How Much Does it Cost to Refill a Propane Tank?
Many people use propane for gas grill when cooking, heating their homes, and even as a fuel source. There are two ways to get more of it – refill the tank or exchange it with another one. While there are pros and cons in both methods, many people opt to refill propane tanks because they want to save on costs while still having enough gas left over when needed most.
The price of propane per gallon will depend on what size of the tank you have but that is not all – your retailer can also affect the cost to fill a propane tank.
How much does it cost to refill a propane tank?
Usually, refilling a 10-pound tank costs anywhere between $10 and $25 per tank. On the other hand, a 20-pound tank will cost about $16 to $35 for each refill. Our research has given us an insight into the prices retailers charge all around the US, and you can find this in the table below.
The cost of a 100-pound tank is not cheap. It can start around $65 and go up to as much as $80 depending on the market conditions. A 500-gallon propane tank will also depend on many factors, but most of the time it’ll be around 2 dollars per gallon plus the delivery fee.
You might also like our article about the cost of acetylene tank refilling.
The price of a tank of propane refill varies from store to store and brand.
Amerigas, for example, usually charges between $22-$23 plus tax fees at their station, while Tractor Supply Plus only charges around $17 plus tax on average.
| Retailer | Average Propane Tank Refill/Exchange (20 lb tank) |
|---|---|
| Costco | $10 |
| Circle K Gas Station | $21 |
| Home Depot | $25 |
| Gas Station (Shell, Mobil) | $28 |
| Lowe’s | $23 |
| Kroger | $20 |
| Sam’s Club | $14 |
| Menards | $2~ per gallon of propane |
| Tractor Supply Plus | $2.35 per gallon of propane |
| True Value | $25 |
| U-Haul | $17 |
| Walgreen’s | $23 |
| Walmart | $24 |
Keep in mind that the price of propane may vary depending on your geographical location, but these are general guidelines.
Details on refilling a propane tank
At most retailers, tanks are displayed in a cage near the front of the store. Some will have self-serve kiosks for tank exchanging or purchasing new tanks while others require an associate to help you exchange or purchase one. At Tractor Supply Plus, they allow customers to keep their tank and just charge them for what propane was purchased on-site – no need to swap it out.
If you purchase a propane tank from one of the big, well-known retailers, they will often offer a 30-day guarantee. If any problems persist during this time such as leaks, then you can bring the tank back and either exchange your propane tank or get your money refunded.
Important things to keep in mind
There are some things that you should never try to do on your own, like refilling your tank. As with most things, there are tutorials online showing you how to fill a propane tank, but this is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to you getting hurt if done incorrectly. So please just avoid the $15 savings by letting professionals from a refill station handle it for you.
If you’re looking into exchanging your tank, remember that most of the time they don’t come full-filled with 20-pound propane like what would be expecting. According to Blue Rhino’s website, even their tanks only contain 15 pounds of gas, which equals to around 3 gallons. Home Depot on the other hand claims that theirs have an 80% capacity.
Any way to spend less?
Refilling your propane tank is always the cheapest option, and gas stations will often have this service. However, if you can find local propane suppliers that also offer propane refills on the spot for the amount of gas you truly need, it’ll be more economical than exchanging a tank for a full one. The Elivermore website tells us that reusing propane instead of buying new every time helps you save money on propane because instead of getting the maximum amount of 15 pounds when you get a new tank, you can fill up your old one at full capacity.
A propane tank gauge is a tool used to calculate how much propane is left in the tank. You could also bring it with you when buying gas so you know exactly how much amount of propane you actually got with your refill.
Being organized and strategic before you go shopping can help with your budget and save money on your propane. You may need to purchase something as soon as possible, but don’t forget: Coupons are a lifesaver. Lowe’s or Home Depot have coupons in their weekly ads that will save you some cash when refilling a tank. Blue Rhino is also known for having great deals on its website (there might even be one available now).
Cost of propane tank refill over the last 5 years
Here’s a combined markdown table that includes both the average annual propane prices and the estimated costs to refill a typical residential 120-gallon propane tank for the past 5 years:
| Year | Average Price per Gallon | Cost per Tank Refill |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $2.30 | $55 |
| 2019 | $2.42 | $60 |
| 2020 | $1.93 | $45 |
| 2021 | $2.25 | $55 |
| 2022 | $2.49 | $60 |
| 2023 (through February) | $2.77 | $65 |
Here are some key factors that have influenced the prices for propane over the past 5 years:
- Crude oil prices – The current propane is derived from crude oil and natural gas, so oil price swings directly impact propane costs. Oil peaked in 2022, driving record-large propane prices.
- Winter weather – Colder winters increase heating demand, straining supply and causing seasonal price spikes. 2021 and 2022 saw cold snaps.
- Global supply disruptions – OPEC disagreements, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Middle East conflicts squeezed global oil and gas supply during 2018-2022.
- Domestic production rates – U.S. propane output was high in 2020, contributing to low prices. But production declined in 2021.
- Inventory and storage levels – Low propane reserves and tight storage capacity during high-demand periods further raised prices.
- Transportation costs – Fuel price surges in 2022 made transporting propane from Gulf Coast refiners to other areas more expensive.
- Retail competition – Discounts among retailers attempting to secure customer loyalty contracts also influenced retail pricing.
Propane costs have been driven by a mix of global factors affecting oil supply and regional/seasonal issues impacting heating fuel demand and inventory levels over the past 5 years.
- How Much Does a Seafood Boil Cost? - September 16, 2023
- How Much Does a Marbella Country Club Membership Cost? - September 15, 2023
- How Much Does a Driveway Easement Cost? - September 14, 2023
Thank you for explaining that you shouldn’t refill your propane tank on your own. I’ve been wondering if I should find a place where I can refill my propane tank and assumed I would do it myself. I’ll be sure to start looking for someone that can do it for me.