As of November 2020, the rack price of ethanol was $0.78 versus $1.26 for unleaded 87–octane gasoline—a difference of 48 cents per gallon. The average ethanol rack price dropped 16 cent from last month's price and was down 66 cents from a year ago. Unleaded 87–octane gasoline's average rack price fell one cent from last month's price and was 63 cents lower than a year ago. Unleaded 84–octane gasoline's average rack price was the same price compared to last month's price but was 54 cents lower 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.