Which RV Gets Better Gas Mileage: Gas vs Diesel?

If you’re trying to decide between a gas or diesel RV, one of the most important things to consider is the gas mileage each RV will get.

So which RV gets better gas mileage, gas or diesel?

Diesel RVs provide better gas mileage compared to gas RVs, providing about 10% better fuel efficiency on average. 

Due to the fact that diesel fuel has a larger energy capacity compared to gasoline. 

And while miles per gallon can vary greatly depending on the overall length and weight of the motorhome, on average a diesel RV will get anywhere from 8 to 14 mpg, while a gas RV will get between 6 to 10 mpg.  

If you’re trying to decide between a gas RV and a diesel RV though, there is way more you need to know than just which RV gets better gas mileage.

So keep reading to find out all the differences between a gas RV and a diesel RV.  

RV Driving and Fuel Cost Beyond MPG

When it comes to miles per gallon the diesel RV is the clear winner over the gas RV.

However, mpg is not the only thing that matters when trying to determine the actual cost of driving an RV.

Because while it’s true that diesel RVs get better miles per gallon, it’s also true that diesel fuel costs more compared to gasoline. 

In fact, the national average for a gallon of diesel fuel is $2.40 while a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $2.11.  Making a gallon of diesel fuel about 12% more expensive compared to a gallon of gasoline.  

This means, while it’s true a diesel RV gets about 10% better fuel efficiency, it’s also true that diesel is usually at least 10% more expensive compared to gasoline. 

So from an actual cost perspective, it costs about the same to drive a diesel RV down the road as it does a gas RV.

Gas vs Diesel Availability

Another thing to consider when deciding between a gas RV and a diesel RV is how readily available each type of fuel is when driving across the country.  

While in the US it’s pretty easy to find gas or diesel fuel, if you were to give a slight edge on availability between gas and diesel fuel, gas would be the winner.

Because while you can find diesel pretty much everywhere you go.  Diesel fuel can sometimes be challenging to find if you’re going way off the beaten path. 

Whereas gasoline can pretty much be found anywhere.  

Additional Diesel RV Costs

One of the costs that many people forget to take into account when comparing the total fuel cost between a diesel RV and gas RV is the added cost of DEF which is required in all modern diesel engines.   

If you are unfamiliar with DEF it stands for Diesel Exhaust Fluid which is a liquid that is used to reduce the amount of air pollution produced by a diesel engine. 

And in the United States as of 2010, the EPA required that all new diesel engines use DEF to reduce the pollution of the diesel engine.

So what doe this mean as far as additional costs to drive a diesel RV compared to a gas RV?

Well, when you are driving a diesel RV you will have the added cost of DEF, which a gas RV does not require.  

And on average, for every 50 gallons of diesel used, approximately 1 gallon of DEF will be injected into the fuel mixture.

Meaning for every 50 gallons of diesel, you use, you will have the added cost of a $4 gallon of DEF.

It’s not all bad news with DEF though because while it is an added cost, DEF does actually improve the fuel efficiency of your diesel engine, providing superior miles per gallon compared to a gas engine.  

Pros and Cons Diesel vs Gas Motorhome

Design Differences Gas vs Deisel RV

There are many design differences when it comes to gas and diesel RVs that can make a big difference in the overall comfort and enjoyability of each motorhome. 

Gas RV

To begin with, on a class A motorhome the engine is up front.

This means you will have to talk a little louder in the front cab area because you will be competing with the noise from the engine, which is sitting right under your feet, in what they call the dog house or engine cover. 

In addition, in a class A motorhome the generator is usually in the back of the motorhome.

This means that if you’re running your generator in the evening and at night when you’re trying to sleep in the rear of the coach, it might be a little more challenging due to the added noise. 

Unless you can find a way to treat the generator as a built-in white noise machine to help lull you asleep.

Diesel RV

The engine is usually in the rear, on a diesel Class A motorhome, which is why they are oftentimes referred to as a diesel pusher. 

The advantage of having the diesel engine in the rear is that it is much quieter in the cab.  As all of that engine noise is in the back of the motorhome instead of up front where you’re driving. 

Also, another bonus to the diesel RV design is that the generator is usually at the front of the motorhome. 

This means when you’re running the generator in the evening or at night when you’re trying to sleep it’s much quieter in the rear of the coach.  

So when it comes to the design between a gas RV versus a diesel RV in our opinion the diesel RV wins out.  

RV Power:  Diesel vs Gas

If you’re looking for more power and better uphill climbing the diesel RV is the only way to go. 

As the diesel engine provides way more power, especially low in power, which is so important when you’re trying to move a 20,000 pound RV down the road and up a hill.

It’s more than just raw power when it comes to a diesel RV though because you also get a more robust transmission, better-towing capability, more torque, and better uphill acceleration.

Also, the diesel RV has an added safety feature that gas RVs don’t, which is engine break, helping you come down those hills and mountains easier and safer once you’re on top of them.  

When it comes to power, the diesel RV just has more of it across the board compared to a gas RV, which also means that the diesel motorhome and engine will have to work a lot less hard when you’re traveling down the road.  Helping to extend the life of your diesel engine and diesel RV.

RV Purchase Price:  Diesel vs Gas

If you’re looking to save some money when buying an RV, the gasoline option is the way to go, as a diesel RV will typically cost about 30% more compared to a gas RV.

One thing to keep in mind though when looking at the cost between the diesel RV and the gas RV is that the diesel engine will also last much longer compared to the gas engine.

And the fact that the diesel engine lasts longer, translates to diesel RVs holding their value better over time compared to go gas RVs. 

So when you go to sell your diesel RV, you will be able to sell it for more money compared to a gas RV.

@winnebagorvs

Diesel vs Gas RV Maintenance

There are both pros and cons with diesel RVs as well as gas RVs when it comes to maintenance.

Diesel RV Pros

• A diesel engine can go a longer period of time without being serviced, usually 15,000 miles, allowing you to spend more time traveling and less time in the shop.  
• Diesel engines have a long shelf life and can usually be driven many miles before running into costly repairs.  

Diesel RV Cons

• It is more expensive to work on a diesel engine compared to a gasoline engine due to higher hourly labor costs and the use of specialty tools.  
• It can be harder to find places to work on your diesel RV due to the specialized knowledge and tools needed to work on them.  

Gas RV Pros

• Gas RVs are cheaper to work on leading to lower maintenance and repair bills when something goes wrong.  
• Just about any repair shop can work on a gas engine, making it much easier to find a place to work on your RV if something breaks while traveling.  

Gas RV Cons

• Gas RVs require more routine maintenance usually every 5,000 miles compared to diesel RVs which only require routine maintenance every 15,000 miles.  
• A gas engine does not last as long as a diesel engine, which means you can run into substantial issues and costly repairs sooner on a gas engine compared to a diesel engine.