How Much Does a Bag of Ice Cost?

Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

A lot of people find that their ice cube trays are far from enough when it comes to the amount of ice they need. This is why a lot of local stores will have bags of ice readily available for you to purchase.

How much does a bag of ice cost?

The average bag of ice costs somewhere between just $1 per 10-pound bag and $7 or more for a 20-pound bag. As there is not a lot of difference in terms of quality between different brands of bagged ice, the cost of ice will likely depend on how much is in the bag and the store you choose to buy it from.

Below you will find some of the most common sizes of ice bags and an average cost you should be prepared to pay per type of bag.

• 5-pound bag: Websites like CleverDude say that you will likely spend between $1.50 and $1.80 on a 5-pound bag.
• 10-pound bag: You’ll likely spend between $1 and $4 on a 10-pound bag of ice. Walmart, for example, sells a bag of ice of this size for about $2.5, while Arby’s will only charge about $1.5 and 7-11 for about $3.
• 20-pound bag: When it comes to 20-pound bags, these are likely to cost $5 at most convenience stores, while Sam’s Club only charges about $2.5, and Costco close to $3.

You can find bags of ice at fast food chains, gas stations, and grocery stores, so check out the table below for some of the most common prices:

Keep in mind: These prices are subject to change and can differ based on several factors including your geographical location.

Factors Affecting Bag of Ice Cost

The cost of bagged ice will vary per store, as you might have guessed. But it will also depend on your location. This means that you are likely to spend a different amount of money for a bag of ice if you were to buy it in California than buying a bag of the same size from Pennsylvania.

The company packaging the ice as well as the size of the bag it comes in will also have an influence on the final price. And that’s pretty obvious, as you wouldn’t expect to pay the same for a 10-pound bag as you’d pay for a 20-pound one.

You might also like our articles about the cost of dry ice, ice cream, or ice luges.

And the range of sizes is significant, as you can find both bags of 40+ pounds and of just 1 pound. When you buy a lot of ice, then make sure you consider both the cost per bag and the cost per pound.

Of course, there are premium types of ice when it comes to its shape, like uncommonly big or small, or with interesting shapes, and this will cost more than normal ice.

Bags of Ice at Fast Food Restaurants

Not a lot of people know this, but you also have the option of buying ice at fast food chains. And although some of the most popular fast-food restaurants will have locations that sell bagged ice at their drive-thru windows, this might not be advertised visibly and might only be possible at participating locations.

Surprisingly enough, the bag of ice cost when going on this route will be the smallest one, as some articles were talking about places like McDonald’s selling 8-pound bags of ice for just $.99. A great idea would be to call before going to a local fast food place to get a bag of ice, just to make sure they have them for sale, so you don’t waste your time. Burget King also sells ice at some of its locations, with prices as low as $1 per 5 pounds.

Buy Bags of Ice Online

You can also buy packaged ice from online stores, one of them being Home City Ice. This might be a great option for you depending on the size of the party you’re planning.

You can also take advantage of delivery services like Instacard if you need bags of ice brought to you. But as with any products you get through delivery services, the cost of a bag of ice will go up. This service is still worth its price if convenience is what you’re looking for.

Ice that comes in different creative shapes or unusual sizes should also be brought online, to avoid going from store to store to find the type you need. Websites like Creative Ice have cases of 48 1.75″ spherical craft ice cubes that you can use for cocktails priced at $75.

Important things to consider

The most common sizes of bagged ice are 10, 16, and 20 pounds. Most ice is made from purified water. Although most ice will be found in cubes, not all cubes are the same. There are cocktail ice cubes, for example, which are smaller cubes that can be used for beverages.

If you’re getting it from a local retailer, your ice will likely be made by one of these big brands: Reddy Ice, Penguin Ice, Diamond Ice, Chesapeake Bay Ice, the Cape Cod Ice Company, and Arctic Ice.

If you need to purchase a bag of ice to consume it, you should look for a label from the IPIA (International Packaged Ice Association). This is to ensure that the brand behind the commercial ice has made sure to meet all of the IPIA standards.

How can I save money?

If possible, freeze the ice you need at home. So instead of constantly buying ice, you’ll be better off purchasing some small ice trays from a local dollar store.

You can also fill up the cooler at night if you have a refrigerator with an option to make ice. This will ensure that you will wake up with an ice maker full of ice and ready for another batch.