Vehicle comparison
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs GMC Sierra 1500
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
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 costs about $2070 per year, roughly $0 less than the GMC Sierra 1500. Over 5 years, that's about $0 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | GMC Sierra 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | TRUCK | TRUCK |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 18 | 18 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 23 | 23 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 20 | 20 |
| Tank / Battery | 24 gal | 24 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.172 | $0.172 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | GMC Sierra 1500 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $0 (Tie) |
| 12,000 | $2070/yr · $173/mo | $2070/yr · $173/mo | $0 (Tie) |
| 15,000 | $2588/yr · $216/mo | $2588/yr · $216/mo | $0 (Tie) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Chevrolet Silverado 1500Best for road trips
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Chevrolet Silverado 1500Best for families
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Chevrolet Silverado 1500Best for lowest running cost
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Chevrolet Silverado 1500How 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 1500 or GMC Sierra 1500?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 costs about $2070 per year vs $2070 for the GMC Sierra 1500 — roughly $0 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500?
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated around 20 combined MPG versus 20 MPG for the GMC Sierra 1500. Highway figures are 23 vs 23.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $10350 for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and $10350 for the GMC Sierra 1500, a difference of roughly $0.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or GMC Sierra 1500 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 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.