Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 14, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000778164
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		55,493,235
Entity File Number	000-21467
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE