Chevrolet Silverado vs Ram 1500: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ram 1500 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $3,000 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (1500, 22 MPG combined), against $3,340 for the Chevrolet Silverado (Silverado, 20 MPG combined). That is $340 a year, or $1,700 over five years.
Both are classed as Standard pickups by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Gas
- Standard pickups
Chevrolet Silverado
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Silverado
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$22.27 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
31 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Ram 1500
Lowest fuel cost configuration
1500
$20.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
10 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Chevrolet Silverado$3,340 a year · $22.27 per 100 mi
- Ram 1500$3,000 a year · $20.00 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$340
Ram 1500 costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,700
$340 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Silverado | 1500 |
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 20 MPG | 22 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 18 MPG | 20 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 21 MPG | 25 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,340/yr | $3,000/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $22.27 | $20.00 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,310–$5,360 | $3,000–$6,760 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 31 | 10 |
| EPA class | Standard pickups | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 20 MPG · $3,340/yr Silverado | 21 MPG · $3,190/yr 1500 |
| Hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 | 22 MPG · $3,000/yr 1500 |
| Electric | 70 MPGe · $1,310/yr Silverado EV Ext Range WT | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Diesel | 25 MPG · $3,730/yr Silverado | Not offered in MY2026 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Chevrolet Silverado
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Ram 1500 does not
- Offers diesel configurations in MY2026; the Ram 1500 does not
Ram 1500
- Lower annual fuel cost: $3,000 vs $3,340
- Higher combined rating: 22 MPG vs 20 MPG
- Higher city rating: 20 MPG vs 18 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 25 MPG vs 21 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $3,190 vs $3,340
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Silverado does not
Year by year
| Model year | Chevrolet Silverado | Ram 1500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 15–25 MPG | $1,310–$5,360 | 12–22 MPG | $3,000–$6,760 |
| 2025 | 15–26 MPG | $1,330–$5,360 | 15–23 MPG | $2,890–$5,430 |
| 2024 | 15–26 MPG | $1,390–$5,360 | 12–23 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2023 | 15–26 MPG | $3,290–$5,300 | 12–24 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2022 | 14–26 MPG | $3,240–$5,600 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2021 | 14–27 MPG | $3,100–$5,020 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2020 | 15–27 MPG | $3,100–$5,210 | 17–26 MPG | $2,890–$4,410 |
| 2019 | 15–21 MPG | $3,100–$4,670 | 17–23 MPG | $2,900–$4,420 |
| 2018 | 17–20 MPG | $3,290–$4,740 | 14–23 MPG | $3,310–$5,140 |
| 2017 | 17–20 MPG | $3,290–$3,920 | 15–23 MPG | $3,310–$4,850 |
| 2016 | 17–20 MPG | $3,290–$3,870 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,860 |
| 2015 | 17–20 MPG | $3,290–$3,870 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,850 |
| 2014 | 17–20 MPG | $3,300–$3,940 | 15–23 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 |
| 2013 | 14–21 MPG | $3,100–$4,610 | 15–21 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year. Electric configurations are not included in the MPG range of a year that also has other powertrains.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ram 1500?
The Ram 1500 is cheaper: about $3,000 a year against $3,340 for the Chevrolet Silverado, a difference of $340 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ram 1500 save over five years?
About $1,700 ($340 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Chevrolet Silverado or the Ram 1500?
The Ram 1500 is rated 22 MPG combined against 20 MPG for the Chevrolet Silverado. City: 18 MPG vs 20 MPG. Highway: 21 MPG vs 25 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ram 1500 in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.
Explore these cars
- Chevrolet Silverado: ratings, trims and every model year
- Ram 1500: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Chevrolet Silverado: all configurations
- 2026 Ram 1500: all configurations
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