Where is the cheapest place to refill a propane tank?

Costco and BJ's are typically cheapest at $2.80-$3.00/gallon (about $13-15 for a 20lb tank), but require a warehouse membership. U-Haul's pay-at-the-pump network at 1,400+ locations offers $3.00-$4.00/gallon with no membership required. Tractor Supply charges $3.79-$4.15/gallon at most locations. Skip Blue Rhino and AmeriGas exchange for cost savings unless you don't own a tank.

How much does a 20lb propane tank hold?

A 20lb propane tank holds about 4.7 gallons (20 lb) of propane when properly filled. The 20 lb rating already reflects the 80% volumetric safety limit - the tank's liquid capacity is roughly 5.9 gallons, and the fill valve stops at 80% of that. Exchange tanks are typically pre-filled to only 15lb (about 3.5 gallons) - not the full 20lb. When you refill at a refill station, you get the full 20 lb.

Can I refill a propane tank that is over 12 years old?

No. DOT regulations require propane tank recertification 12 years after the manufacture date (stamped on the tank collar), then every 5 years after that. Refill stations will refuse an expired tank. Recertification costs $40-60, or you can replace a 20lb tank for $30-50 at most hardware stores.

What is the price per gallon for a propane refill in 2026?

$3.00-$4.50 per gallon at most retailers as of 2026. Costco is lowest at $2.80-$3.00/gallon. U-Haul runs $3.00-$4.00/gallon. Tractor Supply charges $3.79-$4.15/gallon. Home Depot and Lowe's primarily offer Blue Rhino or AmeriGas exchange at the equivalent of $5-7/gallon when you account for the 15lb short-fill. The EIA national residential reference price is $2.67/gallon (latest SHOPP weekly).

How much does it cost to fill a 30lb propane tank?

A 30lb propane tank typically costs $22-30 to refill in 2026. A full 30lb fill is about 7.1 gallons of propane, so at $3.50/gallon average retail a refill from near-empty runs about $25. Tractor Supply and U-Haul both accept 30lb tanks. Exchange networks generally don't carry 30lb tanks, making refill the only option for this size.

Last verified 2026

Propane Tank Refill Cost 2026: $15-20 at Refill Stations, $20-25 at Exchange

Q: Is it cheaper to refill or exchange a propane tank?

Refill is cheaper by $5-10 per tank AND you get 33% more propane. Exchange tanks are typically short-filled to 15lb, not the full 20lb. Refill at $17 for 20lb of propane works out to $0.85/lb. Exchange at $22 for 15lb works out to $1.47/lb - that's 73% more per pound. Only exchange when you don't own a tank, your tank is expired, or you need it urgently from a gas station.

The honest, no-bias answer. Every major retailer - Costco, Tractor Supply, U-Haul, Blue Rhino - with real 2026 prices side by side. Refill vs exchange math worked out so you don't have to.

20lb propane tank on a retail counter at a hardware store

$14

avg. 20lb refill

Save $5-10 vs exchange

Find a Refill Station Full Math Breakdown

$19

20 lb refill at Costco, Northeast - Updated 2026

Tank Size

Your Region

Retailer

Cheapest Refill

$19

Costco

Exchange Cost

$32

Blue Rhino

Refill Saves

42%

vs exchange

Full Calculator with Compare →

2026 Propane Refill Price Matrix

All major US propane retailers compared. Prices verified 2026. Exchange tanks are short-filled to 15lb.

Retailer	Method	$/Gallon	20lb Tank	Locations	Notes
CostcoBest Value	Refill	$2.80-$3.00	$13-15	Warehouse fuel stations	Cheapest - requires membership
BJ's Wholesale	Refill	~$2.90-$3.10	$13-15	Select BJ's clubs	Membership required, East Coast heavy
U-HaulMost Locations	Refill	$3.00-$4.00	$14-19	1,400+ pay-at-pump	No membership, most accessible
Tractor Supply	Refill	$3.79-$4.15	$17-19	2,200+ stores	By-the-gallon billing, no minimum
Ace Hardware	Refill	$3.80-$4.50	$18-21	Select locations	Varies by franchise
Home Depot	Exchange	~$5.66 equiv	~$19.98 (15lb fill)	Most stores	Blue Rhino exchange - 15lb only
Lowe's	Exchange	~$5.66 equiv	~$20 (15lb fill)	Most stores	Blue Rhino/AmeriGas exchange
Blue Rhino	Exchange	~$6.25-$7.10 equiv	$22-25 (15lb fill)	60,000+ retail locations	15lb short-fill, not 20lb
AmeriGas	Exchange	~$6.25-$7.10 equiv	$22-25 (15lb fill)	Major grocery/hardware	15lb short-fill, not 20lb

Sources: EIA SHOPP residential propane average plus retailer location reports, 2026. Why exchange is more expensive.

73% MORE PER POUND- that's how much exchange costs vs refill

Refill vs Exchange: The 30-Second Math

Exchange costs 73% more per pound of propane. Here's the exact breakdown.

$0.85/lb

Refill

$1.47/lb

Exchange

RefillBest Deal

~$17

typical 20lb refill - $0.85/lb

Propane delivered20lb (full tank)

Gallons filled~4.7 gal

Cost per lb$0.85/lb

Cost per gallon~$3.60

Exchange73% more/lb

~$22

typical 20lb exchange - $1.47/lb

Propane delivered15lb (short-fill)

Gallons filled3.53 gal

Cost per lb$1.47/lb

Cost per gallon~$6.23

The 33% rule: When you refill, you take home 33% more propane for less money. Exchange at $22 for 15lb vs refill at $17 for 20lb - that's an extra 5 pounds of propane for $5 less. Full breakdown with all the math.

Refill Cost by Tank Size (2026)

20 lb Tank

$15-20

4.7 gal of propane

BBQ grills, portable heaters

See prices →

30 lb Tank

$22-30

7.1 gal of propane

RV tanks, larger heaters

See prices →

40 lb Tank

$30-40

$70-100

23.6 gal of propane

Cabin heat, generators

See prices →

Stationary home tanks (delivery-filled):100 gal 250 gal 500 gal 1,000 gal

Tank Expiry Alert

Tank over 12 years old? It cannot be refilled until recertified (DOT rule). Check the manufacture date stamped on the tank collar. Recertification costs $40-60 - or replace for $30-50. Full guide here.

Propane Refill Prices by Region (2026)

Northeast pays 46% above South. Hover a state. Click a region to highlight. Full state-by-state breakdown.

Hover a state to see price. Click a region above to highlight.

Cheapest (TX $2.38)

Priciest (HI $4.25)

Source: EIA Residential Propane Price by State, 2026. Full state breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to refill a 20lb propane tank?⌄

$15-20 at dedicated refill stations in 2026. Costco charges $13-15, Tractor Supply $17-20, U-Haul $14-19, and BJ's $13-15. Exchange networks like Blue Rhino and AmeriGas charge $20-25 but only fill the tank to 15lb, not the full 20lb. You pay about 73% more per pound of propane at exchange vs refill stations.

Is it cheaper to refill or exchange a propane tank?⌄

Refill is significantly cheaper. Exchange at $22 for 15lb works out to $1.47/lb of propane. Refill at $17 for a full 20lb works out to $0.85/lb - that's 73% cheaper per pound, plus you get 33% more propane. The only times exchange is worth it: you don't own a tank, your tank is expired, or you need propane urgently from a gas station at odd hours.

Where is the cheapest place to refill propane?⌄

Costco and BJ's Wholesale at $2.80-$3.10/gallon are typically cheapest, requiring a warehouse membership. U-Haul offers $3.00-$4.00/gallon at 1,400+ pay-at-the-pump locations nationwide with no membership required. Tractor Supply charges $3.79-$4.15/gallon. Order to check: (1) Costco or BJ's if you have a membership, (2) U-Haul for convenience and scale, (3) Tractor Supply for rural areas.

What size propane tank do I have for my BBQ grill?⌄

Standard BBQ grills use a 20lb propane tank. Properly filled, it holds 20 lb of propane (about 4.7 gallons) - the 20 lb rating already reflects the 80% volumetric safety limit. A 20lb tank provides roughly 18-20 hours of cooking time on a medium-sized grill. Refill cost is $15-20 at most stations.

Does Costco refill propane tanks?⌄

Yes, most Costco warehouses offer propane refill at the fuel station area, but availability varies by location. Call ahead before making a special trip. Costco's 2026 rate is approximately $2.80-$3.00/gallon, making a 20lb tank refill $13-15 - one of the best prices available. An active Costco membership ($65/year for Gold Star) is required.

How old can a propane tank be before it needs recertification?⌄

DOT regulations require recertification 12 years after the manufacture date, then every 5 years after that. The manufacture date is stamped on the tank collar (e.g. '04 18' means April 2018, expiring April 2030). Refill stations will refuse expired tanks. Recertification costs $40-60 at AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, or select U-Haul locations. Alternatively, a new 20lb tank costs $30-50 at most hardware stores.

How much propane does a 30lb tank hold and what does it cost to refill?⌄

A 30lb propane tank holds 30 lb of propane (about 7.1 gallons) when properly filled - the lb rating already accounts for the 80% volumetric safety limit. Refill cost in 2026: $22-30 depending on retailer and region. Tractor Supply and U-Haul both accept 30lb tanks. Exchange networks generally don't carry 30lb tanks, so refill is the primary option for this size.

What is a good per-gallon price for propane refill in 2026?⌄

Anything under $3.50/gallon is excellent for retail propane refill in 2026. The EIA national residential average is approximately $2.67/gallon (latest SHOPP weekly), but retail BBQ-tank refill markup runs $3.00-$4.50 at most stations. Costco at $2.80-$3.00/gallon is the benchmark. Over $5.00/gallon equivalent (as with exchange networks) means you're paying a convenience premium.

How We Got These Numbers

Warehouse-club per-gallon prices (Costco, BJ's) are pegged to the latest EIA SHOPP residential propane average plus a typical club markup, so they refresh automatically as EIA updates. Tractor Supply, U-Haul, and Ace Hardware rates are estimates compiled from location reports and price-tracking guides; none of these retailers publishes a single national propane rate, so confirm with your local store before travel. Exchange network prices (Blue Rhino, AmeriGas) reflect typical point-of-sale pricing and the 15lb short-fill. The EIA national residential propane reference price ($2.67/gallon, latest SHOPP weekly) is the regional comparison baseline.

Regional price spreads use EIA Propane Residential Price by State data. The 15lb short-fill convention for exchange tanks is documented in Blue Rhino and AmeriGas published tank specifications. All prices should be confirmed with your local retailer before travel - propane prices vary by location and change over time.

EIA Residential Propane Prices (2026)Blue Rhino Product SpecificationsAmeriGas Exchange Program TermsTractor Supply Refill Rates (location reports)U-Haul Propane Center Network DataCostco Fuel Station Pricing

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