In short: There are only 22 public liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations in the United States, mostly in California and Texas, and they serve heavy trucks. Use the map below to plan LNG fueling along your route.
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 liquefied natural gas?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to about −260°F so it becomes a liquid and takes far less space. That makes it practical for long-haul and heavy trucks that need a lot of fuel on board. It is stored in insulated tanks and dispensed with special equipment and training.
LNG is not a fuel for cars or pickups: those use compressed natural gas (CNG) if they run on natural gas at all.
Who uses it
Heavy-duty trucking fleets, port and drayage trucks, and some mining and rail operations. Most LNG is dispensed at private fleet sites; only a handful of truck stops sell it publicly.
Where the stations are
The U.S. Department of Energy lists 22 public liquefied natural gas stations open in 9 states (October 2026). The states with the most:
- California (10)
- Texas (4)
- Florida (2)
- Alabama (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Georgia (1)
What LNG costs
LNG for trucks is sold by the diesel gallon equivalent (DGE), the amount of LNG with the same energy as a gallon of diesel (about 6.06 pounds). 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 $4.81 per DGE, 74 cents less than diesel at $5.55 a gallon.
| Region (April 2026) | LNG ($/DGE) | Diesel ($/gal) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast | $5.09 | $5.40 | −$0.31 |
| West Coast | $4.75 | $7.16 | −$2.41 |
| U.S. average | $4.81 | $5.55 | −$0.74 |
Read these numbers with care. The April 2026 report is based on only 11 LNG prices, 2 from the Gulf Coast and 9 from the West Coast, because there are so few LNG stations. The national average rose 75 cents from January 2026 ($4.06), mostly because West Coast prices went up. On the West Coast, private fleet stations averaged $3.76 per DGE against $5.53 at public ones. The report notes that fleets contracting directly with suppliers can pay well below these retail prices.
Is LNG cheaper per mile? It depends on the engine. The DOE notes that spark-ignited natural gas engines are slightly less efficient than dual-fuel engines that also burn some diesel. We don’t give a per-mile figure here, because truck efficiency on LNG varies by engine. Compare cost per mile using the engine maker’s fuel consumption data and the DGE price your supplier quotes.
LNG trucks you can get in 2026
LNG is a heavy-truck fuel. There are no LNG cars or pickups, and none are listed in the federal fuel economy database. The DOE describes LNG as best suited to Class 7 and 8 trucks that need long range. Liquid gas packs more energy into a tank than compressed gas, so range comes closer to diesel than it does with CNG.
- Factory trucks and engines: heavy-duty natural gas engines are sold by U.S. truck and engine makers. The DOE’s Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search lists current heavy-duty natural gas engines.
- Dedicated or dual-fuel: dedicated trucks run only on natural gas. Dual-fuel trucks burn natural gas with a little diesel for ignition, which adds a second fuel system to maintain.
- Tanks: LNG rides in double-walled, vacuum-insulated tanks. These cost more than diesel tanks, one reason the DOE says LNG use has stayed limited.
For trucks that stay within a region, CNG is the more common natural gas option, with about 697 public stations against 22 for LNG: see our CNG station map.
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, which covered LNG by the DGE, 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: for businesses, 6% (30% with prevailing wage and apprenticeship) up to $100,000 per item.
- LNG carries a federal excise tax of $0.243 per DGE.
- Natural gas trucks may weigh up to 2,000 pounds more than the federal limit for comparable trucks, up to a maximum of 82,000 pounds.
- EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program funds projects that cut diesel pollution. Check EPA for open rounds.
States (from DOE incentive listings):
- Texas (TERP, run by TCEQ): the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program helps replace medium- and heavy-duty trucks with natural gas ones. The Seaport and Rail Yard program can fund cleaner drayage trucks over 26,000 pounds. Texas also allows natural gas trucks the same 2,000-pound weight allowance. Check TCEQ for application periods.
- California: natural gas is covered by the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The San Joaquin Valley air district’s Truck Replacement Program funds new low-NOx alternative fuel trucks for Class 4–8 fleets.
- Oklahoma: state tax credits, for tax years beginning before December 31, 2028, cover new natural gas vehicles and conversions (larger amounts for heavier trucks) and up to 45% of commercial fueling equipment.
Supply and trends
- Station numbers are falling. DOE counts of public and private LNG stations peaked at 140 in 2016 and fell to 81 by the end of 2025. Only 22 public stations are open today (October 2026), mostly in California and Texas.
- Vehicle fuel is a sliver of natural gas use. The U.S. Energy Information Administration counts about 53 billion cubic feet of natural gas used as vehicle fuel (CNG and LNG together) in 2025. That is less than 0.2% of the 33.5 trillion cubic feet the country used.
- How it is made: natural gas is purified and cooled to about −260°F, which removes most other compounds and leaves mostly methane. Renewable natural gas from landfills and farms can also be liquefied for trucks.
Safety and handling
- LNG is a cryogenic liquid at about −260°F. Because it is so cold, the DOE says drivers need a face shield, gloves and protective clothing when fueling, plus training in the fueling procedure.
- Dispensers deliver LNG at fairly low pressure, 30 to 120 psi, into insulated tanks.
- Stations come in three types: a tanker truck that fuels on site, a containerized “starter” station, or a permanent large station. Permanent stations cost from one to several million dollars, so most are built for specific fleets.
- Because public LNG is so scarce, confirm a station has fuel before routing a loaded truck to it.
More LNG questions
How much does LNG cost compared with diesel?
In April 2026 the DOE’s national average was $4.81 per diesel gallon equivalent, 74 cents less than diesel. The gap was $2.41 on the West Coast but only 31 cents on the Gulf Coast. The sample was small, only 11 prices. Fleet contract prices at private stations were lower.
Is LNG better than diesel for trucks?
It can cost less per gallon equivalent, and the DOE lists air quality and domestic supply as benefits. The trade-offs are costly cryogenic tanks, very few public stations, and protective gear and training for every fill. The DOE sees natural gas as a good fit for high-mileage fleets that fuel at a central site.
Are there incentives for LNG trucks in 2026?
The federal fuel credit ended in 2024, and the IRS describes the station equipment credit only through June 30, 2026. Natural gas trucks still get a federal 2,000-pound weight allowance. Texas TERP, California’s San Joaquin Valley truck program and Oklahoma tax credits are listed. Check each agency for open funding, and ask a tax professional.
Before you go
- Confirm the station is open and has product before you route a truck to it: there are very few.
- LNG fueling needs protective gear and training because the fuel is extremely cold.
- Many fleets plan around their own private stations; public LNG is a backup on most routes.
Liquefied natural gas station questions
Why are there so few LNG stations?
LNG serves a small number of heavy-truck fleets, and most of them fuel at their own private sites. Public LNG stations are concentrated on a few freight corridors.
Is LNG the same as propane?
No. LNG is natural gas (methane) cooled to a liquid. Propane is a different gas that becomes liquid under modest pressure. They use different vehicles and stations.
More station maps
Learn more: How natural gas energy works · CNG station map.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center, Station Locator (public, open stations, read October 3, 2026) and fuel pages.