REC-90 is 90-octane gasoline with no ethanol in it. That's the whole definition: "REC" for recreational, 90 for the octane rating. There is no special additive package and no exotic chemistry — it is what all gasoline was before the federal ethanol mandate put E10 in nearly every pump, blended to an octane that sits comfortably between regular and mid-grade. The engines it's sold for are the ones ethanol treats worst.
Boats top that list, because ethanol absorbs water and marine fuel systems live in it — the full story is in ethanol-free gas for boats. But REC-90 earns its keep in anything with a carburetor and an off-season: personal watercraft, ATVs and dirt bikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, classic cars, and the small engines in your garage. Ninety octane exceeds what nearly all of them require, so the octane is never the obstacle.
Protect your equipment
Briggs & Stratton Ethanol Test Kit
- Verify E0 claims in seconds
- Works on any pump gas
- Glove-box sized test strips
$11.61
Price as of Sep 7, 2026
STA-BIL 360 Marine Ethanol Treatment
- Fights phase separation and corrosion
- Use every fill-up with E10 fuel
- Protects boats, small engines, classics
$22.26
Price as of Sep 7, 2026
Why 90 Octane?
Ethanol raises octane, which is one reason refiners like blending it. Take the ethanol out and the base gasoline needs to carry its own octane; 90 emerged as the standard recreational blend because it covers 87-octane engines with margin and satisfies most mid-grade requirements while staying cheaper to produce than 93 E0. Some stations carry ethanol-free at 87 or 91 to 93 octane instead — same benefit, different number. What you are paying for is the absence of ethanol, explained at length in our case for E0.
On price: REC-90 typically runs several dimes per gallon above E10 regular at the same station. Two things narrow that gap. Pure gasoline contains more energy per gallon than ethanol blends, so miles per gallon and run time per tank improve. And for stored equipment the comparison isn't fuel versus fuel, it's fuel versus the carburetor rebuild that stale E10 schedules for spring.
Finding a REC-90 Pump
Marinas are the reliable source and the expensive one. The better habit is filling at a road station with a dedicated E0 pump before you reach the water, and there are thousands of them. The Pumpworthy directory verifies ethanol-free stations nationwide; Florida is REC-90 country, and Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan have deep coverage for lake season. A test kit settles any doubt at an unfamiliar pump — E0 claims are occasionally wrong, which is why our listings lean on verified reports rather than station marketing.
Protect your equipment
SureCan 5-Gallon Self-Venting Gas Can
- Pour without tipping the can
- Thumb-trigger flow control
- Self-venting, spill-free design
VP Racing 5-Gallon Utility Jug
- Empties 5 gallons in 2 minutes
- Built for trucks and trailers
- The racer's favorite jug
$35.56
Price as of Sep 7, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is REC-90 fuel?
REC-90 (recreational 90-octane) is ethanol-free gasoline blended to 90 octane. It is regular pure gasoline with no ethanol added, sold under the REC-90 name mainly for recreational engines: outboards, personal watercraft, ATVs, motorcycles, classic cars, and lawn and garden equipment.
Can I use REC-90 in my car?
Yes. REC-90 is gasoline, and any gas car can burn it — 90 octane satisfies both regular (87) and mid-grade requirements. Flex-fuel and modern vehicles run it without issue. It usually costs more per gallon than E10, and part of that gap is offset by ethanol-free fuel's higher energy content per gallon.
Is REC-90 the same as ethanol-free gas?
REC-90 is one kind of ethanol-free gas: the 90-octane blend. Stations also sell E0 at other octanes, from 87 to 93. Anything labeled ethanol-free, E0, or pure gas with the octane your engine needs does the same job; REC-90 is simply the most common label at marine-oriented pumps.
Where can I find REC-90 near me?
Marinas in boating regions usually carry it, at fuel-dock prices. Many regular gas stations sell REC-90 or other E0 blends from a dedicated pump for less. The Pumpworthy directory lists thousands of verified ethanol-free stations searchable by state and city — Florida, the Great Lakes states, and the Gulf Coast are especially well covered.
