Lindsey Desmet
Various retail stores, gas stations, and propane companies offer propane tank refills and tank exchanges. Below, we list your options, plus how to find the most affordable refill or exchange.
What We Recommend
The best propane refill or exchange option for you will depend on the prices in your region, which stores are closest to you, and the size of tank you need to refill.
We found that refills are generally less expensive than exchanges, but it’s good to compare prices at a few locations in your area to be sure you’re getting the best deal.
For 20- and 30-lb. tanks, BJ’s Wholesale Club generally offers the least expensive refills. The cost is typically around $15 or less, and BJ’s Wholesale Club members receive an additional discount.
Ferrellgas, U-Haul, and Tractor Supply Co. also offer affordable refills, starting around $14 for a 20-lb. tank or about $3 to $4 per gallon.
If you’d prefer an exchange, Walmart typically offers the best price (unless you live near an H-E-B store) and is widely available nationwide. A 20-lb. tank exchange will cost around $18 to $20 at most Walmart locations, and you can exchange any brand of tank.
Comparison Table
Compare prices at all of the places on our list in the table below.
Keep in mind that because propane prices can vary significantly by location, all of these prices are approximate, based on quotes we gathered from several store locations.
Sort the table by either column by selecting the arrows at the top of the column. You can also select the company name to view more information in the list below.
| Place | Cost (20-lb. Tank, Approximate) |
|---|---|
| BJ's Wholesale Club | $15 |
| Ferrellgas | $14 to $19 |
| U-Haul | $14 to $28 |
| Tractor Supply Co. | $19 |
| Walmart | $18 to $20 |
| H-E-B | $15 to $16 |
| AmeriGas | $18 to $22 |
| Camping World | $18 to $23 |
| Costco | $19 |
| CVS | $20 |
| The Home Depot | $20 |
| 7-Eleven | $20 to $22 |
| Speedway | $20 to $22 |
| Publix | $20 |
| Food Lion | $20 to $22 |
| Meijer | $20 to $22 |
| Lowe's | $21 |
| Walgreens | $21 |
| Dollar General | $21 |
| Sam's Club | $21 |
| Circle K | $21 to $22 |
| Smith's Food & Drug | $21 |
| Kroger | $22 |
| Chevron | $22 |
| Ace Hardware | $22 |
| Safeway | $22 |
| Albertsons | $22 |
| Ralphs | $22 |
| Smart & Final | $21 to $22 |
| Family Dollar | $22 to $24 |
| Shell | $22 to $25 |
| Valero | $23 |
The List
We’ve placed the list below in order of the best overall options, considering cost and widespread availability.
Note that not every store location will have propane services available. It’s best to check the individual store details online or contact your local store to be sure propane is available before visiting, as well as confirm your local price.
BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Cost: Varies by location; typically under $15 for a 20-lb. tank refill. Members receive a discount.[1]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[1]
- Restrictions: Available services vary by location and depending on current availability. BJ’s will fill 20- and 30-lb. tanks.[2][1] Your existing tank should have minimal rust and be unexpired.[1]
- Find a location
Ferrellgas
- Cost: Varies by location; usually $3 to $4 per gallon (or $14 to $19 for a 20-lb. tank refill)[3]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[3]
- Restrictions: Existing tank must be in safe condition for refilling[3]
- Find a location
U-Haul
- Cost: Varies by location; around $3 to $6 per gallon ($14 to $28 for a 20-lb. tank)[4][5]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[4]
- Restrictions: Will fill tanks from any brand as long as the tank is safe to fill[5]
- Find a location
Tractor Supply Co.
- Cost: Varies by store; usually around $4 per gallon (or about $19 for a 20-lb. tank refill)[6]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[7][6]
- Restrictions: Will fill any brand of tank, but the tank must be under 100 lbs. (or 25 gallons)[7]
- Find a location
Walmart
- Cost: Varies by location; around $18 to $20 for a standard 20-lb. tank[8][9]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[8]
- Restrictions: Can provide an empty tank of any brand for exchange[9]
- Find a location
H-E-B
- Cost: Around $16 for a 20-lb. tank exchange; sometimes offers discounts of $1 off[10]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[10]
- Restrictions: Your empty tank should be in safe condition. Tank exchanges also require assistance from a store employee.[10]
- Find a location
AmeriGas
- Cost: Varies by location and service type; around $18 to $22 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[11]
- Refill or exchange? Both; available services vary by the location[12]
- Restrictions: The tank you exchange can be from any brand[13] but should be in safe condition with no leaks.[11]
- Find a location
Camping World
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $4 to $5 per gallon (or $18 to $23 for a 20-lb tank).[14] Good Sam members receive a 15% discount on propane.[15]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[14]
- Restrictions: Available services vary by location and propane availability; your tank should be in safe, usable condition, and not expired.[14]
- Find a location
Costco
- Cost: Varies by location and tank size; usually around $$4 per gallon (or about $19 for a 20-lb. tank)[16]
- Refill or exchange? Refill[16]
- Restrictions: Available at select stores; you must be a member to get a propane refill, and your tank must be certified/unexpired.[16]
- Find a location
CVS
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $20 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[17]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[17]
- Restrictions: You can exchange an empty tank from any brand as long as it’s in safe, usable condition.[17]
- Find a location
The Home Depot
- Cost: Varies by location; around $20 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[18][19]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[19]
- Restrictions: The empty tank you turn in shouldn’t have any leaks or severe damage[19]
- Find a location
7-Eleven
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $20 to $22 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[20]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[20]
- Restrictions: Your empty tank for exchange should be in usable, leak-free condition.[20]
- Find a location
Speedway
- Cost: Varies by location; around $20 to $22 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[21]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[21]
- Restrictions: The tank you turn in for exchange should be in safe condition (no leaks or excessive rust)[21]
- Find a location
Publix
- Cost: Varies by location; around $20 for a 20-lb. tank[22]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[22]
- Restrictions: The empty tank you exchange should be in leak-free, usable condition[22]
- Find a location
Food Lion
- Cost: Varies by location; around $20 to $22 for a 20-lb. tank[23]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[23]
- Restrictions: The tank you exchange should be leak-free; if your existing tank has too much damage, you can buy a new one rather than making an exchange.[23]
- Find a location
Meijer
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $20 to $22[24]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[24]
- Restrictions: You can exchange a tank from any brand, but it should be leak-free and safe for reuse.[24]
- Find a location
Lowe’s
- Cost: Varies by location; around $21 for a 20-lb. tank[25][26]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[25][26]
- Restrictions: Can exchange any empty tank of any brand; you’ll receive a Blue Rhino tank[26]
- Find a location
Walgreens
- Cost: Varies by location; around $21 for a 20-lb. tank. Walgreens sometimes offers coupons for a dollar amount off your exchange.[27]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[27]
- Restrictions: Existing tank must be in safe condition[27]
- Find a location
Dollar General
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $21 for a 20-lb. tank exchange. Dollar General sometimes offers coupons for around $3 off an exchange.[28]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[28]
- Restrictions: Services vary by location and depending on current propane availability. The tank you turn in for exchange should be in usable condition.[28]
- Find a location
Sam’s Club
- Cost: Varies by location; around $21 for a 20-lb. tank[29]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[29]
- Restrictions: You can exchange any brand of tank, but your empty tank should be in usable condition with no leaks. You don’t need a membership since the tank exchange is outside the store, but note that the exchange machine doesn’t accept cash.[29]
- Find a location
Circle K
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $21 or $22 for a 20-lb. tank[30]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[30]
- Restrictions: You can exchange a tank from any brand, but your old tank should be leak-free with minimal rust.[30]
- Find a location
Smith’s Food & Drug
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $21[31]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[31]
- Restrictions: The tank you turn in shouldn’t have leaks or excessive rust[31]
- Find a location
Kroger
- Cost: Varies by location; around $22 for a 20-lb. tank[32]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[32]
- Restrictions: The tank you exchange should have no leaks[32]
- Find a location
Chevron
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $22 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[33]
- Refill or exchange? Both[33]
- Restrictions: Available services vary by location and depending on current availability. Empty tanks for exchange should be in safe condition with minimal rust and no leaks.[33]
- Find a location
Ace Hardware
- Cost: Varies by location; around $22 for a 20-lb. tank[34]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[34]
- Restrictions: Exchanges only available for 20-lb. tanks; if you don’t have a tank, you can purchase a fresh one for around $65[35]
- Find a location
Safeway
- Cost: Varies by location; around $22 for a 20-lb. tank[36]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[36]
- Restrictions: Your existing tank should be in safe condition for exchange.[36]
- Find a location
Albertsons
- Cost: Varies by location; around $22 for a 20-lb. tank[37]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[37]
- Restrictions: The empty tank you exchange should be in safe, usable condition.[37]
- Find a location
Ralphs
- Cost: Varies by location; around $22 for a 20-lb. tank[38]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[38]
- Restrictions: Your existing tank should be in safe, usable condition.[38]
- Find a location
Smart & Final
- Cost: Varies by location; around $21 or $22 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[39]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[39]
- Restrictions: Your empty tank should be in safe condition with no leaks.[39]
- Find a location
Family Dollar
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $22 to $24 for a 20-lb. tank[40]
- Refill or exchange? Exchange[40]
- Restrictions: The tank you turn in should be in good condition and not leaking[40]
- Find a location
Shell
- Cost: Varies by location; usually around $22 to $25 for a 20-lb. tank exchange[41]
- Refill or exchange? Both[41]
- Restrictions: Available services (refill or exchange) vary depending on the location and current availability. If exchanging, your existing tank should be in safe condition, and if refilling, your tank should be unexpired.[41]
- Find a location
Valero
- Cost: Varies by location; around $5 per gallon (or $23 for a 20-lb. tank)[42]
- Refill or exchange? Both; available services vary by the location[42]
- Restrictions: Whether exchanging or refilling, your empty tank should be in safe, leak-free condition[42]
- Find a location
William Lipovsky
