E85 vs Gasoline: Fuel Economy, Cost Per Mile & Real Savings
Compare the real-world costs of E85 versus regular gasoline for your vehicle. Learn how to calculate cost per mile and determine if E85 saves you money.
Find E85 flex fuel stations throughout South Dakota. Use the interactive map below to locate stations near you.
E85 is available in major areas. Check station locations before heading out.
South Dakota packs 79 E85 stations into a state of just 750,000 people, making it one of the nation's per-capita E85 leaders. As the 5th largest ethanol-producing state, South Dakota processes more corn into fuel than almost anywhere.
South Dakota was the first state to allow blender pumps and maintains approximately 100+ blender pumps statewide. Approximately 70% of South Dakota corn goes directly to ethanol production.
South Dakota operates 16 fuel ethanol plants producing approximately 1.5 billion gallons annually—accounting for 8% of total U.S. output. POET Biorefining dominates with facilities in Big Stone, Chancellor, Groton, Hudson, Mitchell, and Scotland producing 377 million gallons per year. Valero Renewable Fuels Aurora adds 120 million gallons.
The Ethanol Infrastructure Incentive Program (EIIP) provides grants up to $25,000 for first blender pumps and $10,000 for additional pumps. Senate Bill 78 (January 2025) established a 5-cent rebate per gallon of E15 sold.
Casey's General Stores provides major E85 coverage throughout South Dakota. Cenex cooperative stations serve rural areas well. Blender pumps at numerous locations allow E10-E85 selection at a single pump. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Watertown all have good access.
West River (west of Missouri River) has limited coverage in rural areas. The state's low population density creates long distances between some stations, but I-90 and I-29 corridors maintain solid coverage.
E85 in South Dakota typically runs about $1.00/gallon less than regular gasoline—well beyond the break-even threshold. Recent Sioux Falls pricing showed E85 at $2.16-$2.20/gallon.
South Dakota rewards FFV ownership. Stick to I-90 (Mitchell to Rapid City) and I-29 (Sioux Falls to North Sioux City) for reliable stations. The blender pump network lets you choose your ethanol percentage based on preference. Minnesota to the east offers excellent E85 backup.
Compare the real-world costs of E85 versus regular gasoline for your vehicle. Learn how to calculate cost per mile and determine if E85 saves you money.
Discover the environmental, economic, and performance benefits of E85. From reducing emissions to supporting American agriculture, learn why FFV owners choose E85.
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E85 in South Dakota typically runs about $1.00/gallon less than regular gasoline—well beyond the break-even threshold. Recent Sioux Falls pricing showed E85 at $2.16-$2.20/gallon. Across South Dakota's 79 public E85 stations, actual savings vary by retailer and regional transport costs. Remember to adjust for E85's roughly 25–27% lower fuel economy when calculating cost per mile.
Only factory-certified flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) should run E85. Check your South Dakota vehicle for a yellow fuel cap, a "Flex Fuel" badge, an E85 sticker inside the fuel door, or confirm via the owner's manual or VIN decoder. Using E85 in a non-FFV can damage fuel lines, injectors, and seals — see our full FFV identification guide.
Casey's General Stores provides major E85 coverage throughout South Dakota. Cenex cooperative stations serve rural areas well. Blender pumps at numerous locations allow E10-E85 selection at a single pump. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Watertown all have good access. For live station data, scroll up to the interactive map or plan a route through South Dakota.
Find E85 stations along your travel route. Perfect for road trips and long-distance travel.
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