Where To Buy Dry Ice in Atlanta: A Local Guide

If you need dry ice in Atlanta, Georgia—whether it’s for a party, camping trip, science project, shipping frozen food, or an emergency power outage—you have several reliable options across the metro area. This guide walks you through where to buy dry ice in Atlanta, what to expect, and how to handle it safely.

Quick Overview: Common Places to Buy Dry Ice in Atlanta

Across the Atlanta area, dry ice is most commonly sold at:

• Large grocery stores and supermarkets
• Warehouse clubs
• Gas and convenience stores (select locations)
• Ice and gas supply companies
• Specialty and industrial gas suppliers
• Some party supply and event-focused stores

Not every location in a chain will stock dry ice, so it’s smart to call ahead before you go.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets

Many Atlantans get dry ice from large supermarket chains, especially near INTown and in the suburbs.

Typical patterns:

• Dry ice is usually found near the front of the store in a special freezer or chest.
• Sold by the pound, often in small blocks or pellets.
• Stock may be higher around summer weekends, holidays, and big event days.

Tips for Grocery Store Dry Ice in Atlanta

• ✅ Call your nearest location first. Even within the same chain, some Atlanta stores carry dry ice and others don’t.
• ✅ Ask for “dry ice availability and price per pound”.
• ✅ Ask whether they have blocks, pellets, or both, depending on your use (blocks last longer; pellets are easier for experiments or cocktails).

You’ll find dry ice at various supermarkets throughout Atlanta neighborhoods such as Buckhead, Midtown, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Duluth, but availability can change, so a quick phone call saves time.

Warehouse Clubs in the Atlanta Area

If you’re buying dry ice in larger quantities for events, shipping, or catering, warehouse clubs around Atlanta can be a good option.

Common characteristics:

• Often sell dry ice in larger blocks.
• Typically located in major retail corridors such as:
  • The I-85 corridor (Duluth, Norcross)
  • I-285 perimeter (Sandy Springs, Tucker, Smyrna)
  • Southside (Union City, Morrow, Stockbridge)
• You will usually need a membership for in-store purchase.

💡 Pro tip for events in Atlanta: If you’re planning a big gathering in areas like West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or East Atlanta Village and need dry ice for coolers or special effects, consider a warehouse club stop on your way from the perimeter.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

Some larger gas station or travel center locations in the Atlanta region sell dry ice, especially along major highways like:

• I-75 / I-85 through Downtown/Midtown
• I-20 running east–west
• I-285 around the perimeter

Availability is more hit-or-miss than supermarkets.

If you’re driving through Atlanta or heading out of town:

• Call ahead to larger gas or travel plazas along your route.
• Ask specifically whether they currently have dry ice in stock.

This can be useful if you’re traveling with perishable food or transporting frozen items from Atlanta to another city.

Ice Companies and Industrial Gas Suppliers

For larger needs—like restaurant use, catering for big events, shipping frozen goods, or special effects for film/theater—industrial gas suppliers and ice companies are popular in the Atlanta area.

These businesses often:

• Sell dry ice in blocks, slices, or pellets.
• May offer bulk pricing.
• Sometimes provide delivery to businesses or event venues in Atlanta.

They are often located in or near industrial corridors such as:

• Fulton Industrial Boulevard area
• South Atlanta industrial zones
• Doraville / Chamblee / Norcross industrial parks
• Austell / Lithia Springs region

If you contact an industrial gas company:

1. Ask if they sell to the public or only to businesses.
2. Confirm minimum order amounts.
3. Ask about pickup times and whether you need special containers.

Party, Event, and Special Effects Uses in Atlanta

Atlanta’s film, TV, and events scene means dry ice is sometimes needed for fog effects, smoking cocktails, or dramatic presentations.

For that kind of use:

• Event supply companies and special effects providers in the Atlanta metro may either:
  • Sell dry ice directly, or
  • Direct you to their preferred dry ice supplier.
• Some theater and production supply shops can advise on where local crews source dry ice for stage and screen.

If you’re coordinating a wedding in Midtown, a Halloween event in Grant Park, or a performance in Little Five Points, it can be helpful to ask your venue, caterer, or production company which Atlanta-area supplier they use for dry ice.

How Much Dry Ice Should You Buy in Atlanta?

The amount you need doesn’t change by city, but how you transport and store it in Atlanta’s climate does.

General guidelines:

• For coolers:
  • About 5–10 pounds of dry ice can often keep a medium cooler cold for 12–24 hours, depending on how often it’s opened and outdoor temperatures.
• For multi-day trips from Atlanta (e.g., to the Georgia coast, North Georgia mountains):
  • You may need 10–20 pounds or more, divided into sections inside the cooler.
• For small experiments or fog effects:
  • A few pounds of pellets or small chunks may be enough.

Atlanta’s warm, humid weather—especially in summer—means dry ice may sublimate (evaporate) faster outdoors. Plan for:

• Extra insulation (towels or paper over the dry ice).
• Minimal cooler-opening if you’re outdoors in places like Piedmont Park, Lake Lanier, or Stone Mountain.

Storing and Transporting Dry Ice in Atlanta

Because dry ice turns directly from a solid into gas, safe handling is important, especially in vehicles and homes around Atlanta.

Temperature and Cooling

• Dry ice is extremely cold (well below what household freezers can handle).
• Do not store it in a sealed, airtight container, as pressure can build up.

Transporting in a Car

This matters for Atlanta drivers in busy traffic and on long highway stretches:

• Keep dry ice in a well-ventilated area of your vehicle.
• Avoid fully sealed trunks for long periods without airflow.
• If you’re stuck in I-75/I-85 “Downtown Connector” traffic or on I-285, crack a window to maintain fresh air.

Home and Apartment Considerations

In Atlanta’s many high-rise apartments and condos:

• Store dry ice in a cool, ventilated area away from children and pets.
• Do not store large quantities in tiny, unventilated rooms or sealed spaces.

Safety Tips for Using Dry Ice

Wherever you buy it in Atlanta, the safety rules are the same:

• Use gloves or tongs. Never handle dry ice with bare hands; it can cause cold burns.
• Keep away from kids and pets. Treat it like a hazardous material, not a toy.
• Ventilation is essential. Dry ice turns into carbon dioxide gas, so good airflow is important.
• Don’t seal it tightly. Containers can rupture if gas builds up.

If you’re using dry ice for school projects in APS (Atlanta Public Schools), private schools, or local universities around Midtown or Decatur, follow the institution’s lab safety or classroom guidelines as well.

Simple Planning Checklist for Buying Dry Ice in Atlanta

Use this quick guide before you head out:

When Buying Dry Ice in Atlanta Makes Sense

People in Atlanta commonly buy dry ice for:

• Power outages after severe storms or hurricanes passing through Georgia.
• Camping trips to the North Georgia mountains, lakes, or nearby states.
• Road trips starting in Atlanta to keep frozen food or breast milk cold.
• Catering and food service, especially for outdoor events around the BeltLine, parks, or rooftop venues.
• Science experiments in classrooms or at home.
• Fog and special effects for theater, film shoots, and themed events.

If you fit one of these situations, use the options above to find a convenient Atlanta-area dry ice seller, call ahead, and plan your pickup around traffic and temperature so your dry ice works the way you need it to.