Propane Price Per Gallon 2026
The year-by-year US residential propane price, with 2026 tracked week-by-week from the EIA survey and the rest of the calendar year forecast from the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook.
2026 year-to-date track
The US residential propane price entered 2026 at $2.554 per gallon (week ending 2026-01-05). The reading dipped briefly in the first week of January as a mild-weather window pulled back demand, then climbed steadily through January and February to the seasonal peak. By the end of the 2025-2026 heating season (week of 30 March 2026), the residential average sat at $2.674 per gallon, well within the range of a typical winter season ending.
2026 in context
Compared to recent calendar years, 2026 is tracking somewhat above the 2024 annual average ($2.482 per gallon) and the 2025 annual average ($2.611 per gallon). The 2026 year-to-date reading sits comfortably below the 2022 average ($2.853), which was lifted by the Russia-Ukraine NGL feedstock disruption, and well below the 2014 record annual average of $2.808 driven by the polar vortex spike. For full historical context, our historical chart page plots residential propane back to 2014.
What the EIA STEO forecasts for the rest of 2026
The EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook is the official US government propane price forecast, published monthly by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The most recent STEO (steo) anticipates a normal propane price pattern through the remainder of 2026 calendar year:
- April through September 2026: A normal seasonal trough in the August-September window, consistent with the historical pattern. The EIA monthly residential series (M_EPLLPA_PRS_NUS_DPG) typically bottoms in the 12 to 18% below winter peak range, which would put the August 2026 monthly average around $2.20 to $2.35 if the typical pattern holds. The EIA STEO forecasts at this level of granularity are best read as a central case with wide confidence bands.
- October through December 2026: The autumn ramp-up to the 2026-2027 heating season. The STEO winter outlook (published each October) is the authoritative reference for this period; the preliminary STEO commentary suggests a winter average similar to the 2025-2026 winter just ended, absent unusual weather or supply events.
Our forecast page quotes the most recent STEO verbatim with the issue date. We do not invent forecasts on this site. The STEO forecast is the only price prediction we publish.
What could move 2026 propane prices higher
Three risks could push 2026 residential propane prices materially above the central case.
- Cold-snap or polar vortex events: Heating-driven inventory draws can lift residential prices 15 to 35 cents per gallon in a single month if sustained sub-zero weather affects PADD 2 (Midwest). See the polar vortex page for the 2014 precedent.
- Hurricane disruption to Gulf Coast fractionation: A Category 4 or 5 hurricane tracking through the Mont Belvieu, Houston Ship Channel, or Lake Charles complex can take significant US LPG production offline for several weeks. The 2008 hurricanes Gustav and Ike produced notable but short-lived wholesale price spikes.
- Sustained LPG export surge: If Asian or European LPG demand pulls hard on US Gulf Coast terminals, domestic Mont Belvieu spot can tighten and transmit to residential pricing. The LPG exports page covers this channel.
What could move 2026 propane prices lower
Two scenarios could push the 2026 calendar year average notably below central case.
- Unusually warm winter 2026-2027: A mild November-December 2026 with limited cold-snap events would keep inventory pressure benign and residential pricing modest through year-end.
- Slowing US economic activity: Recessionary conditions reduce industrial and commercial propane consumption (forklift fleets, commercial heating). The 2020 pandemic-driven economic contraction produced the lowest annual residential propane price of the last decade ($2.078 per gallon calendar year average).
How to use the 2026 number
For a residential customer planning the 2026 propane spend, the relevant number is the regional EIA average plus a typical dealer-margin adjustment, not the national weekly figure on its own. Our by-state pages give state-specific weekly figures for the largest residential propane states. For a national-average reference, the figure at the top of this page (and on the homepage) is appropriate.
For commercial customers, the residential figure is too high (commercial accounts pay 8 to 20% below). See the commercial vs residential page for the per-segment math.
Related
- Propane price per gallon: historical chart 2014-2026
- Winter propane price per gallon: 2025-2026 recap
- Summer propane price per gallon: off-season buying
- EIA STEO forecast (verbatim)
- Polar vortex 2014 spike
FAQ
What is the 2026 US residential propane price?
For the week ending 30 March 2026, the US residential propane price was $2.674 per gallon per the EIA Weekly Heating Oil and Propane Survey. The page above tracks the week-by-week 2026 series.
Is 2026 propane more expensive than 2025?
The 2026 year-to-date national residential reading is modestly above the 2025 calendar year average of $2.611 per gallon. Year-on- year comparison varies by region; some states are below 2025 averages and some are above.
Where does the EIA forecast come from?
The EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), published monthly. STEO is the official US government propane price forecast and is the only forecast quoted on this site. We do not invent forecasts.
Will propane prices fall in 2026?
The EIA STEO central case anticipates a normal seasonal trough in August-September 2026, then a normal autumn ramp into the 2026-2027 heating season. Departures from this pattern depend on weather, supply, and export demand.