Propane Tank Refill Cost: What It Costs to Fill Every Tank Size (2026)
Fill costs at the national average ($2.67/gal) with cheapest and most expensive state ranges. Based on the 80% fill rule.
Source: EIA SHOPP residential propane survey. Current data is the final release of the 2025/26 heating season (week ending 30 March 2026). EIA pauses weekly publication April-September; next release expected October 2026. Refreshed 7 July 2026.
How much does it cost to fill a propane tank? At the national average of $2.67/gallon (March 2026), filling a 500-gallon tank costs about $1,070 (400 usable gallons under the 80% fill rule), a 250-gallon tank about $535, a 1,000-gallon tank about $2,139, and a 20 lb BBQ cylinder $12-$20. State prices swing the 500-gallon fill from about $657 in Nebraska to $1,882 in Florida.
For tank-size-specific refill cost guides (with retailer matrices for the cylinder sizes and bobtail-delivery math for the home-tank sizes), see our dedicated reference site.
propanetankrefillcost.com →Propane Tank Fill Costs at a Glance (2026)
| Tank Size | Total Capacity | Usable (80% Rule) | Fill Cost (Nat. Avg $2.67) | Nebraska $1.64/gal | Florida $4.71/gal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb BBQ | ~5 gal | ~4.7 gal | $13 | $8 | $22 |
| 30 lb portable | ~7 gal | ~5.6 gal | $15 | $9 | $26 |
| 40 lb portable | ~9.4 gal | ~7.5 gal | $20 | $12 | $35 |
| 100 lb cylinder | ~23.6 gal | ~18.9 gal | $51 | $31 | $89 |
| 120 gallon | 120 gal | 96 gal | $257 | $158 | $452 |
| 250 gallon | 250 gal | 200 gal | $535 | $328 | $941 |
| 500 gallon | 500 gal | 400 gal | $1,070 | $657 | $1,882 |
| 1,000 gallon | 1,000 gal | 800 gal | $2,139 | $1,314 | $3,765 |
Prices based on 80% fill rule (industry standard and NFPA 58 requirement). Actual fill may vary by supplier. 20lb tank usable capacity is the full 20 lbs for refill; exchange gives approximately 15 lbs.
Cost to Fill a 500-Gallon Tank by State (March 2026)
EIA residential price per gallon × 400 usable gallons (the 80% fill rule). Most suppliers knock 5-10% off at this order size, so the discount column is what many homeowners actually pay.
| State | Price/gal | 500-gal fill (400 usable) | With 8% volume discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $1.64 | $657 | $604 |
| Ohio | $2.69 | $1,078 | $992 |
| Louisiana | $2.93 | $1,172 | $1,078 |
| Texas | $2.99 | $1,196 | $1,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $3.08 | $1,233 | $1,135 |
| New York | $3.75 | $1,499 | $1,379 |
| Florida | $4.71 | $1,882 | $1,732 |
See full pricing for all 50 states. Source: EIA Heating Oil & Propane Survey.
What People Actually Pay to Fill a 500-Gallon Tank
Forum threads on this question usually quote a single number without the context that moves it by hundreds of dollars. Three things decide your real bill:
- How empty the tank is. A 500-gallon tank holds 400 usable gallons. A fill from near-empty is ~380-400 gallons ($1,070 at the national average); a top-off from a quarter full is closer to 300 gallons.
- Your state. The same 400-gallon fill runs about $657 in Nebraska versus $1,882 in Florida, a swing of $1,226 on the same tank.
- Will-call vs auto-delivery. Auto-delivery and pre-buy contracts typically cut 5-10% off the per-gallon price; one-off emergency fills add a $75-$200 surcharge.
Bottom line: budget $984-$1,070 for a full 500-gallon fill in a mid-priced state at $2.67/gal, and check the current price in your state before you order.
20 lb BBQ Tank: Refill vs Exchange
For BBQ and patio heater owners, refilling at a propane station is almost always cheaper than the exchange programs at Walmart, Home Depot, and most gas stations. Here is why: exchange programs pre-fill tanks to only 15 pounds (for safety/liability reasons) but charge as if the tank were full. Refill stations fill to the full 20 pounds.
| Option | Cost Range | Propane Amount | Cost per Pound | Where Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refill at propane dealer | $12-$20 | 20 lbs (full) | $0.60-$1.00 | Propane dealers, U-Haul, some hardware stores |
| Exchange (Blue Rhino / AmeriGas) | $22-$30 | 15 lbs (75% full) | $1.47-$2.00 | Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, most gas stations |
| Costco refill (members) | $10-$14 | 20 lbs (full) | $0.50-$0.70 | Costco warehouse locations with refill station |
| Tractor Supply refill | $13-$16 | 20 lbs (full) | $0.65-$0.80 | Tractor Supply Company locations |
Residential Tank Fill Details
The 80% Fill Rule: Why Your Tank Is Never Completely Filled
Propane tanks are filled to only 80% of their total capacity. This is required by NFPA 58 (the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) and is not a supplier trying to shortchange you. Propane liquid expands significantly with temperature changes - up to 17 times the volume of the liquid. The 20% vapor space (called the outage) allows for this expansion without creating a dangerous pressure buildup.
All modern tanks have an OPD valve (Overfill Protection Device) that automatically stops filling at 80%. This is why your 500-gallon tank only ever holds about 400 usable gallons, and why the fill costs above are calculated on the usable capacity.
Learn more about propane safety and tank requirementsVolume Discounts and Delivery Fees
Volume thresholds vary by supplier. Ask specifically what discounts apply at different order sizes.