You can buy ice melt near you both locally and online, and many places also show real‑time stock so you don’t waste a trip.

Fast local options

These kinds of nearby stores almost always carry ice melt in winter:

  • Big‑box home improvement: Home Depot, Lowe’s (often show “pick up today” inventory and let you reserve online).
  • Large retailers: Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, sometimes Target, often with pallets near the entrance during storms.
  • Hardware stores: Ace Hardware, True Value, regional chains like Menards or Sutherlands.
  • Garden centers & farm stores: Dedicated garden centers, nursery supply shops, farm & ranch stores.
  • Drug & convenience stores: CVS or similar sometimes carry small “driveway heat” containers near the front in icy weather.
  • Specialty salt/ice suppliers: In some regions there are 24/7 salt and ice‑melt depots that sell to homeowners and contractors.

A quick example: many people report success finding sidewalk salt at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace, Costco, Walmart Neighborhood Markets, and Menards even later in the season, especially if they check the store websites first for local stock.

How to quickly find “near me”

Use this simple process so you’re not driving around guessing:

  1. Search “[ice melt] + [your town]” in maps, then filter for hardware, home improvement, or big‑box stores.
  2. Open each store’s product page (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Ace all have this) and use “Check store availability” or “Pick up today” for your nearest location.
  1. If stock is low everywhere, consider:
    • Ordering online for store pickup (often ready same‑day).
 * Buying from a local salt/ice‑melt supplier if your area has one, especially after big storms.

If your sidewalks are small or stock is wiped out, some forum users even use water‑softener salt as a backup, though it’s best to confirm it’s safe for your concrete and any nearby plants or pets.

Online “near me” alternatives

If roads are bad or local shelves are empty:

  • Major retailers’ websites: Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Ace let you ship bags or even full pallets of ice melt to your home, or schedule pickup.
  • Regional suppliers: Some companies specialize in salt and ice‑melt products and serve nearby states with regular deliveries.
  • General marketplaces: People on forums mention ordering smaller containers or pet‑safe formulas online when local stores are sold out.

TL;DR: Check big home‑improvement chains, hardware stores, and large retailers near you, then confirm stock through their websites’ “pick up today” tools before you go; if everything’s sold out, look at dedicated salt/ice‑melt suppliers or order online for delivery or curbside pickup.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.