Home / 20lb Refill Cost
Last verified April 2026
20lb Propane Tank Refill Cost: $15-20 in 2026
$13-15
Costco / BJ's
$14-19
U-Haul
$17-20
Tractor Supply
$20-25
Exchange (15lb only)
20lb Tank Specifications
| Nominal capacity | 20 lb (4.7 gallons total) |
| Usable propane (80% fill) | 3.76 gallons / 16-17 lb |
| Exchange fill (Blue Rhino / AmeriGas) | 3.53 gallons / 15 lb (short-fill) |
| BBQ grill runtime (medium burners) | 18-25 hours |
| Typical use case | BBQ grill, portable heater, turkey fryer |
| Tank weight (empty) | ~17 lb |
| Tank weight (full) | ~37 lb |
| Recertification due | 12 years from manufacture date |
20lb Tank Refill Prices by Retailer (2026)
| Retailer | Cost (20lb) | Propane delivered | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $13-15 | 3.76 gal (16-17 lb) | Membership req. Cheapest option. |
| BJ's Wholesale | $13-15 | 3.76 gal (16-17 lb) | Membership req. East Coast heavy. |
| U-Haul | $14-19 | 3.76 gal (16-17 lb) | No membership, 1,400+ locations. |
| Tractor Supply | $17-20 | 3.76 gal (16-17 lb) | By-the-gallon billing. |
| Ace Hardware | $18-21 | 3.76 gal (16-17 lb) | Varies by franchise. |
| Blue Rhino (exchange) | $20-25 | 3.53 gal (15 lb) | 15lb short-fill - not 20lb. |
| AmeriGas (exchange) | $20-25 | 3.53 gal (15 lb) | 15lb short-fill - not 20lb. |
BBQ Season Cost Math
For a typical summer BBQ season (April-October), grilling 2x per week at 1-2 hours per session uses roughly 10-15 refills. Here's the annual cost comparison:
| Option | Per fill | 12 fills/yr | 20 fills/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco (best) | $14 | $168 | $280 |
| U-Haul (typical) | $17 | $204 | $340 |
| Tractor Supply | $18.50 | $222 | $370 |
| Blue Rhino exchange | $23 | $276 | $460 |
FAQ
How much does it cost to refill a 20lb propane tank?⌄
$15-20 at refill stations in 2026. Costco $13-15, BJ's $13-15, U-Haul $14-19, Tractor Supply $17-20. Exchange (Blue Rhino, AmeriGas) costs $20-25 but only fills to 15lb.
How much propane does a 20lb tank hold?⌄
4.7 gallons at capacity, filled to 80% = 3.76 gallons (16-17 lb). Exchange tanks are pre-filled to only 15lb = 3.53 gallons. You get ~6.5% more propane from a refill station.
How long does a 20lb propane tank last for grilling?⌄
18-25 hours of cooking on medium heat on a standard 2-3 burner grill. For typical backyard grilling (1-2 hrs per session), a 20lb tank lasts 10-20 sessions or 4-6 weeks in a regular grilling season.