How many miles per gallon does a 2018 2500HD get?

The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD’s miles-per-gallon varies significantly by engine and drivetrain. In general, gas models are in the low-teens city and mid-teens to high-teens highway, while diesel models push higher numbers, especially on the highway. Real-world mileage will depend on load, towing, terrain, and driving style.

Engine options and EPA ranges

The following summarizes the main powertrains available for the 2018 Silverado 2500HD and their typical EPA ranges by configuration. Numbers are approximate and reflect EPA estimates; actual fuel economy varies with load and conditions.

Gasoline engine: 6.0L V8

Two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) versions share the same basic engine, with mpg differing mainly by drivetrain. EPA estimates typically place these in the low-teens for city driving and upper-teens for highway driving.

• 2WD: roughly 11 mpg city / 17 mpg highway; combined around 13–14 mpg.


• 4WD: roughly 11 mpg city / 16–17 mpg highway; combined around 12–14 mpg.

Note: Real-world numbers can swing based on payload, towing, and terrain.

Diesel engine: 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8

The Duramax option typically yields better highway efficiency and maintains solid torque for heavy-duty work. EPA figures generally place these in the mid-teens for city and the low-to-mid 20s for highway, with slight decreases under heavier loads or with 4WD.

• 2WD: roughly 15–16 mpg city / 20–23 mpg highway; combined around 18–20 mpg.


• 4WD: roughly 15–16 mpg city / 18–22 mpg highway; combined around 18–20 mpg.

Keep in mind that towing heavy trailers or hauling loads can significantly reduce these numbers, especially for the diesel.

What affects actual fuel economy?

Several factors influence the mpg you’ll see in daily driving beyond the engine choice and drivetrain. Understanding these can help set expectations and optimize efficiency.

• Payload and towing: Heavier loads reduce fuel economy, particularly with gasoline powertrains.


• Terrain and driving conditions: City stop-and-go traffic lowers mpg more than steady highway cruising.


• Drivetrain configuration: 4WD generally lowers mpg vs. 2WD due to added drivetrain loss.


• Maintenance and tires: Proper tire inflation, timely maintenance, and fresh filters help sustain efficiency.


• Aerodynamics and payload setup: Closed tonneau covers, bed clutter, and wind resistance affect highway mpg.

To maximize efficiency, maintain proper tire pressure, minimize unnecessary weight, and plan trips to avoid unnecessary idling or frequent accelerations.

Bottom line

For the 2018 Silverado 2500HD, fuel economy spans a wide range: gas 6.0L V8 models typically land in the low-teens to mid-teens in mpg, with highway numbers around the high teens, while the 6.6L Duramax diesel usually delivers higher highway efficiency and overall mpg in the upper-teens to low-20s, depending on configuration. Always refer to the EPA ratings for your exact model year and configuration, and remember that real-world mileage will vary with use.

Summary: The 2018 Silverado 2500HD’s mpg varies by engine and drivetrain, with gas models around 11 mpg city and 16–18 mpg highway (lower with 4WD) and diesel models around 15–16 mpg city and 18–23 mpg highway, giving a broad overall range typical of heavy-duty trucks.

What year to stay away from a Chevy 2500?

Years to avoid for the Chevy Silverado 2500HD include 2003–2006, which had issues with brake lines, ABS, and electrical components. Additionally, the 2014–2015 models are also problematic due to high recall numbers, transmission complaints, and AC problems, along with potential transmission failures in some 2017 and 2018 models. 
This video discusses the best and worst years of the Chevy Silverado: 59sCar Lensy YouTube · Sep 11, 2025
Early 2000s models

• 2003–2006: These years are notorious for safety concerns related to their brake systems, especially brake line corrosion. They also experienced frequent issues with the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and malfunctioning instrument clusters. 

Third-generation models (2014–2019) 

• 2014–2015: Despite being a new generation, these models had a high number of recalls and were plagued by transmission complaints, electrical faults, and air conditioning problems. 
• 2017: This year is specifically mentioned for transmission issues. 
• 2019: This model year had several reported issues, particularly in the early stages, and the 6.2L V8 engine faced a safety probe for potential engine failures in 2019–2024 models. 

Specific engine and component issues

• Duramax LML engines (2011–2016): These are prone to CP4 fuel pump failures, and it is recommended to replace the pump to prevent damage, notes Hot Shot's Secret. 
• Duramax LLY engines (2004.5–2005): Known to overheat, so proper cooling and airflow are essential, says Hot Shot's Secret. 
• Transmission problems: Beyond the specific years mentioned, some models from 2014 to 2019 on the 1500 series had issues with the factory tune causing premature wear and potential failure, according to Reddit users. 

This video discusses the top 5 problems in the third generation of the Chevy Silverado 2500 truck: 59sCar ExpertlyYouTube · Jun 4, 2025

What fuel mileage does a 6.6 l Duramax diesel get?

The 6.6L Duramax engine's MPG varies, but typically ranges from 15-18 MPG for mixed driving and 17-20 MPG for unloaded highway driving. Actual mileage depends heavily on factors like driving conditions, towing, and the specific model year. Some newer models achieve higher efficiency, with a 2025 Silverado HD hitting 20.4 MPG on a controlled highway loop. 
This video shows a fuel economy test of a 2021 Chevy Silverado HD with the 6.6L Duramax engine towing a trailer: 48struckguyjoeYouTube · Jan 15, 2021
Mileage breakdown by driving type: 
This video demonstrates a fuel economy test of a 2024 Chevy Silverado HD Duramax: 57sDaily MotorYouTube · Jun 27, 2023

• Mixed/City: Around 15 MPG or lower, especially with stop-and-go traffic. 
• Highway (unloaded): Typically 17-20 MPG, but can vary with speed. 
• Towing: Expect significantly lower mileage, often in the 10-14 MPG range depending on the load and terrain. 

Factors that influence MPG:

• Towing and load: Hauling heavy loads reduces fuel efficiency. 
• Driving conditions: Hilly terrain or stop-and-go city traffic lowers MPG. 
• Vehicle age and break-in: Newer trucks may improve after an initial break-in period, with some owners reporting increased mileage after a few thousand miles. 
• Other factors: Speed, road conditions, and factors like the truck's emissions system (e.g., temporary DPF regen cycles) can also have an effect. 

You can watch this video to see real-world mileage results for a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax: 1mDaily MotorYouTube · Mar 26, 2022

How do you get 30 MPG on a Duramax?

General Tips for Better MPG

1. Don't let your truck idle for long periods of time if you can help it. Idling burns a lot of fuel and your gas mileage will take a hit.
2. Don't be heavy on the gas.
3. Watch your tire pressure.
4. Service and maintain your Duramax truck regularly.

How many miles per gallon does a Chevy 2500hd get?

The Chevy 2500HD's MPG varies by model year and engine, but generally ranges from approximately 13-14 MPG in the city and 17-18 MPG on the highway for the standard gas engine. The Duramax diesel engine offers better fuel economy, with estimates as high as 17 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway, or around 20.4 MPG in a controlled loop. Factors like driving conditions, towing, and trim level also impact the final mileage.
 
Gasoline engine
You can watch this video to see a real-world test of the Chevy 2500HD's gas engine fuel economy: 57sGetty's GarageYouTube · Oct 27, 2025

• City: Approximately 13-14 MPG 
• Highway: Approximately 17-18 MPG 
• Some sources cite slightly higher figures for specific trims like the Work Truck, Custom, and LT, at 18 MPG city / 21 MPG highway, while others like the LTZ and High Country are slightly lower. 
• For a 2025 model, expect around 16-17 MPG in mixed driving. 

Diesel (Duramax) engine 
This video demonstrates a test of the Chevy 2500HD diesel engine's fuel economy while towing: 1mGetty's GarageYouTube · Apr 28, 2024

• City: Approximately 17 MPG
• Highway: Approximately 20-23 MPG
• One source reported up to 20.4 MPG during a controlled 100-mile loop.
• This can provide 30-35% better fuel efficiency compared to the gas model. 

Factors that influence MPG

• Engine: The Duramax diesel engine consistently offers better fuel economy than the gas engine. 
• Trim Level: Different trims can have slightly different MPG ratings. 
• Towing and Hauling: Extra weight from towing or carrying heavy loads will significantly decrease fuel efficiency. 
• Driving Habits: Aggressive driving will lower your MPG, while consistent speeds on the highway improve it. 
• Maintenance: Keeping up with regular maintenance can help maintain optimal fuel efficiency.