Diesel vs Gas Truck: What 5 Years Really Costs

Cost example updated November 4, 2026

The answer up front

Everything else is held equal: same trim, same cab, same drivetrain, same miles, same loan, same insurance, same resale percentage. Only the engine changes, plus the maintenance that comes with it.

The $3,114 gap breaks down as fuel $1,076, maintenance $1,500, depreciation $315, tax $56, and interest $167. The diesel costs more in every bucket: it burns fewer gallons and still pays more for fuel, because the per-gallon spread beats the mpg advantage.

The truck pair: same truck, one engine different

For a representative example, use a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD. The October 2026 price is $56,795 including the $2,795 destination charge, from the 2026 pricing and options table. The launch price was $56,195, and the October update moved the base up $600; the comparison uses the October price. On that truck the 5.3 liter V8 option is $1,595 and the 3.0 liter Duramax diesel option is $2,390, so the gas twin prices at $58,390 and the diesel twin at $59,185, a $795 premium for the diesel before tax and financing.

The shared terms match this site's Silverado example: 10% down, 8% APR (the yearly interest rate on the loan), 60 months, 7% sales tax as an example rate, and $900 in title and dealer fees rolled into the loan. Both twins run 12,000 miles a year for five years. Insurance is $180 a month, or $10,800 over five years, from this site's Silverado example, applied to both twins. Resale uses iSeeCars' 2026 study figure for the Silverado 1500, a 39.7% five-year loss, so each twin keeps 60.3% of its price. The same retention is applied to both twins, so any resale edge the diesel might hold is not counted here.

The gas twin finances $57,538 at about $1,167 a month, with about $12,462 in interest. The diesel twin finances $58,309 at about $1,182 a month, with about $12,629 in interest. The down payments are $5,839 for the gas twin and $5,919 for the diesel twin, and the sales tax lines are $4,087 and $4,143.

Fuel: the diesel burns less and still costs more

At 12,000 miles a year the gas twin burns about 706 gallons a year at 17 mpg combined, and the diesel twin burns 500 gallons at 24 mpg combined. At AAA's November 3, 2026 national averages, $4.149 for regular and $6.288 for diesel, that is $2,929 a year for the gas twin and $3,144 a year for the diesel twin, or $14,644 against $15,720 over five years. Per mile, the gas twin runs 24.4 cents on fuel and the diesel twin runs 26.2 cents. The diesel's 41% mpg advantage loses to a 52% per-gallon price premium.

The break-even line is exact: divide the gas price by gas mpg and multiply by diesel mpg. At $4.149 regular and 17 mpg, diesel fuel costs less per mile only while diesel stays under $5.86 a gallon. At $6.288 it sits $0.43 above that line. A year earlier the answer ran the other way: at November 2025 prices of $3.036 regular and $3.68 diesel, the gas twin ran 17.9 cents a mile on fuel and the diesel twin ran 15.3 cents. The pump spread moved the answer, not the trucks.

More miles widen the fuel gap at these prices, because the diesel pays more per mile. At 20,000 miles a year the five-year fuel lines are $24,406 for the gas twin and $26,200 for the diesel twin, a $1,794 gap. High miles help the diesel only when the diesel price sits under the break-even line.

Maintenance: DEF, oil, and filters

The gas twin uses this site's Silverado maintenance figure: $1,100 a year, or $5,500 over five years. The diesel twin uses $1,400 a year, or $7,000 over five years, an example value inside the published span for diesel upkeep. The $300 a year premium is built from three published ranges. Diesel exhaust fluid, which gas trucks do not use, runs one gallon per 300 to 500 miles by one ownership guide, or one gallon per 50 to 75 gallons of diesel burned by another, at $3 to $10 a gallon depending on pump or jug. Diesel oil changes run $200 to $250 at a shop against $80 to $120 for a gas truck, because the diesel holds more oil and uses larger filters. Diesel fuel filter sets run $70 to $150 in parts every 15,000 to 22,500 miles. Together those ranges span roughly $210 to $540 a year, and the $300 example value sits inside that span.

One diesel item sits outside the five-year example: the diesel particulate filter, which traps soot to meet emissions standards. Published guides put a replacement at $2,500 to $5,000 out of warranty. Inside the five-year window the truck is within its powertrain warranty, so no replacement is counted, but the part is a real beyond-five-years risk that gas trucks do not carry.

Towing and capability: the diesel's non-price case

The diesel's case is capability, and the ratings are published. The Duramax Silverado 1500 is rated to tow up to 13,300 pounds against 11,300 pounds for the 5.3 liter V8, a 2,000 pound difference. Torque runs 495 pound-feet against 383, a 112 pound-foot difference. The gas V8 makes more horsepower, 355 against 305. This example uses 12,000 mixed-use miles a year, so towing miles are not in either fuel line, and no dollar figure is attached to the towing difference. A truck that tows heavy trailers regularly runs different fuel lines on both sides, and that use case is where the diesel's torque and range matter most. For the same truck priced as a work tool, see what a work truck costs a small contractor.

The full five-year math, both twins

Every figure below comes from the site's own calculator math. The stated inputs are: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD, gas twin $58,390 with the 5.3 liter V8, diesel twin $59,185 with the 3.0 liter Duramax, 10% down, 8% APR, 60 months, 7% sales tax as an example rate, $900 in title and dealer fees, 12,000 miles per year, gas 17 mpg at $4.149 a gallon, diesel 24 mpg at $6.288 a gallon, $180 a month insurance, gas maintenance $1,100 a year, diesel maintenance $1,400 a year, and 60.3% resale after five years for both twins.

Gas twin:

• Depreciation: $23,181 ($58,390 minus $35,209 resale)
• Insurance: $10,800 ($180 x 60 months)
• Fuel: $14,644 (12,000 / 17 x $4.149 x 5 years)
• Maintenance: $5,500 ($1,100 x 5 years)
• Tax, fees, and interest: $17,449 ($4,087 sales tax, $900 fees, $12,462 loan interest)

That totals $71,574 over five years, or about $1,193 a month. During the loan years the cash actually going out is about $1,682 a month, payment plus insurance, fuel, and upkeep together, plus the $5,839 down payment at purchase. Cash out the door totals about $106,783 against that $71,574 true cost, with the $35,209 resale as the difference.

Diesel twin:

• Depreciation: $23,496 ($59,185 minus $35,689 resale)
• Insurance: $10,800 ($180 x 60 months)
• Fuel: $15,720 (12,000 / 24 x $6.288 x 5 years)
• Maintenance: $7,000 ($1,400 x 5 years)
• Tax, fees, and interest: $17,672 ($4,143 sales tax, $900 fees, $12,629 loan interest)

That totals $74,688 over five years, or about $1,245 a month. During the loan years the cash actually going out is about $1,741 a month, payment plus insurance, fuel, and upkeep together, plus the $5,919 down payment at purchase. Cash out the door totals about $110,377 against that $74,688 true cost, with the $35,689 resale as the difference.

The $3,114 gap, in order: fuel $1,076, maintenance $1,500, depreciation $315, tax $56, and interest $167.

Formula

Both twins are the same 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD, on the same terms: 10% down, 8% APR, 60 months, 7% sales tax as an example rate, and $900 in title and dealer fees rolled into the loan. Both run 12,000 miles a year for five years. Insurance is $180 a month, or $10,800 over five years, applied to both twins. Resale uses iSeeCars' 2026 study figure for the Silverado 1500, a 39.7% five-year loss, so each twin keeps 60.3% of its price. The gas twin is $58,390 with the 5.3 liter V8 at $1,595 over the TurboMax, and the diesel twin is $59,185 with the 3.0 liter Duramax at $2,390, a $795 premium for the diesel before tax and financing.

Gas twin: depreciation $23,181 ($58,390 minus $35,209 resale), insurance $10,800, fuel $14,644 (12,000 divided by 17 times $4.149 times 5 years), maintenance $5,500 ($1,100 times 5 years), tax, fees, and interest $17,449 ($4,087 sales tax, $900 fees, $12,462 loan interest). That totals $71,574 over five years, or about $1,193 a month. Diesel twin: depreciation $23,496 ($59,185 minus $35,689 resale), insurance $10,800, fuel $15,720 (12,000 divided by 24 times $6.288 times 5 years), maintenance $7,000 ($1,400 times 5 years), tax, fees, and interest $17,672 ($4,143 sales tax, $900 fees, $12,629 loan interest). That totals $74,688 over five years, or about $1,245 a month. The $3,114 gap, in order: fuel $1,076, maintenance $1,500, depreciation $315, tax $56, and interest $167.

What these numbers do not settle

Honest gaps, stated here rather than settled quietly. First, gas mpg: the 5.3 liter V8 with four-wheel drive is listed at 17 mpg combined in Edmunds' test data and in fueleconomy.gov tables, and at 18 in one other EPA table. This page uses 17. At 18 mpg the gas fuel line would be $13,830, about $814 lower, and the diesel gap would widen to about $3,928. Second, resale: the same 60.3% retention is applied to both twins. If diesel trucks hold a resale edge, the diesel column improves, but no engine-specific resale figure was verified, so none is counted. Third, insurance: one ownership guide puts diesel insurance 10 to 15 percent above a comparable gas truck. This example applies the same $180 a month to both twins, so any diesel insurance premium would widen the gap. Fourth, fuel prices: $4.149 and $6.288 are a dated snapshot from November 3, 2026, not a five-year promise, and the spread moves the answer, as the break-even line above shows. Fifth, fees: the $900 covers title and dealer fees at purchase only; yearly registration and renewal fees are not in this example and vary by state. Sixth, towing miles: the example uses mixed-use miles, so heavy towing fuel lines on both sides are not modeled. Seventh, option prices: the $1,595 and $2,390 option figures come from the 2026 options table, and a written quote for the exact truck replaces them.

Sources: GM Authority 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pricing with options and packages, options table, October 2026 prices; EPA ratings via Edmunds 2025 Silverado 1500 diesel review and fueleconomy.gov; AAA national averages, November 3, 2026, regular $4.149, diesel $6.288; iSeeCars 2026 study, Silverado 1500 five-year loss 39.7%; diesel maintenance ranges from published ownership guides (VEHQ diesel ownership costs; Truck Report Geeks diesel vs gas; OrganizerTone diesel vs gas truck ownership costs); towing and torque ratings from published Silverado 1500 specifications. Figures checked November 4, 2026.

Calculation transparency

Scope. One truck, one engine different: a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD, gas 5.3 liter V8 against diesel 3.0 liter Duramax, everything else held equal, same trim, same cab, same drivetrain, same miles, same loan, same insurance, same resale percentage. Only the engine changes, plus the maintenance that comes with it.

Rules and time period. October 2026 price $56,795 including the $2,795 destination charge, from the 2026 pricing and options table. V8 option $1,595, Duramax option $2,390. 10% down, 8% APR, 60 months, 7% sales tax as an example rate, $900 in title and dealer fees, 12,000 miles a year, gas 17 mpg at $4.149 a gallon, diesel 24 mpg at $6.288 a gallon, AAA national averages November 3, 2026, $180 a month insurance, gas maintenance $1,100 a year, diesel maintenance $1,400 a year, 60.3% resale after five years for both twins.

Scope and limitations. Educational estimate only. Seven honest gaps, stated on this page rather than settled quietly: the gas mpg is listed at 17 in Edmunds test data and fueleconomy.gov tables and at 18 in one other EPA table, and this page uses 17; the same 60.3% retention is applied to both twins, so any diesel resale edge is not counted; the same $180 a month insurance is applied to both twins, though one ownership guide puts diesel insurance 10 to 15 percent above a comparable gas truck; $4.149 and $6.288 are a dated snapshot from November 3, 2026, not a five-year promise; the $900 covers title and dealer fees at purchase only, and yearly registration and renewal fees are not in this example; towing miles are not modeled, since the example uses mixed-use miles; and the $1,595 and $2,390 option figures come from the 2026 options table, and a written quote for the exact truck replaces them. The diesel particulate filter, $2,500 to $5,000 out of warranty, sits outside the five-year example because the truck is within its powertrain warranty inside the window. Insurance quotes, gas prices, and local rates vary by driver and address. Get a real quote for the same car, coverage, and loan before you decide.

Source links checked November 6, 2026. Figures: GM Authority 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pricing with options and packages, options table, October 2026 prices; EPA ratings via Edmunds 2025 Silverado 1500 diesel review and fueleconomy.gov; AAA national averages, November 3, 2026, regular $4.149, diesel $6.288; iSeeCars 2026 study, Silverado 1500 five-year loss 39.7%; diesel maintenance ranges from published ownership guides, VEHQ diesel ownership costs, Truck Report Geeks diesel vs gas, OrganizerTone diesel vs gas truck ownership costs; towing and torque ratings from published Silverado 1500 specifications. Figures checked November 4, 2026. The GM Authority, EPA, iSeeCars, maintenance-guide, and specification sources are named only, not linked.

Primary sources: AAA gas prices; EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update; Edmunds 2026 Silverado 1500 diesel review. How the numbers are calculated is written down on the methodology page, and every source is listed on the sources page.

Definitions

Gas twin. The 2026 Silverado 1500 LT with the 5.3 liter V8, at $58,390, 17 mpg combined, $71,574 over five years.

Diesel twin. The same truck with the 3.0 liter Duramax diesel, at $59,185, 24 mpg combined, $74,688 over five years.

DEF. Diesel exhaust fluid, a running line item gas trucks do not have. Published ownership guides put DEF consumption at one gallon per 300 to 500 miles, or one gallon per 50 to 75 gallons of diesel burned, at $3 to $10 a gallon depending on pump or jug. This example folds DEF into a $300 a year maintenance premium over the gas truck.

Break-even line. The diesel price where diesel fuel costs the same per mile as gas: divide the gas price by gas mpg and multiply by diesel mpg. At $4.149 regular and 17 mpg, diesel fuel costs less per mile only while diesel stays under $5.86 a gallon.

Torque. Twisting force, measured in pound-feet. The Duramax makes 495 pound-feet against 383 for the gas V8.

Towing rating. The most the truck is rated to tow. The Duramax Silverado 1500 is rated to tow up to 13,300 pounds against 11,300 pounds for the 5.3 liter V8.

APR. Annual percentage rate, the yearly interest rate on the loan. This example uses 8%. For context, Experian reported average rates of 6.35% on new cars and 11.19% on used cars in the second quarter of 2026.

DPF. Diesel particulate filter, which traps soot to meet emissions standards. Published guides put a replacement at $2,500 to $5,000 out of warranty. Inside the five-year window the truck is within its powertrain warranty, so no replacement is counted.

Questions people actually ask

Does a diesel truck cost more to own than a gas truck?

In this example, yes: about $74,688 over five years for the diesel against about $71,574 for the gas twin, a gap of about $3,114. The gap is fuel at $1,076, maintenance at $1,500, depreciation at $315, tax at $56, and interest at $167. At November 2026 pump prices the diesel costs more per mile on fuel, so its case in this example is towing, not fuel savings.

How much more does the diesel engine cost than the gas V8?

On the same 2026 Silverado 1500 LT, the Duramax diesel option is $2,390 and the 5.3 liter V8 option is $1,595, so the diesel costs $795 more than the gas engine before tax and financing. Both options sit on the same LT Crew Cab Short Bed 4WD in the 2026 options table.

Does a diesel truck save money on fuel?

Not at November 2026 pump prices. The diesel burns less fuel, 24 mpg combined against 17, but diesel costs $6.288 a gallon against $4.149 for regular, so the diesel runs about 26.2 cents a mile on fuel against about 24.4 cents for the gas twin. Diesel fuel costs less per mile only when diesel falls under $5.86 a gallon while regular sits at $4.149.

What does DEF add to diesel ownership?

Diesel exhaust fluid is a running line item gas trucks do not have. Published ownership guides put DEF consumption at one gallon per 300 to 500 miles, or one gallon per 50 to 75 gallons of diesel burned, at $3 to $10 a gallon depending on pump or jug. This example folds DEF into a $300 a year maintenance premium over the gas truck, together with pricier oil changes and fuel filters, for $1,500 over five years.

Does a diesel truck tow more than the same gas truck?

Yes, on ratings: the Duramax Silverado 1500 is rated to tow up to 13,300 pounds against 11,300 pounds for the 5.3 liter V8, with 495 pound-feet of torque against 383. The gas V8 makes more horsepower, 355 against 305. Towing miles are not in this example, which uses 12,000 mixed-use miles a year, so no dollar figure is attached to the towing difference.

Related: See how much it costs to own a pickup truck, the full five-year picture.

Related: See what it costs per mile to drive, where the fuel difference shows up.

Related: See how much car maintenance costs per year, including the diesel difference.