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

Maryland residential propane runs $3.74/gal in 2026, roughly +40% above the national mark and well ahead of every other South-region state except Florida. The driver is geography, not policy: rural Eastern Shore routes, Western Maryland mountain delivery, and natural-gas dominance in the Baltimore-Washington corridor leave propane in the high-cost residential niche. This is the no-spin breakdown, verified pricing, fill-cost math, OHEP/MEAP assistance, and the propane-vs-natural-gas decision for Maryland households.

Latest EIA residential propane price

Source: EIA Maryland residential propane price 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 26 May 2026.

Maryland Propane Pricing Snapshot (2026)

Maryland residential avg

$3.74/gal

EIA 2026 SHOPP survey, full-service residential delivery, week ending 30 March 2026

vs national average

+40%

National avg $2.67/gal. Maryland pays $1.07 more per gallon than the US average.

vs South region avg

+15%

South region avg $3.26/gal. Maryland is the second-most-expensive South-region state after Florida.

Annual fuel cost (1,000 gal)

$3741

Typical Maryland propane-heat household burns 800-1,200 gal/year; Eastern Shore and Western MD homes trend higher.

500-gallon refill (400 usable)

$1496

Most common residential tank size in Maryland; 80%-rule applies.

Pre-buy savings (May-Jul)

$300-$500/yr

Lock-in or cap-price contracts beat winter spot pricing on a 1,000 gal/year household.

Maryland is grouped with the South Census region but its 2026 propane price sits in the Northeast pricing tier. The $3.74/gal average puts Maryland alongside Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, not alongside Texas ($2.99), Louisiana ($2.93) or Oklahoma ($2.27). Pricing pressure comes from rural Eastern Shore delivery economics, Western Maryland mountain routes, and the fact that the heavily-populated Baltimore-Washington corridor runs on natural gas, leaving propane confined to lower-density customer bases.

Why Maryland Propane Prices Sit Where They Do

Maryland is the second-most-expensive South-region state for residential propane, behind only Florida ($4.71/gal in the same 2026 dataset). The drivers are structural and persistent. They will not normalise toward the South regional average without a major shift in either supply infrastructure or residential heating-fuel mix.

1. No Gulf Coast supply access. Roughly 90% of US propane comes from natural gas processing in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and the Marcellus/Utica shale. Maryland sits at the end of the Sunoco / Energy Transfer NGL pipeline route through Pennsylvania and depends on rail-to-truck terminals in PA and NJ. Every transfer adds margin before retail markup. South-region states with direct Gulf access (TX, LA, MS, AL) sit $1.20-$1.55/gal cheaper than Maryland.

2. Natural-gas dominance in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. BGE serves central Maryland and Washington Gas serves Montgomery, Prince George's and parts of Frederick County via natural-gas mains. That covers the densest residential zones in the state. Propane is left to serve rural Eastern Shore, Western Maryland mountain communities, Southern Maryland tri-county, and outlying parcels of central counties, a smaller, more dispersed customer base with weaker per-supplier route economies.

3. Eastern Shore rural-route economics. Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties depend on propane as the primary residential heating fuel, Washington Gas and BGE never extended natural-gas mains east of the Chesapeake. Population is rural. Each delivery truck covers more miles per gallon sold than in a metro market, and that overhead prices into per-gallon rates. Hurricane-season generator demand each June-November adds a further $0.10-$0.25/gal premium during named-storm weeks.

4. Western Maryland mountain delivery. Garrett and Allegany counties combine the highest residential propane share in the state with mountain terrain, weather-restricted access roads, and a high seasonal-second-home customer base around Deep Creek Lake. Suppliers serving Garrett County typically run $0.20-$0.40/gal above the Maryland average to cover the additional truck time and winter access risk.

5. Climate Solutions Now Act electrification tilt. Maryland's 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act commits to 60% greenhouse-gas reduction by 2031 and net-zero by 2045. State and utility incentive programs (EmPOWER, BGE Smart Energy Savers, Pepco rebates) are tilting toward heat-pump conversions rather than fuel-system replacements. Long-term, that policy direction reduces investment incentive in residential propane infrastructure expansion, which keeps the high-cost rural delivery model in place rather than driving it down.

Maryland Propane Companies: Supplier Tiers

Verification status. The list below is a placeholder while we verify Maryland-specific supplier coverage, addresses and licensure on the Maryland OneStop propane gas fitter directory and the Comptroller of Maryland Motor Fuel Tax license inquiry. National chains and tier descriptions are accurate; specific Maryland regional and local operator names are marked "verify" pending direct confirmation. Always cross-check any quote against the State Plumbing Board licensure search at onestop.md.gov before signing a service contract.

Maryland residential propane is served by a mix of two national chains, several regional family operators with in-state bulk storage, and a long tail of local independents concentrated on the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland and Southern Maryland. Always quote at least three suppliers, including one from each tier, before signing a service contract or pre-buy. Confirm propane gas fitter certification on Maryland OneStop and ask whether the supplier holds bulk storage in-state, operators with their own storage typically beat rail-direct pricing.

AmeriGas

National chain

Coverage: Statewide. Maryland offices and 269 service points listed across the state.

Notes: Largest US propane retailer. Predictable service, but pricing rarely beats regional operators. Best when you need wide geographic coverage or already have an AmeriGas tank.

Suburban Propane

National chain

Coverage: Statewide via multiple Maryland service centers covering all major counties.

Notes: 24/7 customer line at 1-800-PROPANE. Comparable pricing to AmeriGas; negotiate hard on first-fill and per-gallon rate before committing.

Maryland regional family operator (verify)

Regional family operator

Coverage: Central and Eastern Maryland, multi-county footprint with in-state bulk storage.

Notes: Typical regional operator profile: lower overhead than national chains, mid-priced per-gallon rate, often bundled with HVAC service. Verify current Maryland coverage before quoting.

Maryland regional family operator #2 (verify)

Regional family operator

Coverage: Western Maryland and Mid-Maryland counties.

Notes: Regional operator with on-site storage is generally the price leader in Western Maryland markets. Verify current routes and confirm on the Maryland OneStop propane gas fitter directory before signing.

Eastern Shore propane operator (verify)

Regional operator

Coverage: Eastern Shore counties: Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester.

Notes: Eastern Shore-focused operator with rural-route experience. Useful for households outside metro service areas where national chains charge a route premium.

Maryland regional dual-fuel operator (verify)

Regional operator

Coverage: Multi-county Maryland coverage with both propane and heating-oil delivery.

Notes: Propane plus heating-oil delivery. Useful for households with mixed fuel use or considering a fuel switch, a single vendor for both fuels can simplify scheduling.

Maryland local independent (verify)

Local independent

Coverage: Single-county or small multi-county Maryland footprint.

Notes: Smaller, route-dense operator. Often the price leader in its service zone but limited geographic reach. Confirm on the Maryland OneStop propane gas fitter directory.

Maryland local independent #2 (verify)

Local independent

Coverage: Western Maryland: Garrett, Allegany, Washington counties.

Notes: Local dispatch, mountain-route experience. Often the only practical option for the Garrett County mountain-resort and second-home market.

Maryland local independent #3 (verify)

Local independent

Coverage: Southern Maryland: Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's counties.

Notes: Local-only propane delivery for the Southern Maryland tri-county area. Smaller pricing footprint but service-focused.

Verifying a Maryland propane supplier. (1) The Maryland State Board of Plumbing licenses individual propane gas fitters via the Maryland Department of Labor; search at onestop.md.gov for "Propane Gas Fitter Certification". (2) The Comptroller of Maryland Motor Fuel Tax office maintains a registered fuel dealer license inquiry at interactive.marylandtaxes.gov. (3) The Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association (MAPGA, mapga.org) lists member retailers serving Maryland and Delaware. (4) The Maryland State Fire Marshal enforces NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code under COMAR Title 29 for tank siting and bulk storage. If a supplier is not on the OneStop license directory, do not sign, unlicensed fuel-line work is both a safety risk and a violation of Maryland law.

Maryland Propane Fill Costs by Tank Size (at $3.74/gal)

Propane tanks fill to 80% of stated capacity (the "80% rule") to allow for thermal expansion. Below is what each fill costs at the Maryland 2026 statewide average. Real-world quotes vary 10-15% above or below this average depending on supplier tier, contract type, and county, Eastern Shore and Western Maryland routinely run $0.15-$0.40/gal above; the Baltimore-Washington corridor with multiple competing suppliers can run slightly below.

Tank size	Usable gallons (80%)	Fill cost at $3.74/gal	vs national ($2.67/gal)
100 gal	80 gal	$299	+$85
250 gal	200 gal	$748	+$213
500 gal	400 gal	$1496	+$427
1000 gal	800 gal	$2993	+$854

Compare to the national refill cost guide or check pricing in other states.

Maryland Heating Season, Annual Use & Energy Assistance

Maryland's residential heating season runs roughly five months, November through March, with peak demand in January and February. Garrett and Allegany counties in Western Maryland average 6,500-7,500 heating degree days per year (closer to a Pennsylvania or upstate-New-York climate); the Baltimore-Washington corridor and Eastern Shore average 4,500-5,500 HDD. That 2,000+ HDD spread means Western Maryland propane households can burn 30-50% more fuel per heated square foot than an equivalent home in Annapolis or Salisbury.

Typical Maryland propane-heat households consume 800-1,200 gallons per year for full propane heating, water heating, range and dryer; second-home Eastern Shore and Deep Creek Lake households on intermittent occupancy run 300-600 gallons; cooking-and-water-heat-only households run 150-300 gallons. At the 2026 Maryland average of $3.74/gal, a 1,000-gallon-year household pays $$3741 in fuel alone, before tank rental, delivery surcharges or service contracts. That is roughly $$1067 more per year than a comparable household paying the national average.

OHEP MEAP energy assistance for income-qualified households. The Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) is administered by the Department of Human Services and runs three components: MEAP (Maryland Energy Assistance Program) for heating bills, EUSP (Electric Universal Service Program) for regulated electric utility bills, and ABP (Arrearage Retirement Program) for past-due balances up to $2,000 every seven years. Propane households use MEAP, grants are paid directly to your licensed fuel vendor. Eligibility caps at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (or 60% of State Median Income, whichever is higher). Apply year-round at dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs, check status at myohepstatus.org, or apply through your county Local Administering Agency (Community Action Agency or county DSS). On the Eastern Shore and in Garrett/Allegany counties, apply before October, winter delivery slots fill fast on rural routes.

Summer pre-buy is the single biggest lever in Maryland. Pre-buying or capping in May-July routinely saves $300-$500 per year for a 1,000-gallon household versus paying winter spot rates. The Maryland-specific timing wrinkle: hurricane season opens 1 June, and Eastern Shore retail rates can spike $0.10-$0.25/gal during named-storm weeks as generator-fill demand surges. Lock your pre-buy by mid-May to avoid both the storm premium and the fall enrolment-cutoff scramble.

Chesapeake Bay marina propane. Maryland has roughly 600 marinas and a high concentration of liveaboard and seasonal-cruiser propane demand from Annapolis through the Eastern Shore. Marina retail propane (cylinder swap and bulk fill at the dock) typically prices $1.50-$3.00/gal above the residential statewide average due to small-volume handling and dock liability. For sailboat and trawler liveaboards, the cheapest play is shore-side bulk fill at a residential supplier's yard rather than dockside swap. Confirm in advance that the supplier accepts non-residential cylinders.

Maryland vs Other South-Region States (2026)

The US Census Bureau places Maryland in the South region alongside the Gulf Coast states, but Maryland's residential propane market behaves like a Northeast market. Distance from Gulf production, natural-gas dominance in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, and rural Eastern Shore route economics put it in a different cost structure from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma or even Virginia.

State	Region	Price/gal	500-gal refill (400 usable)	vs national ($2.67)
Florida	South	$4.71	$1882	+76%
Maryland (this page)	South	$3.74	$1496	+40%
Virginia	South	$3.56	$1426	+33%
Alabama	South	$3.52	$1406	+31%
South Carolina	South	$3.51	$1405	+31%
West Virginia	South	$3.51	$1405	+31%
North Carolina	South	$3.45	$1380	+29%
Tennessee	South	$3.25	$1299	+21%
Georgia	South	$3.16	$1266	+18%
Mississippi	South	$3.05	$1221	+14%
Texas	South	$2.99	$1196	+12%
Kentucky	South	$2.94	$1174	+10%
Louisiana	South	$2.93	$1172	+10%
Arkansas	South	$2.37	$947	-11%
Oklahoma	South	$2.27	$909	-15%

Maryland sits second-most-expensive in the South region, behind only Florida. The full South region averages $3.26/gal, weighed heavily by cheap Gulf states (TX, LA, OK, AR) and pulled up by Maryland, Florida, Delaware and Georgia.

Maryland Propane FAQ

Why is propane so expensive in Maryland compared to other South-region states?

Maryland is grouped with the South Census region but its 2026 average of $3.74/gal sits in the Northeast price tier, ahead of Connecticut ($4.12), New Jersey ($3.82), New Hampshire ($3.78) and Rhode Island ($3.76). The drivers are structural. Maryland has no Gulf Coast supply access; propane reaches the state via the Sunoco / Energy Transfer NGL pipeline through Pennsylvania and via rail-to-truck terminals in PA and NJ, the same logistics chain that prices the Northeast. The Baltimore-Washington corridor is dominated by Washington Gas and BGE natural-gas service, which keeps the residential propane customer base concentrated on the rural Eastern Shore (Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester counties) and Western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany), where low route density pushes per-gallon overhead up. The South regional average is $3.26/gal, putting Maryland +15% above the regional norm and +40% above the $2.67 national mark.

Am I eligible for Maryland's Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) propane assistance?

Yes, if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (or 60% of the State Median Income, whichever is higher). OHEP is administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services and runs three components that interact: MEAP (Maryland Energy Assistance Program) pays the heating bill directly to your propane supplier or oil dealer, EUSP (Electric Universal Service Program) handles regulated electric utility bills, and ABP (Arrearage Retirement Program) clears past-due balances up to $2,000 once every seven years. Propane households use MEAP, grants are paid directly to the licensed fuel vendor, and you do not need a shut-off notice to qualify. Apply year-round at dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs or check status at myohepstatus.org. On the Eastern Shore and in Garrett/Allegany counties, applications run through the Local Administering Agency, typically a Community Action Agency or county Department of Social Services. Apply before October if possible, winter delivery slots fill fast on rural routes.

How do I find a licensed propane installer or gas fitter in Maryland?

Maryland is unusual: propane gas fitters are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Plumbing (a Department of Labor agency), not the Fire Marshal or HVAC Board. Search the Maryland OneStop portal at onestop.md.gov for "Propane Gas Fitter Certification" to confirm an installer is currently certified before they touch your tank, regulator or appliance lines. The Maryland State Fire Marshal enforces the LP-Gas Code (NFPA 58 with Maryland-specific amendments under COMAR Title 29) for tank siting, transport and bulk storage, but does not issue dealer-level licenses. The Mid-Atlantic Propane Gas Association (MAPGA, mapga.org) covers Maryland and Delaware, its membership list is a useful cross-check on supplier reputation, though MAPGA itself is a trade association rather than a regulator. The standard rule applies: get three quotes, never let an uncertified person work on a propane line, and confirm the dealer is registered with the Comptroller of Maryland's Motor Fuel Tax office before signing.

I live on the Eastern Shore. Why is propane more expensive here than in Baltimore County?

Two reasons: route economics and competitive density. The Eastern Shore (Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne's, Kent, Cecil counties) has propane as the dominant residential heating fuel because Washington Gas and BGE never extended natural-gas mains east of the Chesapeake. That sounds like it should produce competitive supplier density, but the population is rural, fewer customers per route mile means each delivery truck covers more ground per gallon sold. Suppliers price that overhead in. Baltimore County by contrast has natural gas on every populated street, so propane is largely confined to outlying neighbourhoods and outdoor uses (grills, generators, pool heaters), but the routes that do exist are dense and competitive. Eastern Shore households commonly pay $0.15-$0.40/gal above the Maryland statewide average; a 500-gallon refill at the Eastern Shore premium runs roughly $1556-$1656 versus $1496 at the statewide average. Counter-strategies: own your tank outright, fuel-share with neighbours on the same route, and pre-buy in May-July before hurricane-season generator demand spikes.

Should I switch from natural gas to propane in the Baltimore-Washington corridor?

Almost never. Within BGE's and Washington Gas's service territories, natural gas is delivered via mains at a per-therm cost that translates to roughly $1.50-$2.20 per "propane-equivalent gallon" (one gallon of propane equals about 0.92 therms of natural gas in usable BTU). At Maryland's current $3.74/gal propane rate, natural gas is roughly 30-50% cheaper per BTU, with no tank rental, no delivery scheduling, and no 80%-fill rule. The reverse switch (natural gas to propane) only makes sense in three cases: (1) you are off-main and the gas-utility line-extension quote exceeds $15,000-$25,000, (2) you specifically need fuel resilience for outage-prone areas (rare in BGE territory, more common in rural Western Maryland and Eastern Shore), or (3) you are running a high-BTU appliance like a commercial range or pool heater that the gas main cannot supply at adequate pressure. For a typical Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery or Prince George's county home with natural gas already at the meter, do not switch.

How does Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act affect propane homeowners?

The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 commits Maryland to 60% greenhouse-gas reduction below 2006 levels by 2031 and net-zero by 2045. The practical near-term effect on residential propane households is via the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), which currently apply to commercial and multifamily buildings over 35,000 sqft, not single-family homes. So a typical Eastern Shore or Western Maryland household burning propane for heat is not directly mandated to switch. What is changing: state and county incentive programs are tilting toward heat pumps and weatherization rather than fuel-system replacements. The Maryland Energy Administration EmPOWER program, BGE Smart Energy Savers and Pepco rebate programs increasingly fund cold-climate heat pump installations and induction-stove conversions, and electrification incentives stack with federal IRA tax credits. If your propane furnace is approaching 15+ years old, run the numbers on a heat-pump-plus-resistance-backup system before committing to a like-for-like propane replacement. For homes off the gas main with no near-term electrification path, propane remains compliant and unrestricted; just expect rebate availability to skew toward electric over time.

When is the cheapest time to fill a propane tank in Maryland?

Late spring through midsummer (typically May through July). Maryland propane suppliers offer pre-buy contracts (lock a per-gallon rate for the upcoming winter) and cap-price contracts (set a ceiling but benefit if wholesale falls) during the off-season. On the Eastern Shore there is a second timing factor: Atlantic hurricane season opens 1 June and the rush of generator-fill demand can push retail rates up $0.10-$0.25/gal in any week with a named storm in the basin. Practical play: top up by the end of May, before either hurricane premium or fall pre-buy enrolment closes. At the current Maryland rate of $3.74/gal, a pre-buy discount of $0.30-$0.50/gal on a 1,000-gallon-year household saves $300-$500 per heating season. Read the contract: fixed pre-buy locks you in either direction, while cap-price preserves downside. If your tank is below 30% in October, fill it; do not wait for January hoping prices fall.

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

Maryland Propane Pricing Snapshot (2026)

Why Maryland Propane Prices Sit Where They Do

Maryland Propane Companies: Supplier Tiers

AmeriGas

Suburban Propane

Maryland regional family operator (verify)

Maryland regional family operator #2 (verify)

Eastern Shore propane operator (verify)

Maryland regional dual-fuel operator (verify)

Maryland local independent (verify)

Maryland local independent #2 (verify)

Maryland local independent #3 (verify)

Maryland Propane Fill Costs by Tank Size (at $3.74/gal)

Maryland Heating Season, Annual Use & Energy Assistance

Maryland vs Other South-Region States (2026)

Maryland Propane FAQ

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