How many miles can you get out of a Chevy diesel truck?
In practical terms, a Chevy diesel pickup can typically travel roughly 600–700 miles per tank in light-duty configurations, and about 450–650 miles per tank in heavy-duty versions, depending on tank size, engine, and driving conditions.
Diesel range depends on several factors beyond the engine itself. Tank capacity and fuel economy vary by model year and drivetrain, while payload, towing, terrain, weather, and driving habits all influence how far you’ll actually get before needing a refill. This article breaks down the typical ranges for common Chevy diesel trucks and explains what drives those numbers.
Light-Duty Silverado 1500 with 3.0L Duramax
Before listing typical ranges, here's the setup most buyers should expect: the Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel commonly uses a 24-gallon fuel tank, and EPA estimates for 2WD versions are around 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and about 26–27 mpg combined. These figures translate into practical per-tank ranges that vary with driving style and conditions.
- Highway range (2WD, steady speed): about 24 gallons × 33 mpg ≈ 790–800 miles.
- Combined range (typical mixed driving): about 24 gallons × 26–27 mpg ≈ 620–650 miles.
- City range (urban driving): about 24 gallons × 23 mpg ≈ 540–550 miles.
Real-world range will fluctuate with usage. Even within the same model year, a truck that routinely tows, carries heavy loads, or operates in hilly terrain can see noticeably lower per-tank mileage than these figures suggest.
What influences the mileage you see in daily use
Driving conditions, payload, towing, climate controls, and driving style all affect range. A diesel with a loaded bed or trailer-to-tow setup will typically consume more fuel per mile than a lightly loaded one cruising on the highway. Consistent, moderate speeds and efficient driving can help approach the higher end of the EPA estimates.
Heavy-Duty Silverado HD with 6.6L Duramax
The heavy-duty segment uses a larger fuel tank; most Silverado 2500HD/3500HD models with the 6.6L Duramax have a 36-gallon tank. Official fuel economy numbers vary more widely in HD configurations due to payload, towing, gearing, and axle choices, but a broad range can be expected in mixed-use driving. Highway-only and light towing scenarios tend to yield better miles per gallon than heavy towing or city stop-and-go driving.
- Highway range (no tow, steady pace): about 36 gallons × 18 mpg ≈ 650 miles.
- Mixed driving range (typical work use without extreme towing): about 36 gallons × 12–14 mpg ≈ 430–520 miles.
- City range or heavy towing: about 36 gallons × 10–12 mpg ≈ 360–430 miles.
As with the lighter Silverado, the real-world range on a diesel HD truck will vary significantly with how the truck is used. Heavy payloads and frequent towing can push fuel consumption higher, reducing per-tank miles compared with highway-only figures.
Summary
Diesel Chevrolets offer solid range per tank, especially on the light-duty Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax, which can approach roughly 700 miles per tank under favorable conditions. The heavier Silverado HD models with the 6.6L Duramax typically deliver fewer miles per tank when towing or carrying heavy loads, often in the 400–650-mile range depending on driving conditions and payload. For planning trips or work use, it’s wise to factor in payload and towing needs, terrain, and typical driving speed to estimate a realistic per-tank range.
