Is E85 worth it financially?

E85 can save money if the price is at least 20-25% cheaper than gasoline, which offsets the ~27% MPG loss. Use our calculator to find your exact break-even point.

How do you calculate E85 break-even price?

Break-even = Gas Price × (E85 MPG ÷ Gas MPG). If E85 costs less than this number, you save money per mile.

E85 vs Gas Cost Calculator – Is E85 Worth It? [Free Tool]

Price Inputs

Gas Price ($)

E85 Price ($)

Your Gas MPG

Annual Mileage

Used for annual savings estimate

How to Calculate E85 Savings

E85 is typically 20-30% cheaper than premium gasoline at the pump, but it also has about 25-30% less energy content (BTUs). According to FuelEconomy.gov, this means your fuel economy (MPG) will drop when switching to E85. To determine if you're actually saving money, you need to calculate the Cost Per Mile.

Infographic comparing E85 and gasoline costs showing potential savings — E85 can save money when the price gap exceeds the efficiency loss.

The Formula

We use a simple break-even analysis:

Break Even Price = Gas Price * (E85 MPG / Gas MPG)

If the pump price of E85 is lower than this break-even number, it is the more economical choice for your daily commute. Use our MPG Loss Calculator to estimate your E85 fuel economy first.

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