Where to Buy Ice: 38 Best Places That Sell It Cheap

When you’re throwing a party this Labor Day weekend or just trying to stay cool during the scorching last days of summer, ya gotta have plenty of ice on hand — and your fridge can only make so much. But buying bags of ice can get pretty pricey, right? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you where to buy ice near you without overpaying.

Convenience stores aren’t your only option, y’know. We’ve scoured supermarkets and some unexpected places, like fast-food chains, to find the best deals on bags of ice.

Sit back and find a beverage. Here’s everywhere you can get cheap ice near you. (And if you’re looking for more than just ice deals, we’ve collected all the food deals near you, too.)

NOTE: Availability and pricing may vary per location and region, so make sure to call ahead and make sure that they’re selling bags of ice.

Where to Buy Ice at Fast-Food Restaurants

Did you know that most fast-food restaurants sell their ice to their customers? Some will even allow you to order it through their app or website.

The cheapest option that we’ve seen is from Sonic Drive-In, where they sell a 10-pound bag of ice for $1.99 or $0.20/lb. Here’s where you can purchase ice at fast-food restaurants:

$0.30/lb: Burger King

Burger King sells 10-pound bags of ice for $2.99 each — or $0.30/lb.

We know all the Burger King deals that will get you free Whoppers and more.

$0.28/lb: Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A doesn’t just sell sandwiches. You can get 6-pound bags of their ice for $1.69 (or $0.28/lb).

While you won’t be able to get any discounts on their ice, you can use the Chick-fil-A app to get free sandwiches and more.

$0.60/lb: McDonald’s

You can purchase a 5-pound bag of ice from McDonald’s for $2.99 — $0.60/lb.

This is just one of the several McDonald’s specials that can save you money.

$0.20/lb: Sonic Drive-In

At Sonic Drive-In, you can grab a 10-pound bag of ice for $1.99 or $0.20/lb.

Looking for a way to get discounted Sonic slushes? Check out the Sonic happy hour every day between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Where to Buy Ice at Grocery Stores

Grocery stores will either have ice in a freezer outside the store or in the frozen section. You can purchase the cheapest bag of ice from Costco at $0.13/lb when you purchase a 20-pound bag for $2.59. Here’s how all the various grocery stores’ ice prices — generally speaking — shake out:

$0.43/lb: Albertsons

• 7-pound bag: $2.99 ($0.43/lb)

$0.22/lb: BJ’s Whole Foods

• 20-pound bag: $4.49 ($0.22/lb)

$0.13/lb: Costco

• 20-pound bag: $2.59 ($0.13/lb)

$0.20+/lb: Cub Foods

• 5-pound bag: $2.99 ($0.60/lb)

• 10-pound bag: $1.99 ($0.20/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.31/lb)

$0.20+/lb: Food Giant

• 8-pound bag: $1.99 ($0.25/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $3.99 ($0.20/lb)

$0.31+/lb: Food Lion

• 7-pound bag: $2.79 ($0.40/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.31/lb)

$0.25/lb: Fred Meyer

• 10-pound bag: $2.50 ($0.25/lb)

$0.33/lb: Giant Eagle

• 7-pound bag: $2.29 ($0.33/lb)

$0.38+/lb: Giant Food

• 5-pound bag: $2.59 ($0.52/lb)

• 10-pound bag: $3.79 ($0.38/lb)

$0.33/lb: Harris Teeter

• 7-pound bag: $2.29 ($0.33/lb)

$0.30/lb: H-E-B

• 7-pound bag: $2.08 ($0.30/lb)

$0.31+/lb: Hy-Vee

• 8-pound bag: $3.39 ($0.42/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $6.29 ($0.31/lb)

$0.27+/lb: Kroger

• 7-pound bag: $2.49 ($0.36/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $5.49 ($0.27/lb)

$0.34+/lb: Price Chopper

• 5-pound bag: $3.09 ($0.62/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $5.39 ($0.34/lb)

$0.21+/lb: Publix

• 7-pound bag: $1.92 ($0.27/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $3.29 ($0.21/lb)

$0.32+/lb: Safeway

• 9-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.55/lb)

• 10-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.50/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $6.49 ($0.32/lb)

$0.15/lb: Sam’s Club

• 24-pound bag: $3.48 ($0.15/lb)

$0.31/lb: ShopRite

• 16-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.31/lb)

$0.20+/lb: Target

• 6-pound bag: $2.29 ($0.38/lb)

• 7-pound bag: $2.49 ($0.36/lb)

• 7-pound bag: $2.29 ($0.33/lb)

• 10-pound bag: $1.99 ($0.20/lb)

$0.20/lb: Walmart

• 7-pound bag: $1.38 ($0.20/lb)

• 10-pound bag: $2 ($0.20/lb)

$0.37+/lb: Wegmans

• 7-pound bag: $3.99 ($0.57/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $5.99 ($0.37/lb)

$0.38/lb: Whole Foods

• 7-pound bag: $2.69 ($0.38/lb)

Where to Buy Ice at Gas Stations

You’ll be able to find ice coolers outside most gas stations. Prices range from $0.25/lb to $0.71/lb, with the cheapest ice coming from Family Express at $4.99 for a 20-pound bag of ice.

Here’s a list of gas stations that sell bags of ice:

$0.30+/lb: 7-Eleven

• 7-pound bag: $2.99 ($0.43/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $6 ($0.30/lb)

$0.31+/lb: BP

• 7-pound bag: $2.75 ($0.39/lb)

• 21-pound bag: $6.50 ($0.31/lb)

$0.37+/lb: Casey’s General Store

• 5-pound bag: $2.99 ($0.60/lb)

• 16-pound bag: $5.99 ($0.37/lb)

$0.35+/lb: Chevron

• 8-pound bag: $3.59 ($0.45/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $6.99 ($0.35/lb)

$0.32+/lb: Circle K

• 8-pound bag: $2.89 ($0.36/lb)

• 22-pound bag: $7 ($0.32/lb)

$0.58/lb: Cumberland Farms

• 5-pound bag: $2.89 ($0.58/lb)

$0.30/lb: ExxonMobil

• 20-pound bag: $6 ($0.30/lb)

$0.25+/lb: Family Express

• 8-pound bag: $2.39 ($0.30/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $4.99 ($0.25/lb)

$0.30+/lb: Kwik Trip

• 7-pound bag: $2.49 ($0.36/lb)

• 20-pound bag: $5.99 ($0.30/lb)

$0.32/lb: Sheetz

• 22-pound bag: $6.99 ($0.32/lb)

$0.28/lb: Walgreens

• 7-pound bag: $1.99 ($0.28/lb)

$0.71/lb: Wawa

• 7-pound bag: $5 ($0.71/lb)

Where to Buy Ice: The Overall Top 10 Best Deals

1. Costco 20-pound bag for $2.59: $0.13/lb

2. Sam’s Club 24-pound bag for $3.48: $0.15/lb

3. (tie) Sonic Drive-In 10-pound bag for $1.99: $0.20/lb

4. (tie) Food Giant 20-pound bag for $3.99: $0.20/lb

5. (tie) Cub Foods 10-pound bag for $1.99: $0.20/lb

6. (tie)Walmart 10-pound bag for $2: $0.20/lb

7. (tie) Target 10-pound bag for $1.99: $0.20/lb

8. Publix 16-pound bag for $3.29: $0.21/lb

9. BJ’s Whole Foods 20-pound bag for $4.49: $0.22/lb

10. Family Express 20-pound bag for $4.99: $0.25/lb