Where to Find Ethanol-Free Gas for Snowmobiles near Milwaukee

Wisconsin winters open up a whole world of snowy adventures when you've got a snowmobile. Whether you're planning family rides through the Kettle Moraine trails, weekend trips to the Northwoods, or exploring the 25,000+ miles of groomed trails across the state, there's nothing quite like the freedom of gliding across fresh powder with your crew.

Related: Snowmobile guide to the Greater Milwaukee area

But before you can chase those winter thrills, you need to solve a surprisingly tricky problem for Milwaukee-area families: finding the right fuel to keep your machine running strong all season long and ready to fire up next winter.

Finding ethanol-free gasoline can be genuinely tricky because southeastern Wisconsin sits in a zone that legally restricts ethanol-free fuel sales. This matters because ethanol wreaks havoc on snowmobile engines that sit idle for months. The modest premium you'll pay for clean fuel (roughly $25-50 extra per season) is cheap insurance against carburetor rebuilds that run $200-500.

Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County, Waukesha County, and surrounding areas are federally designated EPA nonattainment zones for air quality. This means all retail gasoline sold within these counties must contain oxygenates—typically 10% ethanol. Even the Milwaukee Marina sells only E10.

(In plain language: Milwaukee's air quality is bad enough that federal law requires all gasoline sold in the area to contain ethanol to help reduce pollution. So nearby gas stations aren't allowed to sell ethanol-free fuel at the pump—it's a legal requirement, not a choice.)

But don't worry—we've mapped out exactly where to fill up, whether you want pump gas or the convenience of pre-mixed cans from local hardware stores.

This is why knowing the nearest stations outside this zone becomes critical for snowmobile families. The good news? Several reliable options exist within a 20-35 minute drive, and if you're heading north to the trails anyway, you'll pass right through prime ethanol-free territory.

Nearby ethanol-free pump stations

Your best options radiate outward from Milwaukee County, starting with Fleet Farm locations that reliably stock 89 octane ethanol-free gas at their attached fuel stations.

Fleet Farm – Germantown

• N96W18200 County Line Rd, Germantown, WI 53022

• 89 octane ethanol-free at the pump

• 24/7 pay-at-pump access

• Pro tip: Hit this on your way to or from I-41/45 corridor trails

Fleet Farm – West Bend

• 3815 W. Washington St., West Bend, WI 53095

• 89 octane ethanol-free

• 24/7 pay-at-pump availability

• Good staging point if heading toward Kettle Moraine trails

Fleet Farm – Oconomowoc

• 1555 Town Centre Way, Oconomowoc, WI 53066

• 89 octane ethanol-free

• Convenience store hours: 6am-9pm (Mon-Sat), 6am-6pm (Sun)

• Ideal for families heading west toward Madison-area trails

East Troy Shell LLC

• Just off Hwy 43 at the Hwy 20 Exit, East Troy, WI

• Shell V-Power Nitro+ Premium with ZERO ethanol in all grades

• 24/7 availability

• Multiple sources confirm this as one of the region's most reliable E0 sources

Kwik Trip – Muskego

• S79W18884 Janesville Rd, Muskego, WI

• User reports indicate ethanol-free fuel available

• Call ahead to verify: Kwik Trip fuel offerings vary by location

Fueling up when you're already on the trail

Once you get beyond the EPA nonattainment boundary, ethanol-free becomes much easier to find. Kwik Trip's Premium 91 is ethanol-free at Wisconsin locations outside the restricted zone—look for it labeled as "Premium 91" for power equipment and carbureted engines.

Popular snowmobiling destinations like Hayward, Minocqua, Eagle River, and Rhinelander all have multiple stations with ethanol-free options. Plan to top off before heading home rather than trying to find E0 back in Milwaukee.

Pre-mixed canned fuel: Convenient alternative

For families who don't want to make a special trip for ethanol-free gas, pre-mixed fuels available at local hardware stores solve the problem—especially for end-of-season storage. Yes, they're more expensive per gallon, but for the amount you'll use topping off or winterizing, the convenience often wins.

TruFuel (Most widely available)

The gold standard for canned small engine fuel, available nearly everywhere:

• 32 oz (1 quart): $6.98-$7.08

• 110 oz (0.86 gallon): $23.98

• 2.1 gallon: ~$45-50

• 92+ octane, ethanol-free

• Shelf life: 2+ years opened, 5+ years sealed

• 50:1 and 40:1 premix ratios for 2-cycle engines, plus 4-cycle (no oil added)

• Available on Amazon

VP Racing Small Engine Fuel

Premium motorsports heritage, slightly higher octane:

• 1 quart: $9-10

• 1 gallon: $30-35

• 5 gallon pail: $63-80 (best per-gallon value at ~$13-16/gallon)

• 94 octane, JASO FD certified

STIHL MotoMix

Premium option sold only through authorized dealers:

• 1 quart: $12-15

• 1 gallon: $35-40

• 92 octane, alkylate-based fuel

• Includes STIHL HP Ultra Oil

• Available on Amazon

Where to buy pre-mixed fuel in Milwaukee

Menards (Wisconsin-based, excellent selection and pricing with 11% rebate)

• 8110 W Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, WI 53223 – (414) 355-5666

• 2101 Miller Park Way, West Milwaukee, WI 53219 – (414) 672-5178

• 6800 S 27th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154 – (414) 761-3840

• 10925 W Speedway Drive, Franklin, WI 53132 – (414) 425-7309

• W186N9754 Appleton Avenue, Germantown, WI 53022 – (262) 502-1641

• 1357 Capitol Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072 – (262) 695-0664

• Carries TruFuel, Super S Super Fuel, and Poulan Pro

Home Depot – Multiple Milwaukee metro locations

• Carries TruFuel (all sizes) and ECHO Red Armor

• Online ordering with same-day store pickup available

Lowe's – Multiple Milwaukee metro locations

• Carries TruFuel, Husqvarna XP+, and VP Racing

• Bulk discount: TruFuel drops to ~$6.23/quart when buying 10+

Blain's Farm & Fleet

• Oak Creek (south side)

• Waukesha (serves Brookfield, New Berlin area)

• Grafton (convenient for North Shore residents)

• Sturtevant (Racine/Kenosha corridor)

• Carries TruFuel, VP Racing, and ECHO Red Armor

Ace Hardware (Many are STIHL dealers)

• Village Ace Hardware, Glendale – STIHL MotoMix available

• South Milwaukee Ace Hardware – authorized STIHL dealer

• TruFuel and VP Racing also typically stocked

Why ethanol destroys snowmobile engines

Understanding the science helps explain why this matters so much. Ethanol causes three critical problems in small engines, and all three are amplified by how snowmobiles are used and stored.

Phase separation is the killer. E10 fuel absorbs moisture from the air. When water content exceeds roughly 0.5% at 60°F (dropping to just 0.3% at 10°F), the ethanol and water separate from the gasoline and sink to the bottom of your tank. Your snowmobile then tries to run on this water-ethanol mixture—which has no octane value and no lubrication in 2-stroke applications. Small engine repair shops report that ethanol-related problems account for roughly 90% of the issues they see.

Storage timelines are brutal. E10 fuel begins degrading within 30-60 days without stabilization. Your snowmobile sits idle for 6-8 months during the off-season. The math doesn't work in your favor. Ethanol-free fuel, by contrast, stays stable for up to 6 months without stabilizer—and up to 2 years with proper stabilization.

Two-stroke engines face special risk. When ethanol separates from premixed 2-cycle fuel, the oil stays bonded to the gasoline but not to the ethanol layer. If that ethanol-water mixture gets drawn into your engine, it contains zero lubrication. The result can be catastrophic engine failure.

Material degradation compounds over time. Ethanol dissolves certain rubbers, plastics, and gasket materials. It corrodes brass, aluminum, and zinc—materials found throughout carburetors. Older snowmobiles with fuel system components not designed for ethanol are especially vulnerable.

What manufacturers actually say

Most major snowmobile manufacturers specify maximum 10% ethanol and absolutely no E15. Using E15 (now appearing at more gas stations) in your snowmobile will void your warranty and risks serious engine damage.

• Polaris: Minimum 87 octane, max 10% ethanol; "Never use E85 or E15"

• Ski-Doo: High-performance models specify 91 octane non-oxygenated for best performance; don't leave oxygenated fuel in machine more than 30 days

• Arctic Cat: Minimum 91 octane, max 10% ethanol for 2015+ models

The real cost comparison

Let's break down what ethanol-free fuel actually costs versus the alternatives.

Pump gas pricing:

• Regular E10: ~$3.00-3.25/gallon (current Milwaukee average)

• Ethanol-free (where available): $3.50-4.25/gallon (typically $0.40-0.75 premium)

Pre-mixed fuel per-gallon equivalent:

• TruFuel by the quart: ~$28/gallon

• VP Racing 5-gallon pail: ~$13-16/gallon

• Bulk case purchase: ~$14-17/gallon

Seasonal math for a typical snowmobile family:

• Average seasonal fuel use: ~50 gallons

• E0 pump gas premium: $0.50/gallon × 50 gallons = $25/season extra

• One carburetor cleaning/repair: $150-300

• One avoided repair pays for 6-12 years of the E0 premium

The verdict? Paying extra for ethanol-free fuel is one of the smartest investments you can make in your snowmobile. Pre-mixed canned fuel makes sense for storage preparation and topping off, even at its higher per-gallon cost, because you're using smaller quantities where convenience matters most.

Seasonal timing and storage strategy

When to fuel up

Ethanol-free stations can see lines and occasional stock-outs during peak season. Plan accordingly:

• Before the season starts: Fill your cans and top off at E0 stations before the first major snowfall drives everyone else there

• Weekday mornings: Less competition at dedicated E0 pumps

• Call ahead: Verify availability before making a 30-minute drive, especially at lower-volume stations

• Identify backups: Know 2-3 reliable E0 sources so you're never stuck

End-of-season storage protocol

For snowmobiles heading into their 6-8 month hibernation:

1. Fill the tank completely with ethanol-free fuel—reduces air space and condensation potential

2. Add fuel stabilizer (STA-BIL Storage or Star Tron) according to package directions

3. Run the engine 5-10 minutes to circulate stabilized fuel through the entire system including carburetors

4. For 2-strokes: Consider fogging the cylinders with storage oil

5. Store in a cool, dry location

With ethanol-free fuel plus stabilizer, your snowmobile can sit for up to 2 years without fuel degradation. With untreated E10, you're looking at problems within 60 days.

Apps and websites for finding ethanol-free gas

Pure-Gas.org – The definitive resource

• Lists 12,000+ ethanol-free stations across the U.S. and Canada

• Searchable by state, city, or ZIP code

• Shows octane grades available at each station

• Critical caveat: User-contributed data may be outdated—always call ahead

Pure Gas App (iOS and Android)

• Shows 100 nearest E0 stations sorted by distance

• One-tap directions to any station

• Integrates with Waze for navigation

• Free download; consider it essential for road trips

GasBuddy

• Can filter for ethanol-free fuel (feature limited compared to dedicated E0 apps)

• Useful for price comparisons

• Real-time user-reported prices

BuyRealGas.com

• Alternative database with station phone numbers

• Good for verification calls before you drive

Verification matters

Because these databases rely on user submissions, station offerings change, and the EPA nonattainment zone creates unique restrictions in our area, always call a station before making a special trip. When you arrive, check the pump label for "No Ethanol Added" or "Contains up to X% ethanol."

Your action plan

For families based in Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Glendale, Fox Point, Bayside, or Mequon heading out for snowmobile adventures:

Stock up before the season: Buy a case of TruFuel or VP Racing from Menards (Brown Deer Road location is closest to most North Shore communities) or Blain's Farm & Fleet in Grafton. Keep it on hand for quick top-offs and end-of-season storage.

For pump gas runs: Fleet Farm Germantown is your closest reliable option—about 15-20 minutes from most North Shore addresses. Make it part of your pre-trip routine if you're heading north anyway.

When you're already on the trails: Fill up at Kwik Trip Premium 91 in northern Wisconsin (ethanol-free outside the nonattainment zone) before heading home. Don't plan on finding E0 once you're back in Milwaukee County.

End of season: Use ethanol-free fuel exclusively for your final fill-up. Add stabilizer. Run the engine. Your springtime self will thank you when everything starts on the first pull.

The small investment in ethanol-free fuel—whether from a pump at Fleet Farm or a can from Menards—pays dividends in reliability, easier starts, and avoided repair bills. Happy trails, North Shore families.