Our vans have always preferred 87 octane for the best performance.  It’s no issue in most places, even when we’re traveling, but in the Rocky Mountain states, it’s not uncommon for Regular fuel to be only 85 octane.

 

Most vehicles may actually perform better at high elevations with the lower grade octane – especially newer vehicles.  At the very least, most people don’t notice a major difference.  But others find they can watch the gas gauge go down if they put in any fuel sub-87 octane.

 

 

Since our vans perform better with 87+ octane, we always try to fill up before entering an 85-octane state.  And since I’ve always wanted a chart detailing exactly which states have 85 vs. 87 octane, I’m providing it below.

 

Which states have 85 vs. 87 Octane Gasoline*

 

State	Lowest Octane Grade Available	Comments
Alabama	87
Alaska	87
Arizona	87
Arkansas	86
California	87
Colorado	85
Connecticut	87	86 octane may be sold if labeled “economy”
Delaware	87
Florida	87
Georgia	87
Hawaii	87
Idaho	85
Illinois	87
Indiana	87
Iowa	87
Kansas	85
Kentucky	86
Louisiana	87
Maine	87
Maryland	87
Massachusetts	87
Michigan	87	85 or 86 octane may be sold if labeled “sub-regular”
Minnesota	87
Mississippi	87
Missouri	87
Montana	85.5	Montana is technically an 85 octane state; however, on our route across US-2 we saw only 87+ octane gasoline.
Nebraska	87
Nevada	85
New Hampshire	87
New Jersey	87	Attendants pump gas
New Mexico	85
New York	87
North Carolina	87
North Dakota	87
Ohio	87
Oklahoma	87
Oregon	87
Pennsylvania	87
Rhode Island	87
South Carolina	87	Some stations may sell lower octane gas if labeled “sub-standard” or “sub-regular”.  The western part of the state may legally sell 85 octane gasoline as “regular”.
South Dakota	87	The western part of the state allows 85 or 86 octane to be sold if labeled “sub-regular”.
Tennessee	87
Texas	87	Some stations at higher elevations may offer 86 octane gasoline
Utah	85
Vermont	87
Virginia	87
Washington	87
West Virginia	87
Wisconsin	87
Wyoming	85

 

*Note that a lower grade of fuel may be available in some states if labeled “sub-regular”.

 

*Note that this is for information purposes only.  I cannot be held responsible for the information provided here.*