Finding Avgas Near Me

Avgas availability discussions have gotten complicated with all the “why does 100LL cost so much more at towered airports than at self-serve rural fields” debates, the 100LL versus mogas supplemental type certificate questions, and “how do you actually find the cheapest fuel along your planned route before departure” conversations flying around. As someone who has spent years following general aviation fuel economics and the specific strategies that let pilots minimize fuel costs without compromising planning discipline, I learned everything there is to know about finding avgas. Today, I will share it all with you.

But what’s the most effective approach to finding avgas nearby, really? In essence, it’s combining digital fuel planning tools with local knowledge of which FBOs consistently offer competitive pricing versus which ones charge premium rates because they know pilots in unfamiliar territory will pay whatever the meter says when their fuel gauges are low. But it’s much more than price hunting. For piston aircraft operators, a systematic approach to fuel planning — knowing where self-serve pumps are available, which airports have 24-hour fuel access, and what your aircraft’s endurance allows — is part of operating efficiently and safely rather than just economically.

The Importance of Avgas

Avgas powers the piston-engine aircraft that form the backbone of general aviation — trainers, personal aircraft, agricultural applicators, and charter operations in markets too small for turbine equipment. Unlike automotive gasoline, avgas contains specific additives — most notably tetraethyl lead in 100LL — that prevent engine knock under the higher compression ratios and operating temperatures that aircraft engines run at. Don’t make my mistake of assuming any gasoline will work in a piston aircraft engine — at least if you’re considering mogas as an alternative, because only aircraft with specific supplemental type certificates authorizing mogas use should be operated on automotive fuel, and using the wrong fuel grade in an aircraft engine can cause detonation that destroys the engine in minutes.

Common Types of Avgas

There are two types of avgas currently available at most airports:

• 100LL (Low Lead): Contains low amounts of tetraethyl lead relative to the older 100/130 grade avgas it replaced. It remains the most widely used avgas globally despite the lead content that has motivated the industry’s transition toward unleaded alternatives
• UL94 (Unleaded 94): Suitable for lower-compression piston engines, provides a lead-free alternative where the engine’s operating parameters don’t require the antiknock protection that 100LL’s lead content provides

Online Fuel Planning Tools

Several websites maintain updated directories of avgas suppliers with current pricing:

• AirNav: Detailed information about airports and available services including fuel type and current pricing
• GlobalAir: Comprehensive FBO listings with fuel prices and contact information
• 100LL.com: Dedicated avgas location and pricing resource

Aviation Apps for Fuel Planning

Flight planning apps provide the most convenient fuel research tool for most pilots:

• ForeFlight: Includes airport information with fuel services, current prices, and FBO contact details — the standard tool for most instrument-rated pilots
• Garmin Pilot: Similar fuel availability and pricing integration with the Garmin avionics ecosystem
• FltPlan Go: Comprehensive flight planning that lists avgas sources along your route

Local Airports and FBOs

Fixed Base Operators are the primary fuel providers at most airports. Most FBOs offer avgas among their services — fueling, aircraft maintenance, hangar rental, and pilot amenities. Pricing varies significantly between FBOs at the same airport and even more between airports. Self-serve fuel pumps, available at many smaller GA airports, typically offer 20-40 cents per gallon savings over full-service FBO fuel. That’s what makes systematic fuel planning endearing to cross-country pilots who do a lot of flying — on a 200-gallon fuel stop, a 30-cent-per-gallon savings versus a convenient major airport FBO represents $60 in real money, which compounds into meaningful annual savings for pilots flying regularly.

Tips for Purchasing Avgas

• Price comparison: Check multiple sources before committing — significant price variation exists between airports on the same route
• Quality verification: Avgas quality should meet grade specifications — sump the tanks after fueling to check for water contamination, always
• Volume discounts: Some suppliers offer discounts for bulk purchases or through fuel card programs
• Fuel cards: AVCARD and similar aviation fuel cards provide access to competitive pricing at participating FBOs that exceeds what non-account customers pay

The Transition to Unleaded Avgas

First, you should understand that the avgas industry is actively transitioning away from 100LL — at least if you’re evaluating the medium-term fuel supply picture, because the FAA’s Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative is driving the introduction of unleaded avgas grades that match or exceed 100LL performance without the lead content. GAMI’s G100UL and Swift Fuels’ UL94 represent the leading candidates for a lead-free replacement, and the FAA approval pathway for fleet-wide authorization is advancing. Pilots buying new aircraft should be aware of this transition when evaluating long-term operating costs.