Propane cylinder delivery service

Deliver and swap propane cylinders for homes, RV parks, campgrounds and food trucks in your area.

Row of bottled gas cylinders stacked outside a shop.
Startup cost$15k to $60k
Monthly revenue$4k to $20k
Time needed20+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $15k-60k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

7,703 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year

NAICS 454310 “Fuel dealers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A small delivery route using a truck or van fitted with racks to drop off full cylinders and collect empties, sold by order or on a regular schedule.

Your first three steps

  1. Ask your state fire marshal or propane board what licensing and training apply to transporting and selling cylinders
  2. Line up a wholesale supplier to buy filled cylinders or refill from, and compare prices
  3. Contact RV parks, campgrounds and food truck groups nearby to see who would sign up for regular delivery
Who pays

Rural households, RV parks and campgrounds, food trucks, event caterers and small contractors who do not want to haul tanks.

How it makes money

Price per cylinder plus a delivery fee, with recurring route customers and bulk orders from businesses adding steady volume.

Skills that help
  • Safe driving and handling heavy cylinders
  • Route planning
  • Customer service and record keeping
Watch out for
  • Rules for carrying flammable gas, including vehicle racks, ventilation, placards and driver requirements, check with the US DOT and your state
  • Commercial auto and general liability insurance that covers hazardous cargo, confirm coverage with a broker
  • Some states require a propane dealer license even for small delivery, check your state's rules
  • Heavy lifting and injury risk, plan for lifting aids or a second person
  • Local rules on storing full cylinders at your home or yard, check zoning and fire code

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: propane cylinder delivery service

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a propane cylinder delivery business?

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the truck or van, racks, cylinders and insurance you need. These are estimates, and your total may differ based on whether you buy a vehicle used or new.

How much can a propane delivery service earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your route, number of customers and how often they reorder. These are estimates, not guarantees, and they assume at least about 20 hours of work a week.

What rules should I check before delivering propane cylinders?

Check rules for carrying flammable gas, including racks, ventilation, placards and driver requirements, with the US DOT and your state. Also check whether your state requires a propane dealer license, confirm hazardous cargo insurance, and review local zoning and fire code for storage.

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Photo: Bru-nO on Pixabay

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