E85 fuel is ethanol blended with gasoline, and finding it requires a different search than regular gas
E85 is a fuel blend that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Not all gas stations carry it, and the ones that do are often clustered in certain regions. Your car must be a flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) to run on E85 — most vehicles made after 2005 can, but not all. If you drive an FFV and want to find E85 near you, you will need to use specific tools because regular gas station finders do not list it.
E85 is cheaper per gallon than regular gasoline in most places, but your car will use more fuel to travel the same distance. The fuel economy trade-off means E85 is not always cheaper per mile driven. Before you search for stations, confirm your vehicle can use it by checking your owner's manual or looking for a small "E85" or "Flex Fuel" label on the fuel door.
Key Takeaways
- Only flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on E85; check your owner's manual or fuel door label to confirm your car qualifies.
- The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center is the most complete source for finding E85 stations by location.
- E85 stations are concentrated in the Midwest and scattered in other regions; availability varies significantly by state and city.
- E85 costs less per gallon but delivers lower fuel economy, so compare the per-mile cost before deciding it is worth the detour.
Use the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center
The U.S. Department of Energy maintains the Alternative Fuels Data Center at fueleconomy.gov. This is the most complete and current database of E85 stations in the country. Go to the site, select "Find a Station," choose your state, and filter for "Ethanol (E85)." The map will show you every E85 station the database has on record, along with the station name, address, hours, and whether it is currently open.
The data comes from station operators and fuel retailers who report their locations to the database. Not every small or independent station reports, so the map may miss some locations. However, major chains like Casey's, Speedway, and Pilot Flying J report regularly, so you will find most branded stations. The database also lets you filter by distance from your location, which is useful if you are willing to drive a few miles for cheaper fuel.
Search by state if you are planning a longer trip
If you are driving across state lines or moving to a new area, the Alternative Fuels Data Center lets you see E85 availability by state. The Midwest — particularly Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Illinois — has the densest network of E85 stations because ethanol production is concentrated there. Other states have scattered stations, often near major highways or in larger cities.
Before a long trip, map out where E85 stations are along your route. Some states have only a handful of stations, so you may need to plan your refueling stops in advance. If you are moving to a rural area or a state with low E85 adoption, you may find that E85 is not practical for everyday use, even if your vehicle supports it.
Check individual station websites and apps
Many gas station chains that sell E85 have their own apps or websites where you can search for nearby locations. Casey's, for example, has a station locator on its website and mobile app that filters for E85. Speedway and other regional chains do the same. If you have a preferred station brand, check whether they have a locator tool — it may be faster than the government database if you already know which chain you want to visit.
Station apps also show real-time pricing, which matters because E85 prices fluctuate more than regular gasoline. You might find that E85 is cheaper at one station but not at another just a few miles away. Checking the app before you drive can save you money and time.
Understand why E85 availability varies so much by region
E85 adoption in the United States is uneven because ethanol production is concentrated in the Midwest, where corn is grown and processed into fuel-grade ethanol. Stations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Illinois have E85 pumps because the fuel is cheaper to transport there. In coastal states and areas far from ethanol plants, E85 is rare because the cost of shipping it makes it uncompetitive with regular gasoline.
Federal policy also affects availability. The Renewable Fuel Standard requires fuel refiners to blend ethanol into gasoline, but E85 is a separate product that stations choose to stock. Some states offer tax incentives for E85 stations, which increases availability in those regions. If you live in a state with low E85 adoption, you may have no stations within a reasonable distance, even if your vehicle supports the fuel.
Calculate whether E85 is cheaper for your driving
E85 typically costs 30 to 50 cents less per gallon than regular gasoline, but flex-fuel vehicles get 15 to 30 percent lower fuel economy on E85 than on regular gas. This means you will need to buy more gallons to drive the same distance. To decide whether E85 is worth it, divide the price per gallon by your expected fuel economy on E85, then compare that to the per-mile cost of regular gasoline.
For example, if regular gas costs $3.50 per gallon and you get 25 miles per gallon, your cost per mile is 14 cents. If E85 costs $3.00 per gallon but your car gets only 20 miles per gallon on E85, your cost per mile is 15 cents — slightly more expensive. The math changes based on current prices and your specific vehicle's fuel economy, so check both numbers before you drive to an E85 station.
Confirm your vehicle is flex-fuel before you buy
Putting E85 in a vehicle that is not flex-fuel will damage the fuel system and engine. Check your owner's manual first — it will state clearly whether your vehicle is an FFV. You can also look at the fuel door on the outside of your car; FFVs usually have a small label that says "E85" or "Flex Fuel" or "FFV." If you are unsure, call your vehicle's manufacturer with your vehicle identification number (VIN), and they can tell you whether your model year and trim level supports E85.
If you rent a car or borrow someone else's vehicle, do not assume it is flex-fuel just because it is a recent model. Ask the owner or rental company directly. Misfueling is expensive to fix and can leave you stranded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if there are no E85 stations near me?
If the Alternative Fuels Data Center shows no E85 stations within a reasonable distance, E85 is not practical for your area. You can still drive your flex-fuel vehicle on regular gasoline — FFVs run fine on any blend from E0 (pure gasoline) to E85. Stick with regular gas and check back occasionally in case a new station opens.
Can I mix E85 with regular gasoline in my tank?
Yes, flex-fuel vehicles are designed to handle any blend of ethanol and gasoline. You can fill up with regular gas one day and E85 the next without any problem. Your car's engine adjusts automatically. However, mixing them in the same tank does not provide any benefit — your fuel economy will be somewhere between what you would get on pure E85 and pure regular gas.
Is E85 bad for my engine?
E85 is not bad for flex-fuel vehicles — they are engineered to run on it. However, E85 can damage engines in non-flex-fuel cars because it is more corrosive and requires different fuel system components. If your vehicle is flex-fuel, E85 is safe to use. If it is not, do not use it.
Why does E85 give me worse fuel economy?
Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline, so your engine burns more of it to produce the same power. This is a physical property of the fuel, not a problem with your car. Flex-fuel vehicles are tuned to handle this trade-off, but the lower fuel economy is real and unavoidable.
Do I need to do anything special to maintain my car if I use E85?
No. Flex-fuel vehicles are built to handle E85 without special maintenance. Follow your owner's manual for regular service intervals. The only difference is that you may need to refuel more often because of lower fuel economy, but that does not change your maintenance schedule.