How Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator Works?
This tool works by subtracting the yearly fuel cost of the diesel vehicle from the yearly fuel cost of the gasoline vehicle. The result is the annual cost gap between the 2 fuels.
Price the gasoline vehicle
Calculate yearly gas cost. The default is 15,000 miles at 28 miles per gallon (MPG) and $3.50 per gallon: $1,875.
Price the diesel vehicle
Calculate yearly diesel cost. The default is 15,000 miles at 38 MPG and $4.10 per gallon: $1,618.
Enter both yearly costs
Put the gasoline total in field 1 and the diesel total in field 2.
Read the annual difference
The tool shows the yearly dollar gap.
Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator Formula
The formula is Annual Difference = |Gasoline Annual Cost − Diesel Annual Cost|.
Difference = |Gasoline Annual Cost − Diesel Annual Cost|Formula variables
- Gasoline Annual Cost
- (Miles ÷ Gas MPG) × Gas Price.
- Diesel Annual Cost
- (Miles ÷ Diesel MPG) × Diesel Price.
Worked example
- Gasoline (28 MPG @ $3.50): $1,875.00/yr
- Diesel (38 MPG @ $4.10): $1,618.00/yr
- Gasoline: (15,000 ÷ 28) × $3.50 = $1,875.
- Diesel: (15,000 ÷ 38) × $4.10 = $1,618.
- Difference: $1,875 − $1,618 = $257.00 per year.
Result: $257.00 ($ annual difference)
Diesel fuel holds about 13% more energy per gallon than gasoline, which helps diesel engines reach 20% to 35% higher MPG. Diesel often costs $0.40 to $0.80 more per gallon, which narrows the gap.
Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator Conversion Table
The table shows the yearly gap for 3 gasoline costs against 3 diesel costs.
Rows: Gasoline (28 MPG @ $3.50) ($/yr). Columns: Diesel (38 MPG @ $4.10) ($/yr). Cells: $ annual difference.
| $/yr | $1,400.00/yr | $1,618.00/yr | $1,900.00/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500.00/yr | $100.00 | $118.00 | $400.00 |
| $1,875.00/yr | $475.00 | $257.00 | $25.00 |
| $2,250.00/yr | $850.00 | $632.00 | $350.00 |
The table reports the size of the gap. A diesel cost higher than the gasoline cost makes the gasoline vehicle the cheaper choice.
What is Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator?
The Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator is a tool that compares yearly fuel spending for a gasoline vehicle and a diesel vehicle. The tool helps buyers choose between engine types.
Diesel engines deliver more miles per gallon, while diesel fuel usually costs more per gallon. The yearly totals settle which effect wins for your mileage and local prices.
Pickup trucks, vans, and some SUVs come in both gasoline and diesel versions, which makes this comparison common for truck buyers.
What are the uses of Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Gasoline vs Diesel Cost Calculator: choosing a pickup engine, comparing van options, planning towing vehicles, and checking regional price effects.
Choosing a pickup engine
Truck buyers compare gas and diesel versions of the same model.
Comparing van options
Businesses compare yearly fuel cost for delivery vans.
Planning towing vehicles
RV and boat owners compare engines for heavy towing.
Checking regional price effects
Buyers test how local diesel prices change the result.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.