Where to Buy Dry Ice: 47+ Stores That Sell It (Walmart, Safeway & More)

So, you need to find where to buy dry ice and have no idea where to start?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t need it very often since buying a few bags of ice is enough.

But for those rare times (maybe you’re going camping, shipping some frozen food, or want to make that classic spooky fog for Halloween), it’s totally normal to wonder where you can even find it.

I’ve had to buy dry ice a few times myself, so I put together this guide to make it easy for you.

Key Things to Know Before You Buy

• Where to Buy: Your best bet is usually a major grocery store like Walmart, Costco, Safeway, or Kroger.
• How Much Does Dry Ice Cost: Plan on spending somewhere between $1.00 and $3.00 per pound.
• Handling: You absolutely must wear thick, insulated gloves. Never, ever touch it with your bare hands. It will give you a nasty burn-like injury in seconds.
• Transport: Put it in an insulated cooler but make sure it’s not airtight. Crack a few windows in your car for ventilation.
• Storage: Trust me on this one: NEVER store dry ice in a sealed container or your regular home freezer. The gas pressure can cause an explosion.

Find Dry Ice Near You

Use this map to find locations near you.

For best results, click “View larger map” (a new window will open with a search bar where you can type in any city, address, or zip code.)

Places That Sell Dry Ice

Before we get to the list, let me answer one of the most often asked questions about who sells dry ice, “Does Walmart sell dry ice?“.

The answer is yes, Walmart does sell dry ice, as you will see from the list below!

Now a lot of the big grocery stores near you probably carry dry ice.

The tricky part is, they don’t just leave it out in the aisles.

You’ll usually have to ask an employee or the store manager for it.

Since you’re already there, it’s a perfect time to use a few tricks to save money on your other groceries as well.

Here’s my most important tip: Always call your local store first to make sure they have it. It’ll save you a wasted trip, as some locations carry it while others don’t.

Major National Supermarkets & Grocery Stores

These are your most reliable options and are often the most convenient since you can get it during your regular grocery trip.

You will almost always have to ask an employee at the service desk for it.

1. Walmart
2. Kroger
3. Safeway
4. Albertsons
5. Publix
6. Meijer
7. H-E-B
8. Hy-Vee
9. Winn-Dixie

Warehouse Clubs & Bulk Grocers

If you need a larger quantity, these stores can be a good choice. Check near the regular ice freezers or ask customer service.

• Costco
• Chef’Store
• Smart & Final
• WinCo Foods

Regional & Specialty Grocery Stores

• Acme Markets
• Dillons
• Fred Meyer
• Gelson’s Market
• Giant Food Stores
• Harris Teeter
• Ingles Markets
• King Soopers
• Ralphs
• Smith’s
• Tom Thumb
• Vons
• Weis Markets
• Wegmans
• Whole Foods Market

Gas Stations that Sell Dry Ice Near You

Many large, modern gas station chains now carry dry ice, usually in a dedicated Penguin Brand freezer.

By the way, some of these gas stations may only have dry ice at select locations. That’s why you should call ahead at your local station to ask if they sell dry ice. You don’t want to waste a trip, right? So, give your nearby station a call before you head out!

Here’s a list of gas stations that sell dry ice.

• 7-Eleven
• Wawa
• Sheetz
• QuikTrip
• Speedway
• Maverik
• Hy-Vee Gas Stations
• Weigel’s

Where to Buy Dry Ice Online

This is your best option for buying in bulk or if you need specific pellet sizes.

Some companies and even online grocery stores let you order dry ice online and have it delivered right to your home.

Keep in mind you will lose some of the product to sublimation during shipping.

Here’s a list of places that sell dry ice online:

• AirGas
• Continental Carbonic
• Dry Ice Corp
• Dry Ice Delivered
• Amazon (Often fulfilled by other suppliers)

Other Places to Get Dry Ice

Okay, so above, you have quite a lot of places to buy dry ice including grocery stores, gas stations, and online delivery companies. Those aren’t your only options for getting dry ice near you, though.

There are a few other places where you can buy dry ice.

Butcher shops

Since many butchers use dry ice to store meat, they may offer some of their excess dry ice for sale.

Contact local butcher shops to see if they have any dry ice for sale. To find butcher shops near you, simply enter the phrase “butcher shop near me” into Google and hit enter. You’ll get a list of places near you and their contact information. Start calling butcher shops to enquire about dry ice.

Some FedEx locations

Some FedEx locations may provide dry ice for packaging and mailing products that need to be kept cold, like frozen meat or fish.

Just contact your local FedEx to ask if it has any dry ice for sale.

Some UPS Stores

Some UPS stores have dry ice, again for packing and mailing products that need to be kept cold, like fish or frozen meat. So, contact your local UPS store to ask if they have any dry ice for sale.

Local ice companies

There could be local ice companies in your city that sell dry ice.

For example, in the Midwest, Arctic Ice is one of the biggest dry ice manufacturers and sellers. They sell dry ice in bulk or small quantities like a 5 or 10-lb block.

Here are a few regional dry ice companies that may have locations around you:

• CK Supply
• Penguin Brand Dry Ice
• Arctic Ice Inc
• Airgas Dry Ice

To find places near you, simply enter the phrase “dry ice company near me” or “dry ice company [name of your town or city]” into Google and hit enter. This should show you any ice companies that sell dry ice near you. Contact them to ask if they sell dry ice.

SAFETY WARNINGS: How to Handle Dry Ice

Okay, let’s talk safety.

This stuff is amazing, but it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Please read this section carefully so you know how to work safely with dry ice.

Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide (-109°F / -78.5°C) and can be hazardous if handled improperly. According to authorities like the CDC and Cornell University, you have to follow these rules.

NEVER, EVER TOUCH DRY ICE WITH YOUR BARE SKIN. It causes instantaneous and severe frostbite, similar to a burn. Always wear thick, insulated gloves (leather work gloves or thick winter gloves are ideal) and safety glasses when handling it.

Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

Transporting Dry Ice

• Use a Non-Airtight Container: Use a styrofoam or regular cooler. DO NOT LATCH IT SHUT. As dry ice turns to gas, it needs to vent. In a sealed container, the pressure can build and cause a violent explosion.
• Ventilate Your Vehicle: If the cooler is in the main cabin of your car, crack open a few windows to allow fresh air to circulate. The CO2 gas it releases can displace oxygen in an enclosed space.

Storage and Disposal

• Do Not Store in a Freezer: Your home freezer is airtight and can explode. The extreme cold of dry ice can also shut down your freezer’s thermostat. Store it in a cooler in a well-ventilated area like a garage.
• Safe Disposal: To get rid of leftovers, just leave it in a safe, well-ventilated area (outside, on a porch, etc.) where children and pets cannot reach it. It will turn to gas and vanish on its own. Do not throw it in the trash or down the sink.

Dry Ice Explained

So What is Dry Ice Anyway?

Dry Ice is basically frozen carbon dioxide (CO2).

Unlike regular ice, it doesn’t melt into a puddle of water. It just turns directly into a gas, which is a process called sublimation. That’s why they call it “dry” ice!

Because it’s CO2, you can’t eat it or put it in your drinks.

If you’re looking for ice for a cooler of sodas, this isn’t it. Its main jobs are being a super-strong cooling agent (it can keep food frozen for days) and creating that awesome fog effect you see at concerts and parties.

Types of Dry Ice

You can usually buy it in a few forms:

• Blocks: Best for maximum cooling time, like for a long camping trip.
• Slabs: Good when you need to cover a large, flat surface.
• Pellets: Best for filling in gaps around items or for creating spooky fog effects, since they have more surface area and turn to gas faster.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many places where you can buy dry ice in bulk or small quantities, such as grocery stores, supermarkets, and big box retailers, like Walmart, Albertsons, and Kroger.

You can also buy dry ice at many gas stations like Speedway, 7-Eleven, and Wawa, butcher shops, and local ice stores. And, you can also order ice online and have it delivered to you.

So now that you know where to buy dry ice near you, it’s a matter of calling these stores to find the cheapest place that sells dry ice near you so you can save more money!