Vehicle comparison
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) vs Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) costs about $2718 per year, roughly $362 less than the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax). Over 5 years, that's about $1812 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) | Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | TRUCK | TRUCK |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| City MPG/MPGe | 14 | 14 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 18 | 20 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 15 | 17 |
| Tank / Battery | 36 gal | 31 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.85/gal | $3.85/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.257 | $0.226 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) | Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $2053/yr · $171/mo | $1812/yr · $151/mo | $242 (Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)) |
| 12,000 | $3080/yr · $257/mo | $2718/yr · $226/mo | $362 (Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)) |
| 15,000 | $3850/yr · $321/mo | $3397/yr · $283/mo | $453 (Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)Best for road trips
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)Best for families
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)Best for lowest running cost
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) or Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) costs about $2718 per year vs $3080 for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) — roughly $362 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) and Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel)?
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) is rated around 15 combined MPG versus 17 MPG for the Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel). Highway figures are 18 vs 20.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $15400 for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) and $13588 for the Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel), a difference of roughly $1812.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (Duramax) or Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Ram 2500 (Cummins Diesel) is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.