214) 672-5678
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OR TRANSMISSION TO A FACSIMILE
NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE
METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES, IS AT THE RISK OF
THE HOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING
THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the Prospectus,
dated    , 1998 (the "Prospectus") of Wainoco Oil Corporation, a Wyoming
corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions hereto (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute
the Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount
of its 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2006, Series A (the "Exchange Notes") that have
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), pursuant to a Registration Statement of which the Prospectus is a part,
for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due
2006, (the "Old Notes"), of which $70,00,000 aggregate principal amount is
outstanding, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Prospectus. The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on     , 1998, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the
Exchange Offer, in which case the term shall mean the latest date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company. Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein shall have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
 
  This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if (i) certificates
representing Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent
herewith by Holders, (ii) tender of Old Notes is m be made by book-entry
transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository
Trust Company ("DTC"), pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering" in the Prospectus by any
<PAGE>
 
financial institution that is a participant in DTC and whose name appears on a
security position listing as the owner of Old Notes or (iii) tender of Old
Notes is to be made according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents must
be made to the Exchange Agent. Delivery of documents to DTC does not
constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.
 
  The term "Holder" as used herein means any person in whose name Old Notes
are registered on the books of the Company or any other person who has
obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.
 
  All Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old Notes must, prior to
the Expiration Date: (1) complete, sign, and deliver this Letter of
Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, to the Exchange Agent, in person or to
the address set forth above; and (2) tender (and not withdraw) his or her Old
Notes or, if a tender of Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
account maintained by the Exchange Agent at DTC, confirm such book-entry
transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation"), in each case in accordance with the
procedures for tendering described in the Instructions to this Letter of
Transmittal. Holders of Old Notes whose certificates are not immediately
available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates or Book-Entry
Confirmation and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal to
be delivered to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must
tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures"
in the Prospectus. (See Instruction 2.)
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
acceptance for exchange of the Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn
and the issuance of the Exchange Notes will be made promptly following the
Expiration Date. For the purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be
deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered Old Notes when, as and
if the Company has given written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
  The undersigned has completed, executed and delivered this Letter of
Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes must
complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety.
 
  PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY
BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW. THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE NOTICE
OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. SEE INSTRUCTION
12 HEREIN.
 
  HOLDERS WHO WISH TO ACCEPT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES
MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN ITS ENTIRETY AND COMPLY WITH ALL
OF ITS TERMS.
 
  List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the
space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal
amounts should be listed on a separate signed schedule, attached hereto. The
minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of 9 1/8% Senior Notes
due 2006. All other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF 9 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2006
 
BOX I
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED
                 HOLDER(S)*
         (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>
                                              (A)           (B)
                                                         AGGREGATE
                                                      PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                                          TENDERED
                                          CERTIFICATE  (IF LESS THAN
                                           NUMBER(S)       ALL)**
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     ---------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                      TOTAL
                                      PRINCIPAL
                                      AMOUNT OF OLD
                                      NOTES TENDERED
 
 
 *Need not be completed by book-entry holders
**Need not be completed by Holders who wish to tender with respect to all Old
  Notes listed.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
              PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS
 
BOX II                                    BOX III
 
 
 
  SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS           SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
    (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5 AND 6)             (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 4, 5 AND 6) 
                                                                            
   To be completed ONLY if                   To be completed ONLY if
 certificates for Old Notes in a           certificates for Old Notes in a
 principal amount not tendered, or         principal amount not tendered, or
 Exchange Notes issued in exchange         Exchange Notes issued in exchange
 for Old Notes accepted for                for Old Notes accepted for
 exchange, are to be issued in the         exchange, are to be delivered to
 name of someone other than the            someone other than the
 undersigned.                              undersigned.
 
 
 Issue certificates to:                    Issue certificates to:

 Name                                      Name 
      ------------------------------            ------------------------------
           (Please Print)                            (Please Print)

 -----------------------------------       -----------------------------------
           (Please Print)                            (Please Print)

 Address                                   Address 
         ---------------------------               ---------------------------

 -----------------------------------       -----------------------------------
        (Including Zip Code)                      (Including Zip Code)

 -----------------------------------       -----------------------------------
    (Tax Identification or Social             (Tax Identification or Social
          Security Number)                          Security Number)
 
 
 
  IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH
THE CERTIFICATE(S) FOR OLD NOTES OR A CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER OF
SUCH OLD NOTES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR, IF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PROCEDURES ARE TO BE COMPLIED WITH, A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE
RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY DTC TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED
   BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
   Name of Tendering Institution [_]  The Depository Trust Company
 
   Account Number _____________________________________________________________
 
   Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________
 
  Holders whose Old Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver
their Old Notes and all other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent
on or prior to the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." (See Instruction 2.)
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
   GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE
   FOLLOWING:
 
  Name(s) of tendering Holder(s) _____________________________________________
 
  Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery _________________________
 
  Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery ______________________________
 
  Transaction Code Number ____________________________________________________
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
   COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
   THERETO.
 
  Name: ______________________________________________________________________
 
  Address: ___________________________________________________________________
 
  If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
Exchange Notes. If the undesigned is a broker-dealer that will receive
Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering
a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
                    NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
                PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned
hereby tenders to Wainoco Oil Corporation (the "Company") the principal amount
of Old Notes indicated above.
 
  Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal
amount of Old Notes tendered hereby in accordance with this Letter of
Transmittal, the undersigned sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the
order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to the Old Notes
tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints
the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that
the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Company and as Trustee and
Registrar under the Indenture for the Old Notes and the Exchange Notes) with
respect to the tendered Old Notes with full power of substitution (such power
of attorney being deemed an irrevocable power coupled with an interest),
subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i)
deliver certificates for such Old Notes to the Company or transfer ownership
of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by DTC, together, in either
such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or
upon the order of, the Company and (ii) present such Old Notes for transfer on
the books of the Company and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is being made in
reliance upon interpretative advice given by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission to third parties in connection with transactions similar
to the Exchange Offer, so that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than a
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
broker-dealer who purchased such Old Notes directly from the Company for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act or a person that is an "affiliate" of the Company or any
Guarantor within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary
course of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any
person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes.
 
  The undersigned agrees that acceptance of any tendered Old Notes by the
Company and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall
constitute performance in full by the Company of its obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement, (as defined in the Prospectus) and that, upon
the issuance of the Exchange Notes, the Company will have no further
obligations or liabilities thereunder (except in certain limited
circumstances).
 
  The undersigned represents and warrants that (i) the Exchange Notes acquired
pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of
business of the person receiving Exchange Notes (which shall be the
undersigned unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" above) (the "Recipient"), (ii) neither the undersigned nor the
Recipient (if different) is engaged in, intends to engage in or has any
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of such Exchange Notes and (iii) neither the undersigned nor the
Recipient (if different) is an "affiliate" of the Company or any Guarantor as
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. If the undersigned is not a
broker-dealer, the undersigned further represents that it is not engaged in,
and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the
undersigned is a broker-dealer, the undersigned further (x) represents that it
acquired Old Notes for the undersigned's own account as a result of market
making activities or other trading activities, (y) represents that it has not
entered into any arrangement or understanding with the Company or any
"affiliate" of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) to distribute the Exchange Notes to be received in the
Exchange Offer and (z) acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act (for which purposes delivery of the
Prospectus, as the same may be hereafter supplemented or amended, shall be
sufficient) in connection with any resale of Exchange Notes received in the
Exchange Offer. Such a broker-dealer will not be deemed, solely by reason of
such acknowledgment and prospectus delivery, to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
  The undersigned understands and agrees that the Company reserves the right
not to accept tendered Old Notes from any tendering holder if the Company
determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that such acceptance could
result in a violation of applicable securities laws.
 
  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes
tendered hereby and to acquire Exchange Notes issuable upon the exchange of
such tendered Old Notes, and that, when the same are accepted for exchange,
the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear
of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any
adverse claim. The undersigned also warrants that it will, upon request,
execute and deliver any additional documents deemed to be necessary or
desirable by the Exchange Agent or the Company in order to complete the
exchange, assignment and transfer of tendered Old Notes or transfer of
ownership of such Old Notes on the account books maintained by a book-entry
transfer facility.
 
  The undersigned understands and acknowledges that the Company reserves the
right in its sole discretion to purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that
remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering,"
to terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could
differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The undersigned understands that the Company may accept the undersigned's
tender by delivering notice of acceptance, as provided below, to the Exchange
Agent, at which time the undersigned's right to withdraw
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
such tender will terminate. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if
the Company has given oral (which shall be confirmed in writing) or written
notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
  The undersigned understands that the first interest payment following the
Expiration Date will include unpaid interest on the Old Notes accrued through
the date of issuance of the Exchange Notes.
 
  The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the
procedures described under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The undersigned acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is subject to the more
detailed terms set forth in the Prospectus and, in case of any conflict
between the terms of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, the
Prospectus shall prevail.
 
  If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes
will be returned (except as noted below with respect to tenders through DTC)
at the Company's cost and expense, to the undersigned at the address shown
below or at a different address as may be indicated herein under "Special
Delivery Instructions" as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date.
 
  All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death, incapacity or dissolution of the
undersigned, and every obligation of the undersigned under this Letter of
Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigned's heirs, personal
representatives, successors and assigns. This tender may be withdrawn only in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  By acceptance of the Exchange Offer, each broker-dealer that receives
Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer hereby acknowledges and agrees
that upon the receipt of notice by the Company of the happening of any event
which makes any statement in the Prospectus untrue in any material respect or
which requires the making of any changes in the Prospectus in order to make
the statements therein not misleading (which notice the Company agrees to
deliver promptly to such broker-dealer), such broker-dealer will suspend use
of the Prospectus until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus
to correct such misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the
amended or supplemented prospectus to such broker-dealer.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Registration Instructions," please
issue the certificates representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for
the Old Notes accepted for exchange and return any certificates for Old Notes
not tendered or not exchanged, in the name(s) of the undersigned (or, in
either such event in the case of Old Notes tendered by DTC, by credit to the
account at DTC). Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery
Instructions," please send the certificates representing the Exchange Notes
issued in exchange for the Old Notes accepted for exchange and any
certificates for Old Notes not tendered or not exchanged (and accompanying
documents, as appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below the
undersigned's signature(s), unless, in either event, tender is being made
through DTC. In the event that both "Special Registration Instructions" and
"Special Delivery Instructions" are completed, please issue the certificates
representing the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes accepted
for exchange in the name(s) of, and return any certificates for Old Notes not
tendered or not exchanged to, the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned
understands that the Company has no obligations pursuant to the "Special
Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" to transfer any
Old Notes from the name of the registered Holder(s) thereof if the Company
does not accept for exchange any of the Old Notes so tendered.
 
  Holders who wish to tender the Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date, may tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." See Instruction I
regarding the completion of the Letter of Transmittal.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                        PLEASE SIGN HERE WHETHER OR NOT
                OLD NOTES ARE BEING PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY
                    AND WHETHER OR NOT TENDER IS TO BE MADE
                PURSUANT TO THE GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
  This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered holder(s) as
their name(s) appear on the Old Notes or, if tendered by a participant in DTC,
exactly as such participant's name appears on a security listing as the owner
of Old Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by a
properly completed bond power from the registered holder(s), a copy of which
must be transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If Old Notes to which
this Letter of Transmittal relate are held of record by two or more joint
holders, then all such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If
signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-
fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, then such person must (i) set forth his or her full
title below and (ii) unless waived by the Company, submit evidence
satisfactory to the Company of such person's authority so to act. (See
Instruction 4.)
 
X ________________________________________    _________________________________
                                              Date
 
X ________________________________________    _________________________________
    Signature(s) of Holder(s) of              Date
        Authorized Signatory
 
Name(s):__________________________________    Address:  _______________________

        __________________________________              _______________________
                (Please Print)                            (including Zip Code)
 
                           
Capacity: ___________________________     Area Code and Telephone Number: _____
 
Social Security No.: ________________
 
                  PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
BOX IV
 
                    SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (SEE INSTRUCTION 1)
       CERTAIN SIGNATURES MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION
 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (Address (including zip code) and Telephone Number (including area code) of
                                     Firm)

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            (Authorized Signature)

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Printed Name)

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (Title)
 
 Date:
       -----------------------
 
 
                                 INSTRUCTIONS
 
        FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  1. Guarantee of Signatures. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need
not be guaranteed if (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered herewith and such holder(s)
have not completed the box set forth herein entitled "Special Registration
Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or (b) such
Old Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. (See
Instruction 6.) Otherwise, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or a
notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm
of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States (an "Eligible Institution"). All
signatures on bond powers and endorsements on certificates must also be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
  2. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Old Notes. Certificates for
all physically delivered Old Notes or confirmation of any book-entry transfer
to the Exchange Agent at DTC of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, as
well as, in each case (including cases where tender is affected by book-entry
transfer), a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of
Transmittal or facsimile hereof and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date.
 
  The method of delivery of the tendered Old Notes, this Letter of Transmittal
and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and
risk of the Holder and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually
received by the Exchange Agent. If Old Notes are sent by mail, certified or
registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is
recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely
delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Company.
 
  The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Old Notes at the Depositary for purposes of the Exchange Offer within
two business days after receipt of this Prospectus, and any financial
institution that is a participant in the Depositary may make book-entry
delivery of Old Notes by causing
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
the Depositary to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at
the Depositary in accordance with the Depositary's procedures for transfer.
However, although delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry
transfer at the Depositary, the Letter of Transmittal, with any required
signature guarantees or an Agent's Message (as defined below) in connection
with a book-entry transfer and any other required documents, must, in any
case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the address
specified on the cover page of the Letter of Transmittal on or prior to the
Expiration Date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be
complied with.
 
  A Holder may tender Old Notes that are held through the Depositary by
transmitting its acceptance through the Depositary's Automatic Tender Offer
Program, for which the transaction will be eligible, and the Depositary will
then edit and verify the acceptance and send an Agent's Message to the
Exchange Agent for its acceptance. The term "Agent's Message" means a message
transmitted by the Depositary to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and
forming part of the Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that the Depositary
has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in the Depositary
tendering the Old Notes and that such participant has received the Letter of
Transmittal and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal
and the Company may enforce such agreement against such participant.
 
  Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal or any other documents required hereby to the Exchange Agent
prior to the Expiration Date or comply with book-entry transfer procedures on
a timely basis must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus. See "Exchange Offer--
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender
must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) prior to the
Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from the Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by facsimile transmission, overnight courier, mail or hand delivery)
setting forth the name and address of the Holder of the Old Notes, the
certificate number or numbers of such Old Notes and the principal amount of
Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date, this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) together
with the certificate(s) representing the Old Notes and any other required
documents will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange
Agent; and (iii) such properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile hereof), as well as all other documents required by this Letter
of Transmittal and the certificate(s) representing all tendered Old Notes in
proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old
Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC), must be received by the
Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date, all in the manner provided in the Prospectus under the
caption "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." Any Holder who
wishes to tender his Old Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will
be sent to Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance of tendered Old Notes, and withdrawal of tendered Old
Notes will be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding. All tendering holders, by execution
of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to
receive notice of the acceptance of the Old Notes for exchange. The Company
reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly
tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which would, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the
right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old
Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal)
shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within
such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, nor shall any
of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of
Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
have been cured to the Company's satisfaction or waived. Any Old Notes
received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which
the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned
by the Exchange Agent to the tendering Holders pursuant to the Company's
determination, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of Transmittal as soon
as practicable following the Expiration Date. The Exchange Agent has no
fiduciary duties to the Holders with respect to the Exchange Offer and is
acting solely on the basis of directions of the Company.
 
  3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided is inadequate, the certificate
numbers and/or the number of Old Notes should be listed on a separate signed
schedule attached hereto.
 
  4. Tender by Holder. Only a Holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in
the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial owner of Old Notes who is not the
registered Holder and who wishes to tender should arrange with such registered
holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on such beneficial
owner's behalf or must, prior to completing and executing this Letter of
Transmittal and delivering his Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements
to register ownership of the Old Notes in such beneficial owner's name or
obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or properly
endorsed certificates representing such Old Notes.
 
  5. Partial Tenders; Withdrawals. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only
in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal amount of
any Old Notes is tendered, the tendering Holder should fill in the principal
amount tendered in the third column of the box entitled "Description of 9 1/8%
Senior Notes due 2006" above. The entire principal amount of any Old Notes
delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes is not
tendered, then Old Notes for the principal amount of Old Notes not tendered
and a certificate or certificates representing Exchange Notes issued in
exchange for any Old Notes accepted will be sent to the Holder at his or her
registered address, unless a different address is provided in the "Special
Delivery Instructions" box above on this Letter of Transmittal or unless
tender is made through DTC, promptly after the Old Notes are accepted for
exchange.
 
  Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn
at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. To
withdraw a tender of Old Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at
its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of
the person having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"),
(ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number
or numbers and principal amount of such Old Notes, or, in the case of Old
Notes transferred by book-entry transfer the name and number of the account at
DTC to be credited), (iii) be signed by the Depositor in the same manner as
the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes
were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied
by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Registrar, with respect to the
Old Notes, register the transfer of such Old Notes into the name of the person
withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any such Old Notes
are to be registered, if different from that of the Depositor. All questions
as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such
notices will be determined by the Company, whose determination shall be final
and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to
have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange
Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn
are validly retendered. Any Old Notes which have been tendered but which are
not accepted for exchange by the Company will be returned to the Holder
thereof without cost to such Holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal,
rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn
Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described in
the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering" at any
time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
  6. Signatures on the Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements. If
this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with
the name(s) as written on the face of the Old Note without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
  If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  If a number of Old Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will
be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many copies of this Letter of
Transmittal as there are different registrations of Old Notes.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by the
registered Holder or Holders (which term, for the Purposes described herein,
shall include a book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security
listing as the owner of the Old Notes) of Old Notes tendered and the
certificate or certificates for Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor is
to be issued (or any untendered principal amount of Old Notes to be reissued)
to the registered Holder, then such Holder need not and should not endorse any
tendered Old Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In any other case, such
Holder must either properly endorse the Old Notes tendered or transmit a
properly completed separate bond power with this Letter of Transmittal with
the signatures on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) is signed by a person
other than the registered Holder or Holders of any Old Notes listed, such Old
Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers in each case
signed as the name of the registered Holder or Holders appears on the Old
Notes.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof) or any Old Notes or bond
powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, or officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and
unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their
authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  Endorsements on Old Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this
Instruction 6 must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
  7. Special Registration and Delivery Instructions. Tendering Holders should
indicate, in the applicable box or boxes, the name and address to which
Exchange Notes or substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or
not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name
and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of
issuance in a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security
number of the person named must also be indicated.
 
  8. Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding and Substitute Form W-9. Under the
federal income tax laws, payments that may be made by the Company on account
of Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to
backup withholding at the rate of 31%. In order to avoid such backup
withholding, each tendering holder should complete and sign the Substitute
Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal and either (a) provide the
correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and certify, under penalties of
perjury, that the TIN provided is correct and that (i) the holder has not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that the holder is
subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or
dividends or (ii) the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer
subject to backup withholding; or (b) provide an adequate basis for exemption.
If the tendering holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one, or
intends to apply for one in the near future, such holder should write "Applied
For" in the space provided for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9,
sign and date the Substitute Form W-9 and sign the Certificate of Payee
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number. If "Applied For" is written in Part
1, the Company (or the Paying Agent under the Indenture governing the Exchange
Notes) shall retain 31% of payments made to the tendering holder during the
sixty-day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9. If the Holder
furnishes the Exchange Agent or the Company with its TIN within sixty days
after the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the Company (or the Paying Agent)
shall remit such amounts retained during the sixty-day period to the Holder
and no further amounts shall be retained or withheld from payments made to the
Holder thereafter. If, however, the Holder has not provided the Exchange Agent
or the Company with its TIN within such sixty-day period, the Company (or the
Paying Agent) shall remit such previously retained amounts to the IRS as
backup
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
withholding. In general, if a Holder is an individual, the TIN is the Social
Security number of such individual. If the Exchange Agent or the Company are
not provided with the correct TIN, the Holder may be subject to a $50 penalty
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Certain Holders (including, among
others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to
these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign
individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, such Holder must submit a
statement (generally, IRS Form W-8), signed under penalties of perjury,
attesting to that individual's exempt status. Such statements can be obtained
from the Exchange Agent. For further information concerning backup withholding
and instructions for completing the Substitute Form W-9 (including how to
obtain a taxpayer identification number if you do not have one and how to
complete the Substitute Form W-9 if Old Notes are registered in more than one
name), consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
 
  Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Old
Notes to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Company (or the
Paying Agent) to withhold 31% of the amount of any payments made on account of
the Exchange Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional federal income
tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
 
  9. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, certificates representing Exchange Notes or Old Notes for principal
amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are
to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder
of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in
the name of a person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal,
or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer
taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other persons) will
be payable by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of
such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this Letter of
Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such
tendering Holder. See the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Solicitation
of Tenders; Fees and Expenses."
 
  Except as provided in this Instruction 9, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Notes listed in this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
  10. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to amend, waive or modify specified conditions in the Exchange
Offer in the case of any Old Notes tendered.
 
  11. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Old Notes. Any tendering Holder
whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact
the Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions.
 
  12. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Requests for assistance
and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of
Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address specified in
the Prospectus. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange
Offer.
 
                         (DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE BELOW)
 
  CERTIFICATE SURRENDERED     OLD NOTES TENDERED        OLD NOTES ACCEPTED
_________________________  _________________________  _________________________

_________________________  _________________________  _________________________

Date Received ___________  Accepted by _____________  Checked by ______________

Delivery Prepared by ____  Checked by ______________  Date ____________________
 
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                           IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
 
  Under federal income tax laws, a Holder whose tendered Old Notes are
accepted for payment is required to provide the Exchange Agent (as payer) with
such Holder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish
a basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such Holder is an
individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. If the Exchange
Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by
the Internal Revenue Service, and payments made pursuant to the Exchange Offer
may be subject to backup withholding.
 
  Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute
Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to
the Exchange Agent a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8,
signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. A
Form W-8 can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed "Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9"
for additional instructions.
 
  If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold
31% of any payments made to the Holder or other payee. Backup withholding is
not an additional federal income tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability
of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
 
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
  To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to the Exchange
Offer, the Holder is required to provide the Exchange Agent with either: (i)
the Holder's correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN
provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a
TIN) and that (A) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that the Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of
failure to report all interest or dividends or (B) the internal Revenue
Service has notified the Holder that the Holder is no longer subject to backup
withholding or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption.
 
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered Holder of
the Old Notes. If the Old Notes are held in more than one name or are held not
in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for
additional guidance on which number to report.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
         CERTIFICATION OF PAYEE AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
   I certify, under penalties of perjury, that a Taxpayer Identification
 Number has not been issued to me, and that I mailed or delivered an
 application to receive a Taxpayer Identification Number to the appropriate
 Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office (or
 I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future). I understand
 that if I do not provide a Taxpayer Identification Number to the payer, 31%
 of all payments made to me on account of the Exchange Notes shall be
 retained until I provide a Taxpayer Identification Number to the payer and
 that, if I do not provide my Taxpayer Identification Number within sixty
 days, such retained amounts shall be remitted to the Internal Revenue
 Service as backup withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me
 thereafter will be withheld and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service
 until I provide a Taxpayer Identification Number.
 
 SIGNATURE ________________________________________ DATE _______________________
 
 NOTE:   FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
         WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU ON ACCOUNT OF THE
         EXCHANGE NOTES. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
         CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM
         W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                   TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 5)
 
                     PAYER'S NAME: WAINOCO OIL CORPORATION
 
                        PART I--TAXPAYER
                        IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
 
                                                           SOCIAL SECURITY
 SUBSTITUTE             ENTER YOUR TIN IN THE                   NUMBER
 FORM W-9               APPROPRIATE BOX. FOR            ----------------------
                        INDIVIDUALS, THIS IS YOUR                 OR
 DEPARTMENT OF THE      SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
 TREASURY               (SSN). FOR SOLE PROPRIETORS,           EMPLOYER      
 INTERNAL REVENUE       SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 
 SERVICE                ENCLOSED GUIDELINES. FOR
                        OTHER ENTITIES, IT IS YOUR      ----------------------
 REQUEST FOR            EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION
 TAXPAYER               NUMBER (EIN). IF YOU DO NOT
 IDENTIFICATION         HAVE A NUMBER, SEE HOW TO
 NUMBER AND             GET A TIN IN THE ENCLOSED
 CERTIFICATION          GUIDELINES.                     
                  
                        -------------------------------------------------------

                        NOTE: IF THE ACCOUNT IS IN
                        MORE THAN ONE NAME, SEE THE
                        CHART ON PAGE 2 OF THE
                        ENCLOSED GUIDELINES ON WHOSE
                        NUMBER TO ENTER.
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                        PART II--FOR PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHOLDING
                         (See Part II instructions in the enclosed
                        Guidelines.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 PART III--CERTIFICATION--UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:
 
 (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification
     Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
 
 (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from
     backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal
     Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a
     result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS
     has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
 
 
 
 Signature ________________________________________ Date ____________ , 1998
 
 
 
  CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS.--You must cross out item 2 above if you have
been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding
because of under reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. For real
estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, the
acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt,
contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally
payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the
Certification, but you must provide your correct TIN.
 
 
                                      16