Quick Answers (bookmark-worthy)
Understanding fuel weight is critical for truckers managing payload limits and planning refueling stops. Here are the essential facts about how much a gallon of gas weighs and how much a gallon of diesel weighs:
How much does a gallon of gasoline weigh? ≈ 6.2 lb per U.S. gallon (≈ 2.81 kg) at 60°F. The weight of a gallon of gasoline varies slightly based on temperature and ethanol content, but 6.2 lb is the industry standard.
How much does a gallon of diesel weigh? ≈ 7.1 lb per U.S. gallon (≈ 3.22 kg) at 60°F. The weight of diesel fuel per gallon is heavier than gasoline, making payload calculations even more important for Class 8 trucks.
Diesel fuel weight per U.S. gallon (range): 6.8–7.2 lb/gal depending on blend and temperature. The weight of diesel fuel per US gallon can vary with #1 vs. #2 diesel and biodiesel content.
Gas weight per gallon (range): ~5.8–6.5 lb/gal depending on blend (e.g., E10/E15) and temperature. Weight of gasoline per gallon changes with seasonal formulations.
Imperial (U.K.) gallon: Multiply U.S.-gallon numbers by 1.201. Gasoline ≈ 7.45 lb/Imperial gal, Diesel ≈ 8.53 lb/Imperial gal.
Rule-of-thumb payload math:
- 50 gal of diesel ≈ 355 lb
- 100 gal of diesel ≈ 710 lb
- 2×150 gal tanks (300 gal) ≈ 2,130 lb
Formula: Fuel weight = Gallons × (lb per gallon)
Why fuel weight matters to independent carriers
Gross & axle limits
A full 300-gal set of tanks can add ~2,130 lb—enough to push you over scale limits if you're already near GVWR.
Trip planning
Fuel only what you need before a weigh station or tight bridge-law corridor; top up after.
Cost-per-mile & cash flow
Tracking fuel weight helps you forecast usable payload, load choices, and timing for refuels—key inputs for TACH's expense management and cash-flow analytics that uncover hidden costs and improve profitability.
Fuel weight per gallon—clear, carrier-focused details
Gasoline weight per gallon (U.S.)
Typical: ~6.2 lb/gal at 60°F
Range: ~5.8–6.5 lb/gal
What changes it:
- Temperature (cooler = denser/heavier per gallon)
- Ethanol content (E10/E15 are slightly denser than pure gas)
- Local seasonal formulations
Diesel fuel weight per gallon (U.S.)
Typical ULSD #2: ~7.1 lb/gal at 60°F
Range: 6.8–7.2 lb/gal
Understanding how much diesel weighs per gallon and the weight of diesel fuel is essential for accurate payload planning. The weight diesel fuel per gallon depends on several factors:
What changes it:
#1 vs. #2 diesel: #1 (kerosene-like) is lighter (~6.8–6.9 lb/gal). How much does diesel weigh a gallon of #1? About 6.8–6.9 lb.
Winter blends: Mixes of #1 and #2 sit between those values. The weight per gallon of diesel fuel in winter blends typically ranges from 6.9–7.0 lb/gal.
Biodiesel content: B20 tends to be slightly heavier (~7.0–7.2 lb/gal); B100 can be ~7.3–7.5 lb/gal. The weight of a gallon of diesel with biodiesel content increases as the bio-percentage increases.
Temperature: Cooler fuel is denser, so weight per gallon increases slightly in winter. How much does diesel fuel weigh per gallon in cold weather? Add 2–4% to the standard 7.1 lb figure.
U.S. vs. Imperial (U.K.) gallon
Conversion: 1 Imperial gal = 1.201× a U.S. gal.
At 60°F (typical):
- Gasoline ≈ 7.45 lb/Imperial gal
- Diesel ≈ 8.53 lb/Imperial gal
Quick comparison with water (handy at scales)
Water: ~8.34 lb/gal at ~62°F.
Weight hierarchy: Water > Diesel > Gasoline for weight per gallon.
Temperature effect—how much does it really move the needle?
Expect a few percent swing across hot vs. cold extremes. Lower temps increase density, nudging weight/gal upward.
For scale planning, use the typical numbers (6.2 lb for gas, 7.1 lb for diesel) and add a small 2–4% cushion in very cold weather.
"Does diesel fuel go bad?" and "How long does diesel fuel last?"
Short answer
Yes, diesel can go bad. Unstabilized ULSD commonly lasts 6–12 months in good conditions.
With proper storage + stabilizer/biocide, many fleets keep diesel 12–24 months (sometimes longer).
Biodiesel blends (e.g., B20) typically have shorter storage life than pure ULSD.
Why diesel degrades
Oxidation and polymerization form gums/varnish.
Microbial growth ("diesel bugs") thrives where water meets fuel.
Contamination (water, particulates) accelerates problems.
Storage best practices to maximize life
✓ Keep tanks clean and dry; use high-quality filtration ✓ Keep tanks fuller to reduce condensation ✓ Use a proven stabilizer and biocide if storing >3–6 months ✓ Rotate stock (first in, first out) and test periodically ✓ Control temperature—cool, dark storage extends life ✓ Drain water bottoms and fix leaky caps/vents
Carrier cheat sheets
Diesel weight math you'll actually use
Understanding the weight of diesel fuel and gasoline is essential for every load you plan. Here are the quick-reference numbers you need:
How much does diesel weigh per gallon? ~7.1 lb/gal (use 7.0–7.2 for quick math). How much does diesel fuel weigh per gallon in your tank? Use 7.1 lb as your standard figure.
Gallon of diesel weight (U.S.): ~7.1 lb. The gallon of diesel weight is heavier than gasoline, which impacts your available payload.
Weight per gallon of diesel fuel (U.S.): ~7.1 lb. The weight diesel per gallon matters when calculating total fuel weight for scale compliance.
How much does gas weigh per gallon? ~6.2 lb. How much does a gallon of gasoline weigh? About 6.2 lb, which is lighter than diesel.
Weight of a gallon of gasoline: ~6.2 lb. The weight of gasoline gallon is important for payload calculations on gas-powered vehicles.
Gas weight per gallon: ~6.2 lb; winter/summer blends vary. Weight gas per gallon changes with seasonal formulations.
1 gallon of gas weighs: ~6.2 lb. Remember: 1 gallon of gas weighs about 6.2 lb, while diesel weighs 7.1 lb/gal—a 15% difference.
Common truck-tank scenarios (U.S.)
150-gal tank (one side): Diesel: ~1,065 lb (150 × 7.1)
2×150-gal tanks (300 gal total): Diesel: ~2,130 lb
100-gal top-off before a scale: Diesel: ~710 lb (consider waiting to fuel if you're tight on axle/gross)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a gallon of gas weigh?
A: About 6.2 lb per U.S. gallon at 60°F (≈ 2.81 kg). The weight of a gallon of gasoline is lighter than diesel, which weighs about 7.1 lb/gal.
Q: How much does a gallon of diesel weigh?
A: About 7.1 lb per U.S. gallon at 60°F (≈ 3.22 kg). This is the standard gallon of diesel weight used for Class 8 truck payload calculations.
Q: How much do a gallon of diesel fuel weigh?
A: A gallon of diesel fuel weighs approximately 7.1 lb (≈ 3.22 kg) at 60°F. The weight of diesel fuel ranges from 6.8–7.2 lb/gal depending on the specific blend (#1 vs. #2), biodiesel content (B20, B100), and temperature.
Q: What is the weight of diesel fuel?
A: The weight of diesel fuel is approximately 7.1 lb per U.S. gallon at standard temperature (60°F). For bulk calculations, diesel fuel weighs about 7.0–7.2 lb/gal depending on the blend. This is heavier than gasoline, which weighs about 6.2 lb/gal.
Q: Diesel weight per gallon / Diesel fuel weight per gallon / Weight diesel per gallon / Weight diesel fuel per gallon / Weight of diesel fuel per U.S. gallon / Gallon of diesel weight / Weight per gallon of diesel fuel / Weight of a gallon of diesel / How much does diesel weigh a gallon / How much does diesel weigh per gallon / How much does diesel fuel weigh per gallon / Weight of diesel fuel per US gallon / Weight diesel per gallon / Weight diesel fuel per gallon
A: Use ~7.1 lb/gal (range 6.8–7.2 lb/gal depending on blend and temperature). The diesel fuel weight per US gallon is consistent across standard ULSD #2.
Q: Gas weight per gallon / How much does gas weigh per gallon / Weight gas per gallon / Weight of gasoline per gallon / Weight of gasoline gallon / Weight of one gallon of gasoline / Weight of a gallon of gasoline / 1 gallon of gas weighs
A: Use ~6.2 lb/gal (range ~5.8–6.5 lb/gal by blend and temperature). The weight of one gallon of gasoline is about 6.2 lb at 60°F, which means 1 gallon of gas weighs approximately 6.2 lb under standard conditions.
Q: Diesel fuel weight per U.S. gallon vs Imperial gallon?
A: U.S. gal ≈ 7.1 lb; Imperial gal ≈ 8.53 lb (multiply by 1.201). The weight of diesel fuel per U.S. gallon is 7.1 lb, while the weight per Imperial gallon is 8.53 lb.
Q: Does diesel fuel go bad?
A: Yes. Unstabilized ULSD often lasts 6–12 months; with proper storage/stabilizer/biocide it can last 12–24 months or more.
Q: How long does diesel fuel last / How long will diesel last / How long will diesel fuel last?
A: Plan on 6–12 months baseline; up to 1–2 years with best-practice storage and additives. How long will diesel last depends on storage conditions—proper fuel management with stabilizers can extend shelf life to 18–24 months. Biodiesel blends typically have shorter storage life.
Q: Fuel weight per gallon (general)?
A: Gasoline ≈ 6.2 lb/gal; Diesel ≈ 7.1 lb/gal (U.S., at ~60°F). Fuel weight per gallon matters for payload planning—a full 300-gallon diesel tank adds about 2,130 lb to your gross vehicle weight.
How TACH turns fuel facts into higher earnings
Knowing your fuel weight per gallon helps you choose profitable loads without risking scale overages or unnecessary deadhead for fuel. TACH was built specifically for independent carriers to convert those decisions into real dollars:
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TL;DR
How much does a gallon of gas weigh? Gasoline ≈ 6.2 lb/gal (U.S., at 60°F). The weight of a gallon of gasoline ranges from 5.8–6.5 lb depending on ethanol content and temperature.
How much does a gallon of diesel weigh? Diesel ≈ 7.1 lb/gal (U.S., at 60°F). The weight of diesel fuel per gallon ranges from 6.8–7.2 lb depending on the blend (#1 vs. #2 diesel, biodiesel content).
Fuel weight per gallon quick reference:
- Gas weight per gallon: ~6.2 lb
- Diesel weight per gallon: ~7.1 lb
- Weight diesel fuel per gallon: 6.8–7.2 lb range
- Weight of diesel fuel per US gallon: ~7.1 lb standard
Temperature, seasonal blends, biodiesel, and ethanol content change weight slightly.
Does diesel fuel go bad? Yes. Diesel shelf life is ~6–12 months baseline without treatment. How long does diesel fuel last? Up to 12–24 months with proper storage and additives. How long will diesel last depends on storage conditions and fuel quality.
Use these numbers to stay legal at scales, plan payload, and protect margins—and let TACH handle the cash flow, expense analytics, and downtime reduction so you earn more per mile.
