Minnesota Propane Price 2026: Cost Per Gallon, Suppliers & Delivery

Minnesota residential propane is $2.48/gal in the 2026 EIA survey, right at the $2.47 Midwest regional average and 11% below the $2.78 national average. Full breakdown of MN pricing, verified in-state suppliers, fill-up costs, the 2014 shortage lessons, and how Minnesota compares to the rest of the Midwest.

Last verified 27 April 2026 · Sourced from EIA Minnesota residential propane price survey

Minnesota Propane Price Snapshot (April 2026)

Minnesota residential price

$2.48/gal

2026 EIA weekly survey, statewide retail average

vs national average ($2.78)

-11%

Minnesota pays $0.30 less per gallon than the US average

vs Midwest regional avg ($2.47)

+0.4%

Minnesota sits right at the Midwest regional average

Annual cost (typical 1,500 gal household)

$3,720

Based on a heated MN home burning 1,200 to 1,800 gal/yr

Heating-season window

Oct - Apr

Seven-month heating season; coldest stretch Dec-Feb

Best time to fill

May - Aug

Off-peak; avoid October corn-dry inventory pull

Minnesota prices are meaningfully cheaper than the national average and sit right at the Midwest regional benchmark. The 2014 Minnesota propane shortage led to state policy reforms including expanded supply monitoring, regional storage build-out, and emergency price provisions that benefit consumers during winter cold snaps.

Why Minnesota Propane Prices Are Moderately Low

Minnesota propane sits at the Midwest regional average, which is the cheapest US region for residential propane. The state benefits from short supply chains and a competitive supplier market, but severe-cold-state demand and historical Polar Vortex events keep winter price risk elevated.

Close to Midwest production hubs. Minnesota propane comes primarily from regional sources: Bakken-shale production in North Dakota, gas-processing plants in Kansas (the Conway hub), and Canadian propane delivered via the Cochin Pipeline (which was reversed in 2014 to move Canadian condensate, but still moves propane volumes). Short transport distances mean lower per-gallon delivery cost compared with Northeast states paying for cross-country rail and pipeline.

Competitive supplier market. Minnesota has a deep bench of residential propane suppliers: regional player Lakes Gas (60+ Upper Midwest locations), member-owned cooperatives like Federated Co-ops Inc, the three nationals (AmeriGas, Suburban, Ferrellgas), plus dozens of family-owned independents. Cooperative pricing returns margin to members and competitive pressure keeps retail spreads tight.

Severe-cold-state demand creates winter price spike risk. Minnesota winters routinely run 20 degrees below the national average for January and February. The state has roughly 230,000 propane-heated households (about 10% of the housing stock, concentrated in rural Greater MN). Polar Vortex cold snaps can push regional propane demand 50 to 80% above forecast within days, and during the 2013-2014 winter that demand surge pushed Minnesota retail prices above $4.50/gal at the peak.

Strong post-2014 supply policy framework. Following the 2014 shortage, Minnesota built additional regional storage, the state Department of Commerce monitors winter propane supply, and the Energy Assistance Program added crisis-fund flexibility for fuel emergencies. The state also tracks supplier pricing during declared emergencies. This framework limits the worst-case price exposure for Minnesota consumers compared with states without similar oversight.

Minnesota Propane Suppliers (Verified, April 2026)

These are the major residential propane suppliers serving Minnesota. Coverage areas overlap; in most ZIP codes you will have a choice between a regional Upper Midwest player like Lakes Gas, a member-owned cooperative, one of the nationals, and one or two local independents.

Lakes Gas

Upper Midwest regional

Serving the Upper Midwest since 1959. 60+ locations across Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Illinois. MN branches include Brainerd, St. Paul, Duluth, St. Michael, Mankato, and Esko. Automatic and will-call delivery.

Federated Co-ops Inc (FCI)

Princeton, MN

Customer-owned agricultural and energy cooperative headquartered in Princeton. Multiple MN propane offices including Princeton and Cloquet. Summer-fill option, prebuy winter contracts (Sept 15 to Apr 15), 250/500/1,000 gal tank lease and install. One transparent price with no delivery or credit-card fees.

AmeriGas

King of Prussia, PA (national)

Largest US propane provider. Multiple Minnesota offices including Anoka, Detroit Lakes, Walker, Owatonna, and Duluth. National scale gives access to budget plans, tank exchange, and 24/7 customer service.

Suburban Propane

Whippany, NJ (national)

95+ years in business with 700+ locations across 41 states. Minnesota service area covers residential delivery, automatic delivery scheduling backed by degree-day forecasting, and 24/7/365 emergency support.

Ferrellgas

Overland Park, KS (national)

National propane provider with multiple MN offices including Brainerd, Walker, Inver Grove Heights, Chaska, Anoka, and Saint Cloud. MyFerrellgas online ordering, free Auto Fill program, 24/7 emergency service.

Quality Propane of MN

Kellogg, MN

Minnesota propane provider since 2000. Residential, commercial, and agricultural delivery with 24/7 availability. Home heating, cooking, gas grills, fireplaces, pools, and spas. Member of the Minnesota Propane Association.

Como Oil & Propane

Duluth, MN (Thompson Gas DBA)

Family-founded in 1946, now operating as Thompson Gas DBA. Serves Duluth, Cloquet, Barnum, Grand Marais, Hibbing, Tower, Two Harbors in MN plus Superior and Ashland in WI. Metered propane and 24/7/365 emergency service.

Edwards Oil / North Country Propane

Hibbing, MN

Locally owned northern Minnesota fuel company. Edwards Oil opened in 1969; the dedicated North Country Propane division opened in 2012. Even-Pay budget program, monitored delivery, flexible fixed pricing, no hidden fees, local emergency service.

Other licensed Minnesota suppliers worth quoting include Beaudry Oil & Propane (Twin Cities and central MN), Rahn's Oil & Propane (central MN), and dozens of single-county family operators listed in the Minnesota Propane Association directory. Always pull two or three written quotes before signing a contract; per-gallon spreads of 25 to 45 cents within the same town are common.

Minnesota Propane Fill-Up Cost by Tank Size

Propane tanks are filled to 80% capacity (the "80% rule") to allow for thermal expansion. Costs below use Minnesota's $2.48/gal residential rate and the usable gallon count for each tank size.

Tank size	Usable gallons (80%)	Minnesota fill cost ($2.48/gal)	National avg cost ($2.78/gal)	MN savings
100 gal (portable)	80	$198.40	$222.40	-$24.00
250 gal (small home)	200	$496.00	$556.00	-$60.00
500 gal (standard residential)	400	$992.00	$1,112.00	-$120.00
1,000 gal (large home / cold-climate)	800	$1,984.00	$2,224.00	-$240.00

A typical Minnesota household heating with propane in Greater MN burns 1,200 to 1,800 gallons per year because of the long heating season and severe winter temperatures. That translates to three to four full fills of a 500-gallon tank or roughly two fills of a 1,000-gallon tank per year. Annual propane spend ranges from $2,976 (1,200 gal at $2.48) to $4,464 (1,800 gal at $2.48) at the current state-average rate.

Minnesota Heating Season, Pre-Buy Strategy & Energy Assistance

Minnesota's heating season runs roughly seven months, from early October through late April, with the coldest stretch and highest demand falling in December through February. Propane retail prices in Minnesota are uniquely shaped by two demand curves: the residential heating curve and the agricultural corn-drying surge in October. Both pull regional inventory at the same time the heating season begins.

Avoid the October corn-dry surge. Minnesota commercial grain dryers consume 50 to 100 million gallons of propane during the October corn-drying season. In wet harvest years (like 2013), that demand can spike 2x to 3x normal volumes within weeks, draining regional inventory and pushing retail prices up sharply. The practical move: top your tank to 80% by mid-September, before corn-dry inventory pull begins.

Summer pre-buy savings. A typical Minnesota household burning 1,500 gallons per year saves $300 to $600 by locking a pre-buy contract in May through August versus paying spot rates during heating season. Federated Co-ops, Lakes Gas, and the nationals all offer summer-fill and prebuy plans (typically Sept 15 through Apr 15). Cap-price contracts (which set a ceiling but let you benefit if the market falls) are useful if you do not want to commit cash up front.

Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is Minnesota's federal LIHEAP program, administered by the Department of Commerce through local service providers. Income-qualified households (generally up to 60% of state median income, roughly $73,000 for a family of four) can receive a Primary Heat benefit paid directly to their propane supplier, typically $300 to $1,800. The program runs October 1 through May 31. EAP also funds Crisis benefits and the Energy Related Repair (ERR) program for furnace repairs, useful for rural Minnesota propane households.

Practical sequence for a Minnesota propane household: apply for EAP in October if you may qualify, sign a pre-buy or cap-price contract in June or July, and top up your tank to 80% by mid-September before corn-dry season. That combination protects you from both winter spot-market spikes and the October agricultural inventory pull.

Minnesota vs Other Midwest States (April 2026)

State	Price/gal	vs national avg ($2.78)	500-gal fill cost
Illinois	$2.71	-2.5%	$1,084
Michigan	$2.65	-4.7%	$1,060
Ohio	$2.61	-6.1%	$1,044
Indiana	$2.58	-7.2%	$1,032
Wisconsin	$2.52	-9.4%	$1,008
Minnesota (this page)	$2.48	-10.8%	$992
North Dakota	$2.42	-12.9%	$968
South Dakota	$2.38	-14.4%	$952
Missouri	$2.35	-15.5%	$940
Kansas	$2.28	-18.0%	$912
Nebraska	$2.24	-19.4%	$896
Iowa	$2.22	-20.1%	$888

Midwest regional average: $2.47/gal. Minnesota sits $0.01 above the regional average and is the seventh-cheapest state in the Midwest. Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas are the cheapest in the region thanks to proximity to the Conway, KS gas-processing hub. National average: $2.78/gal. See full state-by-state pricing for all 50 states.

Minnesota Propane Price FAQ

Who has the cheapest propane in Minnesota?

Pricing is competitive across Minnesota's main residential suppliers and the cheapest provider depends on your county, contract length, and whether you pre-buy or pay will-call. Lakes Gas, Federated Co-ops Inc, AmeriGas, Ferrellgas, and Suburban Propane all publish budget plans and pre-buy programs that can shave $0.20 to $0.40 per gallon off the spot rate. Member-owned cooperatives like Federated Co-ops in Princeton often beat the nationals on will-call rates because they return margin to members rather than shareholders. Independent locals such as Quality Propane of MN, Beaudry Oil & Propane, Como Oil & Propane, and Rahn's Oil & Propane often have the most competitive rates in central Minnesota and the Iron Range. Always pull two written quotes before committing because the per-gallon spread between suppliers in the same town routinely runs 25 to 45 cents.

Am I eligible for the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP)?

The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is the state's implementation of federal LIHEAP, administered by the Department of Commerce through local service providers (mostly Community Action Agencies). EAP can pay a benefit directly to your propane supplier toward winter fuel costs, with primary heating benefits typically ranging from $300 to $1,800 depending on income, household size, and fuel costs. Income eligibility is generally up to 60% of state median income, which works out to roughly $73,000 for a family of four in 2026. The program runs October 1 through May 31 each year, with funds distributed first-come, first-served. Apply through your local EAP service provider as early as possible in the heating season. EAP also funds emergency Crisis benefits and the Energy Related Repair (ERR) program for furnace repairs, which is particularly useful for rural Minnesota propane households.

Should I switch from propane to natural gas in Minnesota?

It depends on where you live. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro and most regional cities (Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato), natural gas from CenterPoint Energy or Xcel Energy is widely available and is typically 30 to 50% cheaper per BTU than propane. If a natural gas main runs past your house, switching almost always makes financial sense over a 10-year horizon, even after the $2,000 to $5,000 conversion cost. In rural Greater Minnesota, where most propane households actually live, natural gas service is rarely available because there is no main on the road. For those homes, the choice is propane, fuel oil, electric, or wood. At Minnesota's $2.48/gal residential rate, propane is competitive with electric resistance heat in most of the state and beats fuel oil per BTU at current Midwest fuel-oil prices.

How do I protect against winter price spikes in Minnesota?

Minnesota's winter price spike risk is real and historically severe. The 2013-2014 winter saw retail propane in Minnesota surge from roughly $1.80/gal in autumn to over $4.50/gal at the peak in January 2014, as Polar Vortex cold snaps drained Midwest inventory and pulled supply away from the regional Conway, Kansas hub. The state has since adopted supply monitoring and emergency price provisions, but the structural risk remains. The single best protection is a pre-buy or fixed-price contract signed in June through August, which locks your per-gallon rate for the upcoming heating season at off-peak prices. Cap-price contracts, which set a ceiling but let you benefit if the market falls, are a useful middle ground. Beyond contracts, top up your tank to 80% by mid-October before the corn-drying season pulls regional inventory in late October, and avoid will-call deliveries during January and February cold snaps when emergency premium rates apply.

When is the best time to fill a propane tank in Minnesota?

Late spring through midsummer (May to August) for the lowest spot prices, with a hard fill-up deadline of mid-October before corn-drying season. Minnesota propane prices follow a pronounced seasonal cycle driven by both heating demand and agricultural drying load. Prices typically bottom from May through August, then rise sharply in late September and early October as commercial grain dryers pull Midwest inventory. By mid-November most suppliers have raised cap-price and will-call rates ahead of the heating season, and cold snaps from December through February can push spot rates 30 to 60% above the summer floor. If your tank is below 30% in autumn, do not wait. The worst time to need an emergency fill is January through February, when supply is tight and per-gallon premiums of $0.50 to $1.50 over the state average are common.

What did Minnesota learn from the 2014 propane shortage?

The 2013-2014 propane crisis was a defining event for Minnesota energy policy. A combination of a wet 2013 corn harvest (which pulled massive volumes of propane into grain dryers in October), reversal of the Cochin Pipeline (which had previously moved propane east into the Midwest), and Polar Vortex cold snaps in January 2014 drained regional inventory and pushed retail prices above $4.50/gal in some Minnesota counties. Some households faced runouts. Governor Dayton declared a propane emergency, and the state worked with the federal government to expand trucking hours and waive fuel-tax requirements on emergency loads. Since then, Minnesota has built up regional propane storage, the state monitors winter supply, and the Energy Assistance Program added crisis-fund flexibility for fuel emergencies. Practical lesson for households: do not run a tank below 30% during heating season, sign pre-buy contracts in summer, and plan for the corn-dry season demand pull every October.