Where To Buy Dry Ice in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide

Dry ice is handy in Atlanta for everything from keeping food cold on long drives down I‑75, to Halloween fog effects, science projects, or emergency cooling during power outages. If you’re searching for where to buy dry ice in Atlanta, you have several reliable options across the metro area.

This guide explains where to find dry ice locally, what to expect when you buy it, and how to handle it safely.

Quick Overview: Main Places to Buy Dry Ice in Atlanta

Most people in Atlanta find dry ice at one of these types of locations:

• Major grocery store chains with larger freezer sections
• Gas and convenience stores in high-traffic areas
• Ice and gas suppliers (industrial / commercial)
• Party supply and special-effects shops
• Beverage, brewery, and restaurant suppliers (for bulk orders)

Here’s a simple snapshot of typical options:

Always call ahead to confirm availability—Atlanta stores don’t all stock dry ice every day.

Buying Dry Ice at Atlanta Grocery Stores

Many large supermarkets in the Atlanta area carry dry ice, especially:

• In high-traffic neighborhoods (Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, Sandy Springs, Decatur, and along major corridors like Peachtree, Ponce, and Roswell Road)
• Near college campuses (Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory), where demand is higher around move‑in and event seasons

In most stores, dry ice is:

• Kept in a separate chest freezer, often near the front of the store, customer service, or the regular bagged ice freezers.
• Sold by weight (per pound), usually in blocks or slabs you can break apart.

Common use cases for grocery-store dry ice in Atlanta:

• Road trips from Atlanta to the coast or mountains
• Shipping perishables to family in other states
• Emergency cooling during summer storms or outages
• Science fair projects at local schools

📝 Tip: Call the store’s customer service desk before you drive over and ask specifically, “Do you have dry ice in stock right now?” Availability can change day to day.

Gas Stations & Convenience Stores Around Atlanta

Some larger gas stations and convenience stores in Metro Atlanta also carry dry ice, particularly:

• Locations along major interstates: I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, I‑20, and GA‑400
• Busy corridors near Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Areas with heavy truck and travel traffic

These stores are convenient when:

• You’re already on the road and need to keep a cooler cold.
• You’re doing a last-minute pick-up for an event or camping trip.

Selection is usually smaller than grocery stores, and hours can vary by location. Call first and ask the clerk to physically check the dry ice freezer.

Industrial Ice & Gas Suppliers in the Atlanta Area

If you need larger quantities of dry ice—for a restaurant, lab, commercial kitchen, shipping operation, or a large event—consider calling industrial ice or compressed gas suppliers in Metro Atlanta.

These businesses typically:

• Offer bulk dry ice (blocks, pellets, or rice)
• Sometimes provide scheduled delivery to Atlanta addresses
• Are often located in or near industrial areas, distribution centers, or around Fulton, DeKalb, and Cobb industrial corridors

Common use cases:

• Catering and food distribution
• Breweries and distilleries
• Laboratories, universities, and research facilities
• Large events needing continuous fog or cold storage

Because these suppliers often serve commercial clients:

• You may need to set up an account or pre‑order.
• Some have minimum order quantities.
• Hours may be weekday‑focused, with limited weekend service.

📝 Tip: When you call, be ready to answer:

• How many pounds you need
• Whether you want blocks, pellets, or rice
• When and where you need it (pickup vs. delivery)

Party, Event, and Special-Effects Suppliers

Atlanta’s event and film scene is active, and some party supply and special‑effects shops carry dry ice for:

• Themed parties (Halloween, New Year’s, weddings with fog machines)
• Theater productions and live performances
• Film, video, and photography shoots

These shops are often clustered in areas with production studios, theaters, or event venues—for example:

• In and around Downtown and Midtown (near theaters, performance spaces, and film offices)
• In warehouse or studio districts where production companies operate

These businesses may offer:

• Dry ice pellets specifically for fog machines
• Advice on how much dry ice to buy based on room size or effect length
• Rental equipment (fog machines or special‑effects gear)

Because availability is highly event‑driven, it’s best to:

1. Call in advance and confirm they stock dry ice for retail sale.
2. Ask if they sell to individual consumers or only to production companies.

Beverage, Brewery, and Restaurant Supply Outlets

Atlanta has a large and growing food and beverage scene—from breweries and cocktail bars in West Midtown and the BeltLine to restaurants across Buckhead, Inman Park, and Decatur.

Some beverage and restaurant supply businesses in the metro area may:

• Carry dry ice for specialty cocktails, draft systems, and cold chain needs
• Sell to both business customers and, in some cases, the general public

You might encounter:

• Wholesale-only suppliers, which require a business account.
• Retail‑friendly suppliers that allow walk‑in customers to purchase smaller quantities.

If you’re hosting a large event in Atlanta and working with:

• A caterer
• A bartender service
• A brewery or distillery venue

Ask if they already have a preferred dry ice supplier and whether they can order and store it for you.

Typical Costs & How Much to Buy in Atlanta

Prices vary by location, but in Atlanta you can expect:

• Dry ice is usually sold per pound.
• Smaller purchases (5–20 lbs) are common for household and event use.
• Bulk orders can run 50–100+ lbs, depending on your needs.

How much you need depends on:

• Duration (how many hours or days you’re cooling or running an effect)
• Container size and insulation quality
• Whether you’re using it for cooling or fog effects

A rough starting point many Atlanta shoppers use for coolers:

• Day trips or tailgates: 5–10 lbs
• Overnight or weekend trips: 10–20 lbs, depending on cooler size and outside temperature
• Shipping frozen items: Depends on distance and transit time; consult the shipper’s guidelines.

🧊 Remember: Dry ice sublimates (turns to gas), especially in Atlanta’s heat and humidity. Buying it as close to the time of use as possible reduces waste.

Safety Tips for Handling Dry Ice in Atlanta

No matter where you buy dry ice in Atlanta, follow basic safety precautions:

1. Protect Your Skin

• Always use thick gloves, tongs, or a scoop.
• Do not handle dry ice with bare hands. It can cause cold burns quickly.

2. Use Proper Ventilation

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂). As it sublimates, it becomes gas:

• Avoid storing it in small, closed rooms or cars with windows fully up.
• When transporting in your car:
  • Keep windows slightly cracked open.
  • Do not leave dry ice in the car for long periods with people inside.

3. Never Seal It Tightly

• Do not put dry ice into airtight containers (like sealed glass jars or tightly capped bottles).
• Gas buildup can cause the container to burst.

4. Keep Away from Children and Pets

• Treat dry ice as a hazardous material around kids.
• Store it out of reach and explain not to touch or play with it.

Buying Dry Ice for Shipping from Atlanta

If you’re using dry ice to ship items from Atlanta (for example, frozen food to another state), consider:

• Carrier rules: Major shipping carriers have specific rules on:

  • Maximum dry ice weight allowed
  • Package labeling requirements
  • Whether you must declare the contents

• Packaging:

  • Use a sturdy insulated container (like a foam cooler inside a cardboard box).
  • Allow some ventilation so gas can escape.

Before you pack:

• Check with the shipping service you plan to use for their most current guidelines.
• Ask how much dry ice they recommend for your transit time and distance.

When Dry Ice Is Most in Demand in Atlanta

Dry ice availability can tighten in Atlanta during:

• Summer heat waves, when more people need emergency cooling or travel with perishables
• Hurricane or severe storm seasons, when outages affect nearby regions
• Holiday seasons (especially Halloween and New Year’s) for parties and fog effects
• Major events, festivals, and large conventions

To avoid last‑minute shortages:

• Reserve or pre‑order with industrial suppliers if you need large amounts.
• For small consumer amounts, call multiple nearby stores early in the day.

Practical Steps to Find Dry Ice Near You in Atlanta

To quickly locate dry ice in your part of Metro Atlanta:

1. Start with nearby large grocery stores

   • Call the customer service desk and ask:
     • “Do you carry dry ice?”
     • “Do you have any in stock right now?”
     • “How late can I buy it today?”

2. Check larger gas or travel centers along major highways

   • Focus on locations with big cooler sections and truck or RV traffic.

3. Contact local ice or gas suppliers

   • Ask if they sell to the public, their hours, and minimum order requirements.

4. If planning an event, ask your:

   • Caterer, venue, or production company which dry ice source they use in Atlanta.

By combining these local options—grocery stores, convenience stores, industrial suppliers, and event-focused businesses—you can almost always find a workable place to buy dry ice in the Atlanta area, whether you’re a resident, visitor, or planning from out of town.