As of August 2023, the rack price of ethanol was $2.33 versus $3.15 for unleaded 87–octane gasoline—a difference of 82 cents per gallon. The average ethanol rack price was 29 cents lower from last month's price and was 39 cents lower from last year. Unleaded 87–octane gasoline's average rack price jumped 20 cents from last month's price and was ten cents higher from last year. Unleaded 84–octane gasoline's average rack price jumped 19 cents from last month's price and was six cents higher from last year.
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.
Note: A new reporting method for fuel ethanol prices to include the RIN started in April 2021. January through March 2021 have also been revised using the new method so that the whole year will be consistent.
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.