As of March 2021, the rack price of ethanol was $0.59 versus $2.20 for unleaded 87–octane gasoline—a difference of $1.61 per gallon. The average ethanol rack price fell nine cents from last month's price and was down 25 cents from a year ago. Unleaded 87–octane gasoline's average rack price increased 28 cents from last month's price and was $1.06 higher than a year ago. Unleaded 84–octane gasoline's average rack price increased 25 cents compared to last month's price and was $1.18 higher than a year ago.
In Figure 1, the average annual rack prices for each type of fuel are shown.
In Table 1 and Table 2 below, average ethanol and unleaded 87–octane gasoline rack prices per gallon, F.O.B. Omaha, are given for each month with an average annual rack price for each year from 1982 to the present.
In Table 3, average unleaded 84–octane gasoline rack prices per gallon, F.O.B. Omaha, are given for each month with an average annual rack price for each year from 2015 to the present.
A general rule of thumb:
An increase or decrease in the gasoline rack price is a clear
indication of the direction of the gasoline price at the pump.