AmeriGas Propane Price Per Gallon
AmeriGas is the largest retail propane marketer in the United States. This page covers what AmeriGas typically charges across residential delivery and cylinder exchange, how that compares to the EIA national average, and the contract options.
Company snapshot
AmeriGas (operating brand of UGI Energy Services) is the largest US retail propane marketer by gallons sold, with coverage in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. The company operates more than 1,500 retail distribution locations and serves approximately 1.4 million customers across residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial segments. AmeriGas was a publicly traded master limited partnership until 2019 when parent UGI Corporation took the partnership private; UGI Corporation remains publicly traded on the NYSE under ticker UGI, and AmeriGas financial results are reported within UGI's segment disclosures.
The AmeriGas footprint is geographically broadest in the Eastern US (PADD 1 and PADD 2 are the highest-revenue regions), reflecting UGI's Pennsylvania-based history and the regional propane consumption patterns. AmeriGas also operates AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange, the largest US cylinder exchange network alongside Ferrellgas-owned Blue Rhino, with cylinder displays at more than 60,000 retail locations including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and many convenience stores.
Residential delivery pricing
AmeriGas does not publicly post per-gallon residential prices. Pricing is quoted to the customer at the time of delivery, with the per-gallon figure depending on region, annual consumption tier, contract type, and tank ownership status. Industry surveys and customer-reported pricing suggest AmeriGas residential will-call prices typically run within 5 to 15% of the EIA regional average for residential propane.
AmeriGas offers several contract options that affect the per-gallon price.
- Will-call: Standard reactive delivery, quoted on the day of fill. Typically the highest per- gallon price among AmeriGas options.
- Automatic delivery: AmeriGas monitors tank levels via heating-degree-day estimation and delivers on schedule. Typically 3 to 6 cents per gallon below will-call. Recommended for primary heating customers.
- AmeriGas SmartPay: Budget plan where the annual estimated cost is divided into 11 monthly payments. No per-gallon discount but levels cash flow.
- Price protection plans: Cap and fixed- price options similar to other major propane retailers. Premium of 8 to 20 cents per gallon for the price-risk protection. Available in most markets but specific terms vary by state.
Tank lease vs ownership
AmeriGas, like all major retail propane marketers, will lease a tank to a residential customer or recognise a customer-owned tank. The lease arrangement bundles the tank cost (installation, regulator service, leak check, maintenance) into the per-gallon price. Estimated lease-amortisation contribution to the per-gallon price is 5 to 12 cents per gallon depending on tank size and annual consumption.
Customer-owned tanks remove that amortisation. AmeriGas will service customer-owned tanks of the appropriate ASME rating, deliver propane to them, and run safety checks. The trade-off is that the customer owns the installation: regulator failures, tank corrosion, and eventual replacement become customer expenses.
AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange
AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange operates the second largest US cylinder exchange network. The 20-pound cylinders are standardised at 15 pounds of propane fill (3.6 gallons), consistent with industry exchange-network practice (Blue Rhino does the same). Retail exchange pricing typically runs $24 to $30 at the major retail partners, which works out to roughly $6.50 to $8.30 per gallon equivalent at the 15lb fill.
The per-gallon premium over residential bulk reflects cylinder turnover, requalification, retail distribution margin, and the convenience pricing model. Customers willing to refill their own cylinders at a propane dealer (rather than exchange) typically capture the better per-gallon economics; the camping propane page covers the refill vs exchange math.
How to negotiate AmeriGas pricing
AmeriGas pricing, like most major-supplier propane pricing, is somewhat negotiable for residential customers who ask. The levers that work are similar to other dealers.
- Annual volume commitment: Telling the AmeriGas account representative that you expect to use 800+ gallons per year and would like to qualify for the heavy-residential pricing tier sometimes moves the quoted per-gallon price down 5 to 10 cents.
- Competitive bids: Three quotes from local dealers (AmeriGas plus two independents) gives you the data to push back. The US propane market is fragmented enough that meaningful price differences exist even within a single zip code.
- Pre-buy enrollment: AmeriGas offers seasonal pre-buy programs in most markets. The pre-buy rate typically captures 15 to 30 cents per gallon discount vs the customer's eventual will-call average.
- Auto delivery vs will-call: Switching from will-call to automatic delivery typically moves the per-gallon price down 3 to 6 cents because AmeriGas can optimise the bobtail route.
AmeriGas commercial and industrial pricing
AmeriGas commercial pricing follows the structure described on our commercial vs residential page. Light commercial (1,500 to 5,000 gallons per year, a typical restaurant or small commercial heating customer) typically lands 8 to 15% below the AmeriGas residential rate. Medium commercial (5,000 to 20,000 gallons, a school district autogas bus operation or larger commercial heating account) lands 12 to 20% below. Heavy commercial and industrial accounts negotiate cost-plus contracts referenced to Mont Belvieu or a regional rack.
AmeriGas also serves the autogas fleet market through its commercial division. School district and municipal fleet pricing for autogas typically lands 30 to 50% below the AmeriGas residential price, with the federal alternative fuel tax credit (when in effect) further widening the gap. See the autogas page for the fleet pricing band.
What AmeriGas pricing does not tell you
Three caveats apply when interpreting AmeriGas published or quoted pricing. First, the per-gallon price is one piece of the total cost. Service charges (hazmat fees, low-volume surcharges where applicable, regulator inspection fees, tank lease fees) add to the total bill and vary by customer class. Always ask for the all-in delivered cost, not just the per-gallon rate. Second, the quoted price may be temperature-compensated or not (it should be by industry standard, but the customer should confirm). Third, the propane gas association assessment (1 to 2 cents per gallon, used to fund industry safety education and consumer awareness) is typically itemised and is the same across all dealers in a given state.
Related
- Suburban Propane price per gallon
- Ferrellgas (and Blue Rhino) price per gallon
- Costco propane refill per gallon
- Commercial vs residential propane price
- Wholesale vs retail spread
FAQ
Why does AmeriGas not publish per-gallon prices online?
AmeriGas, like virtually all major US propane retailers, quotes residential pricing at the customer level rather than posting it publicly. The reasons are competitive (price varies meaningfully across regions and customer classes) and operational (propane retail price changes frequently with the wholesale market).
Is AmeriGas more expensive than independent local propane dealers?
Sometimes, sometimes not. Major-supplier pricing tends to run a small premium over independent local dealers, particularly in rural markets where the local dealer has lower overhead. In dense urban markets the gap is often small or zero. Get three quotes.
What is the AmeriGas SmartPay budget plan?
A budget plan that divides the estimated annual propane cost into 11 monthly payments, levelling cash flow. No per-gallon discount but easier budgeting. Particularly useful for households where the winter propane bill would otherwise create a cash-flow problem.
Do AmeriGas cylinders contain 20lb of propane or 15lb?
AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange cylinders are filled to 15 pounds (3.6 gallons), consistent with industry exchange-network practice since 2008. Refill at a dealer fills to the full 20lb (4.7 gallons). See the camping propane page for the math.