E85 fuel is sold at a smaller network of stations than regular gasoline, but several free tools let you search by location in real time
E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Not all gas stations carry it, and availability varies widely by region — some areas have dozens of stations within a few miles, while others have none. The fastest way to find E85 near you is to use a station locator tool that updates regularly, rather than relying on a single map or list.
The most reliable sources are the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council's station finder, and the apps built into some vehicle manufacturer websites. Each covers different stations and updates at different intervals, so checking more than one gives you the most current picture.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center is the most comprehensive public database and lets you filter by fuel type, state, and distance from your address.
- E85 stations are concentrated in the Midwest and Great Plains but exist in most states; availability in your area depends on local ethanol production and demand.
- Some fuel brands and convenience store chains have their own locators that show only their locations, so checking multiple sources prevents you from missing nearby options.
- Prices and blend percentages can vary between stations, and not all vehicles can run E85 even if the pump is available — check your owner's manual or vehicle identification number first.
The U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
The Alternative Fuels Data Center, run by the Department of Energy, is the most complete public database of E85 stations in the United States. You can access it at fueleconomy.gov by clicking "Find a Station" and selecting E85 as your fuel type. The tool lets you enter your address or zip code and shows stations within a radius you choose — typically 5, 10, 25, or 50 miles.
The database includes station name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and whether the station is open to the public or restricted to fleet vehicles. It also notes whether a station accepts credit cards, has a loyalty program, or offers other fuel types. The data comes from station owners and fuel providers, though updates lag by a few weeks in some cases, so calling ahead is wise if you are traveling to an unfamiliar area.
Regional and Brand-Specific Station Locators
Several fuel brands and convenience store chains maintain their own E85 locators. Speedway, Casey's, Pilot Flying J, and Love's all have station finders on their websites or apps that show only their locations. These are useful if you have a preferred brand, but they show only a fraction of available stations in any given area.
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) also runs a station finder at fueleconomy.gov's sister tool. Regional ethanol councils in states like Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska sometimes maintain their own lists as well. If you live in or are traveling through a major ethanol-producing state, checking the state's ethanol council website can surface smaller or newer stations that have not yet made it into the national database.
Manufacturer Apps and Owner Portals
Some vehicle manufacturers that produce E85-capable cars — including Ford, General Motors, and Volkswagen — include station locators in their mobile apps or owner websites. Ford's FordPass app, for example, has a fuel station finder that highlights E85 locations. These tools are convenient if you already use the app, but they typically show the same stations as the Department of Energy database.
Check your vehicle's owner manual or the manufacturer's website to see whether your car is E85-compatible before searching for stations. Not all vehicles can run E85, even if the pump is available. Flex-fuel vehicles (marked FFV on the door jamb or in the paperwork) are designed to run E85, but many standard gasoline engines will be damaged by it.
Why E85 Availability Varies by Region
E85 stations cluster in the Midwest and Great Plains because ethanol is produced there in large quantities — Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota account for the majority of U.S. ethanol output. States with strong ethanol industries have more stations, lower prices, and more consistent supply. Coastal states and the Southwest have far fewer stations, though availability is growing in some urban areas.
Demand for E85 depends on how many flex-fuel vehicles are registered in an area and whether local fuel distributors stock it. A region with few FFVs may have no E85 stations even if ethanol is produced nearby, because the distributor does not see enough demand to justify the infrastructure. Conversely, some areas with growing EV adoption are adding E85 stations as a way to serve drivers of older flex-fuel vehicles.
Checking Price and Blend Percentage Before You Fill Up
E85 prices fluctuate more than regular gasoline because ethanol prices are tied to corn futures. Some stations update prices daily; others update weekly. The Department of Energy database shows historical price trends by state, which can help you decide whether to fill up now or wait. Prices are typically lower in ethanol-producing states and higher in regions where E85 must be shipped long distances.
The ethanol content in E85 can vary slightly by season and supplier — it may be 81 to 85 percent ethanol in winter (to improve cold-start performance) and closer to 85 percent in summer. This variation is legal and does not affect most drivers, but it can change fuel economy slightly. If you want to know the exact blend at a specific station, call ahead or ask the attendant.
What to Do If No E85 Stations Are Near You
If your area has no E85 stations, you have a few options. First, check whether any are within a reasonable drive — some drivers in rural areas travel 30 or 40 miles to a station if they use E85 regularly. Second, confirm that your vehicle is actually flex-fuel capable; many drivers assume their car can run E85 when it cannot. Third, contact local fuel distributors or convenience store chains to ask whether they plan to add E85 in the future — demand from customers sometimes prompts stations to stock it.
If E85 is genuinely unavailable in your area and you own a flex-fuel vehicle, you can run regular gasoline in it without any problem. Flex-fuel engines are designed to run either fuel, so switching between them does not damage the engine. You will get slightly better fuel economy with regular gasoline, but the difference is small enough that convenience usually wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use E85 in a regular gasoline car?
No. E85 can damage engines not designed for it. Only flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are built to run E85. Check your owner's manual, look for an FFV badge on the door jamb, or search your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the manufacturer's website to confirm your car is flex-fuel capable.
Why is E85 cheaper than regular gas at some stations but more expensive at others?
Price depends on local ethanol supply, shipping distance, and station markup. Stations in ethanol-producing states like Iowa pay less for E85 because it is produced nearby. Coastal and rural stations may charge more because E85 must be shipped farther. Ethanol futures prices also fluctuate daily, so prices change frequently.
How often are E85 station locators updated?
The Department of Energy database updates every few weeks based on reports from station owners. Brand-specific locators (Speedway, Casey's, etc.) update more frequently but show only their own stations. If you are traveling to an unfamiliar area, call the station before you go to confirm it has E85 in stock.
Does E85 give me better fuel economy than regular gasoline?
No. E85 contains less energy per gallon than regular gasoline, so you will get 15 to 30 percent fewer miles per gallon when running E85. The lower price per gallon sometimes makes up for this, but not always — compare the cost per mile at your local stations to decide which fuel makes sense for you.
What if the E85 pump is broken or out of stock?
Call the station ahead of time if E85 availability is critical to your trip. Some stations run out during peak seasons or have pumps down for maintenance. If you arrive and E85 is unavailable, you can use regular gasoline in a flex-fuel vehicle without any damage — the engine will straightforward run on the fuel available.