Last Updated on January 16, 2025
Choosing between a diesel and gas truck depends on your specific needs, preferences, and driving habits. Diesel engines are known for their durability and towing power, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks, while gas engines often appeal to those prioritizing lower upfront costs and maintenance. Understanding the key differences can help you make a confident and informed decision.

This guide compares gas and diesel trucks across eight critical criteria, including availability, purchase cost, fuel economy, and long-term value. With nearly 20 diesel models available, ranging from the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to the Ram 3500, you’ll find options for half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton categories. Use this breakdown to simplify your decision-making process and find the truck that best fits your needs.
DIESEL TRUCK | GAS TRUCK | |
Availability | Less available | More available |
Purchase Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
Maintenance Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
Miles Per Gallon | More fuel efficient | Less fuel efficient |
Performance | Better hauling, torque, and low-speed control | Higher payload and horsepower, wider operating RPM range |
Longevity | More durable | Less durable |
Driving Habits | For longer trips | For shorter trips |
Total Cost of Ownership | Better fuel costs and resale value | Better purchase price and maintenance costs |
Reasons to Choose a Diesel Engine Truck

If you’re considering a truck for heavy-duty tasks or long-distance travel, a diesel engine might be the right choice for you. Diesel-engine trucks are known for providing power, efficiency, and durability, making them a popular option for both professional and recreational use. Here are some compelling reasons to choose a diesel engine truck:
Better Fuel Economy: Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines, especially during highway driving and when towing heavy loads. This efficiency can lead to significant cost savings over time for long-distance users or those who frequently haul extra weight.
Superior Towing and Hauling Capability: Diesels provide higher torque at lower RPMs, making them ideal for towing heavy trailers and hauling substantial payloads. This characteristic makes diesel engines a preferred choice for activities such as construction, farming, or recreational towing.
Longevity and Durability: Built with robust components, diesel engines often outlast their gasoline counterparts. This durability is particularly beneficial for owners who operate their trucks under demanding conditions.
Higher Resale Value: Diesel trucks tend to retain their value better over time due to their durability and desirability for specific applications.
Better Performance in Specific Applications: Diesels excel in tasks requiring low-speed power and control, such as off-road climbing, steep grade hauling, and navigating rocky terrain.
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Reasons to Choose Gas Engine Truck

If affordability and convenience are your top priorities, you might prefer gas engine trucks. These trucks are often ideal for lighter workloads, daily driving, and buyers looking to save on upfront and maintenance costs. Below are some of the key reasons to choose a gas engine truck:
Lower Initial Purchase Cost: Gas-powered trucks generally have a lower upfront cost compared to diesel-engine trucks, making them a more budget-friendly option for many buyers.
Lower Maintenance Costs: Maintenance for gasoline engines is typically less expensive than diesel maintenance, with cheaper oil changes, parts, and services. This can be advantageous for owners seeking lower ongoing expenses.
Better Performance for Light Duty: Gasoline engines typically produce higher horsepower, resulting in better acceleration and top-end speed, making them suitable for everyday driving and occasional towing.
Convenience for Short Trips: Gas engines are more suitable for short trips and stop-and-go traffic, whereas diesel engines can encounter issues like clogged filters when not used for longer distances.
Easier Fuel Access: While most fuel stations offer both gas and diesel, some rural or remote areas may have limited diesel availability. Opting for a gas-powered truck can alleviate this concern.
Comparing Gas vs. Diesel Trucks

When comparing gas vs. diesel trucks, there are eight key factors to evaluate, each highlighting the strengths and trade-offs of the two options:
1. Availability

When searching for a new or used vehicle, availability plays a crucial role, especially for diesel-powered trucks. High demand and limited supply can increase prices, making it more challenging to find the perfect truck at a suitable price.
While diesel-powered trucks are available, finding your preferred model with the desired features, color, or trim may be difficult. You might need to expand your search outside of your local area, potentially adding transportation costs and complexity to your purchase.
Another factor to consider is the accessibility of refueling stations. While most stations offer both diesel and gasoline, availability may vary depending on your location, particularly in more remote or rural areas.
2. Purchase Cost

Diesel-powered trucks typically come with a higher upfront cost compared to their gas-powered counterparts. For example, a half-ton diesel will cost more than $5,000 over a comparable gas-engine truck. That number increases to $10,000 or more above comparable gas-engine options.
The reason diesels cost more is because their engines contain more parts and are more durable than gas engines.
3. Maintenance Cost

Maintaining a diesel vehicle often comes with higher costs compared to one that is gasoline-powered one. Diesel engines have additional components, such as specialized filters and hoses, which increase the number of parts that may need repairs or replacements over time. Routine services, like oil changes, are also more expensive for diesel vehicles. Additionally, diesel engines require the regular use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), an added expense that gasoline-powered trucks don’t require to maintain.
The exception is when gasoline-powered trucks are subjected to high-demand conditions. Frequent acceleration and deceleration, heavy towing, and accumulating significant mileage can all take a toll on the engine. Under these circumstances, the repair and maintenance costs for gas trucks can equal or even surpass those of a diesel option.
4. Miles Per Gallon

One of the key advantages of diesel engines is superior fuel efficiency. While gas-powered vehicles have seen significant improvements in recent years, diesel engines consistently outperform them in this area. Diesels deliver better mileage across various scenarios, whether you’re navigating city streets, cruising on the highway, towing heavy loads, or driving with no cargo at all. This enhanced efficiency not only reduces fuel costs over time but also makes diesel vehicles a practical choice for those who prioritize long-term savings and performance.
5. Performance

When it comes to “performance,” there are several important factors to evaluate, including speed, towing capacity, and off-road capability. Each of these aspects plays a critical role in determining how well a truck can handle different tasks and environments:
Hauling: Diesel-powered trucks offer two key advantages. First, they provide significantly more low end torque (at lower RPMs), making them better suited for heavy hauling. Second, many diesel trucks are equipped with an integrated exhaust brake, which helps prevent trailer sway and reduces brake wear, enhancing both safety and longevity.
Payload: Gas-powered trucks typically offer a higher payload capacity, meaning they can carry more weight in the bed without a trailer. In contrast, diesel-powered trucks tend to have a higher gross vehicle weight, which reduces the amount of weight they can carry in comparison. This huge difference is primarily due to the heavier engine and components in diesel trucks.
Torque: When it comes to torque, regular gas engines simply can’t match diesel engines. For instance, one-ton diesel-powered trucks can deliver over 900 pound-feet of torque, a level of power that gas trucks struggle to reach. In comparison, even the most powerful gas-powered trucks typically produce only about half that amount of torque. This makes diesel engines the clear choice for heavy-duty tasks like towing and hauling.
Speed: Gas engines offer higher horsepower, which translates into faster acceleration and better top speeds compared to diesel engines. This makes them the ideal choice for people who want quick bursts of speed, whether on highways or for performance-focused tasks. The added horsepower allows gas trucks to accelerate more rapidly and reach higher speeds, making them well-suited for applications where speed is a top priority.
Off-Road Driving: Gas-powered trucks excel in off-road conditions with a wider operating RPM range in each gear, which makes navigating sandy deserts or clearing mud from tires easier. The lighter front end of gas trucks also reduces the chances of getting stuck in soft terrain like mud or sand, making them more agile in these environments. Comparatively, diesel-powered trucks provide superior low-speed control, allowing for better handling when tackling large rocks or uneven terrain. Their high torque gives them more power to ascend steeper grades, making them the ideal choice for tougher, more demanding off-road challenges.
6. Longevity

Diesel engines are known for their longevity, often outlasting gas engines due to their construction with more durable, heavy-duty components. These engines are designed to endure the stresses of high-torque applications, resulting in less wear and tear over time. Additionally, because diesel-powered trucks excel in tasks like hauling and towing, their parts experience less strain in typical use, further contributing to their extended lifespan. This durability makes diesel trucks a reliable long-term investment for those who rely on their vehicle for demanding tasks.
7. Driving Habits

If your driving mostly consists of short trips, a gas-powered truck may be the better option. Diesel engines are more likely to encounter issues like clogged filters when used for frequent, short-distance driving. However, if you’re tough on your vehicles or regularly tackle demanding driving conditions, a diesel engine is built to withstand the strain. For long-distance travelers, a diesel engine offers superior fuel efficiency, allowing you to save money on fuel over time. Consider your driving habits to determine which engine best meets your needs.
8. Total Cost of Ownership

The total cost of ownership encompasses several key factors, including the initial purchase price, ongoing maintenance costs, fuel prices, and eventual resale value.
While gas-powered trucks tend to fare better on the purchase price and maintenance costs, diesel trucks have an advantage in fuel efficiency and long-term resale value.
For diesel-powered trucks, mileage plays a significant role in determining which option offers the best value. Up to around 150,000 miles, the lower initial cost and maintenance expenses of gas trucks may be more economical. However, once that milestone is surpassed, the superior fuel economy of diesel trucks starts to offer significant cost savings, making them the more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Diesel vs. Gas Trucks: The Verdict

If you regularly sell and replace your truck before it reaches 150,000 miles, selecting a gas-powered truck will probably be the better cost option. However, if you regularly hold on to a vehicle until it reaches a higher mileage range, then the diesel-powered truck is likely to prove the more cost-effective option.
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Start exploring today to secure a powerful, reliable diesel engine truck at a price you can’t resist!