In this paper, an MILP (mixed integer linear programming) model is formulated to perform a sequential expansion planning of biofuel production system with fast pyrolysis, hydroprocessing and refining technology. Liquid transportation fuels are the major products of this renewable conversion process. The planning objective is to maximize the net present profit of the entire biofuel production system over the planning horizon. The planning horizon selected is from 2014 to 2022, the target year of the RFS2 (revised renewable fuel standard). A case study in Iowa is implemented, analyzing the sequential spatial construction decisions under a variety of processing goals. The potential of drop-in fuels production from corn stover in Iowa is examined, showing an around 40 cents per gallon profit under the optimal location-allocation planning. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.