In short: There are about 697 public compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in 42 states, the most in California, Oklahoma and Texas. Search the map below for stations near you, and check access and payment before you go.
Map and station data: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator. Stations are listed by their owners and networks; check the network app before you drive.
What is compressed natural gas?
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is natural gas stored at high pressure (usually 3,600 psi) in strong tanks on the vehicle. It is mostly used by heavy, high-mileage fleets: transit buses, refuse trucks, delivery vans and some pickups converted to run on it or on both CNG and gasoline.
Stations are either “fast-fill” (fills like a gas pump, for public and fleet use) or “time-fill” (vehicles fill slowly overnight at a fleet yard). The map shows public stations.
Who uses it
Fleets above all: city buses, garbage trucks, utility and delivery trucks. Some individual drivers run converted bi-fuel pickups that can switch between CNG and gasoline.
Where the stations are
The U.S. Department of Energy lists 697 public compressed natural gas stations open in 42 states (October 2026). The states with the most:
- California (166)
- Oklahoma (72)
- Texas (57)
- Pennsylvania (32)
- Wisconsin (30)
- Ohio (30)
What CNG costs
CNG is sold by the gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE), the amount of gas with the same energy as a gallon of gasoline (about 5.66 pounds of CNG). That makes the price easy to compare. The latest U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities and Communities Alternative Fuel Price Report (April 2026, prices collected April 1–30, 2026) puts the national average at $3.08 per GGE, $1.01 less than gasoline at $4.09. Against diesel the gap is wider: $3.48 per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE), $2.07 less than diesel at $5.55.
| Region (April 2026) | CNG ($/GGE) | Gasoline ($/gal) | CNG ($/DGE) | Diesel ($/gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $4.03 | $3.94 | $4.55 | $5.55 |
| Central Atlantic | $2.97 | $3.92 | $3.35 | $5.66 |
| Lower Atlantic | $2.68 | $3.95 | $3.02 | $5.63 |
| Midwest | $2.88 | $3.72 | $3.25 | $5.07 |
| Gulf Coast | $3.11 | $3.74 | $3.52 | $5.40 |
| Rocky Mountain | $3.04 | $3.88 | $3.44 | $4.91 |
| West Coast | $3.30 | $5.69 | $3.73 | $7.16 |
| U.S. average | $3.08 | $4.09 | $3.48 | $5.55 |
CNG was cheaper than gasoline everywhere except New England (9 cents more per GGE), and cheaper than diesel in every region. Its price also barely moved: up 4 cents per GGE from January 2026, while gasoline rose $1.20 a gallon and diesel $1.98. Private fleet stations averaged $2.66 per GGE, against $3.14 at public stations.
Our example (an estimate, not a quote): the DOE says a CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy per GGE as a gasoline one. A bi-fuel pickup that gets 15 mpg would then cost about 21 cents a mile on CNG and 27 cents on gasoline, at April 2026 national averages. Over 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $3,080 against $4,090, a difference of about $1,000. That does not include the cost of the conversion. To compare with an electric pickup, try our EV charging cost calculator.
CNG vehicles you can get in 2026
Natural gas powers more than 175,000 vehicles in the U.S., according to the DOE. No automaker sells a CNG car today. The last factory models in the federal fuel economy database are the Honda Civic Natural Gas (through 2015) and the bi-fuel Chevrolet Impala (2015–2016). What is available:
- EPA-certified bi-fuel conversions of new pickups. EPA’s list of certified systems (updated September 2026) includes CNG-or-gasoline systems for model-year 2026 Ford F-150, F-250 and F-350, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD, and 2.7-liter Silverado, Sierra, Colorado and Canyon pickups.
- Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles from the makers: transit buses, school buses, refuse trucks and other work trucks with factory natural gas engines. The DOE’s Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search lists current models.
- Conversions of vehicles already on the road, using an EPA-certified system installed by a qualified retrofitter.
There are three kinds of natural gas vehicles. Dedicated ones run only on natural gas. Bi-fuel ones can switch between CNG and gasoline. Dual-fuel heavy trucks burn natural gas with a little diesel for ignition. Range is usually shorter than with gasoline or diesel, and extra tanks add range but take cargo space. The DOE notes that home fueling is possible with a small fueling appliance.
Programs and incentives (checked October 2026)
Federal (what we confirmed on IRS and DOE pages; rules change, so ask a tax professional):
- The 50-cent alternative fuel excise tax credit for natural gas has expired for fuel sold or used after December 31, 2024.
- The IRS describes the refueling property credit (Form 8911) only for equipment placed in service from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026: up to $1,000 per item at home, and up to $100,000 per item at a business.
- CNG carries a federal excise tax of $0.183 per GGE. Some uses are exempt, such as school buses and state or local government fleets.
- Natural gas trucks may weigh up to 2,000 pounds more than the federal limit for comparable trucks, as long as they stay at or under 82,000 pounds.
- EPA’s Clean School Bus program lists natural gas buses as eligible, and DERA grants fund cleaner diesel fleets. Check EPA for open rounds.
States (from DOE incentive listings):
- Texas (TERP, run by TCEQ): rebates of up to $5,000 for a new light-duty CNG vehicle, bi-fuel included. The Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program helps replace medium- and heavy-duty trucks, and other TERP grants help build fueling stations. Check TCEQ for application periods.
- Oklahoma: state income tax credits, for tax years beginning before December 31, 2028, for buying or converting a natural gas vehicle, up to 45% of commercial fueling equipment, and 50% (up to $2,500) of a home CNG fueling system.
- California: natural gas is covered by the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The San Joaquin Valley air district funds swapping old trucks for low-NOx alternative fuel trucks, and transit agencies’ CNG is exempt from county user taxes.
Supply and trends
- A tiny share of a huge supply. The U.S. used about 33.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Only about 53 billion cubic feet went into vehicles, less than 0.2%.
- Vehicle use has leveled off. EIA’s vehicle fuel figures rose from 49 billion cubic feet in 2020 to about 65 billion in 2022, held near 64 billion in 2024, and were lower in 2025.
- Fewer stations. DOE counts of public and private CNG stations peaked at 1,730 in 2016 and stood at 1,385 at the end of 2025. DOE points to closures, high repair and operating costs, and fleets moving away from CNG. About 697 public stations are open today (October 2026).
- Renewable natural gas (RNG) from landfills, farms and wastewater plants can be cleaned to pipeline quality. It works in any CNG vehicle with no changes.
Safety and tank inspections
- CNG is stored at up to 3,600 psi in tanks built and labeled to a federal safety standard (FMVSS 304).
- The required label says to inspect the tank after any accident or fire. It should also be inspected at least every 36 months or 36,000 miles on vehicles up to 10,000 pounds gross weight, and every 12 months on heavier ones.
- Every tank has a “Do Not Use After” date. Past it, the tank must be taken out of service and properly decommissioned.
- Natural gas engines are sensitive to spark quality, so keep plugs, wires and coils in good shape. Follow the maker’s oil-change interval.
- Station design and installation follow the NFPA 52 code; ask your local fire marshal about a home or fleet unit.
More CNG questions
How much does CNG cost compared with gasoline?
In April 2026 the national average was $3.08 per gasoline gallon equivalent, about $1 less than gasoline’s $4.09. That held in every region except New England. Because CNG is sold by the GGE, the pump price already accounts for the energy difference. Fleets at private stations paid less, about $2.66.
How often do CNG tanks need to be inspected?
The federal tank label calls for an inspection after any accident or fire. It also calls for one at least every 36 months or 36,000 miles on cars and light trucks, and every 12 months on vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Never use a tank past the “Do Not Use After” date printed on it.
Is there a federal tax credit for CNG in 2026?
Not for drivers that we could find. The 50-cent fuel credit expired at the end of 2024. The IRS describes the refueling equipment credit only for equipment placed in service through June 30, 2026. State programs, such as Texas TERP rebates and Oklahoma tax credits, are still listed. Ask a tax professional.
Before you go
- Check that the station is open to the public and which cards it takes: many accept only fleet fuel cards.
- Check the fill pressure the station offers matches your tank (3,600 psi is the U.S. standard for cars and trucks).
- Plan routes: CNG stations are far fewer than gas stations outside a few states.
Compressed natural gas station questions
What is the difference between CNG and LNG?
CNG is natural gas compressed into high-pressure tanks, used by buses, local trucks and some pickups. LNG is natural gas cooled to a liquid, used mainly by long-haul trucks. They need different vehicles and different stations.
Can my car run on CNG?
Only if it was built for natural gas or converted with an EPA-certified system. Few new passenger cars are sold for CNG today; most CNG vehicles are fleet trucks and buses.
More station maps
Learn more: How natural gas energy works · LNG station map.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center, Station Locator (public, open stations, read October 3, 2026) and fuel pages.