How Much Does Gasoline Weigh?
Gasoline carried in approved containers. Weighs approximately 6.2 lbs per gallon — significantly lighter than water. A standard 5-gallon jerry can weighs ~31 lbs full.
Gasoline weighs about 6.2 pounds per gallon, making it the lightest of the common fuels haulers deal with — lighter than diesel and noticeably lighter than water. That lower density doesn't make it a lightweight cargo concern so much as a serious flammability one; gasoline vapor ignites far more easily than diesel.
Most people don't dent their payload hauling gasoline the way they might with water or diesel, because gas is usually moved in smaller containers for small engines rather than bulk transfer tanks. The real issue with gasoline is less about crushing your truck's payload and more about container quality, ventilation, and legal limits on how much you can carry.
What Gasoline Is Used For
- Fueling lawn mowers, chainsaws, and other small engines away from home
- Keeping generators fueled during outages or off-grid work
- Refueling ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles
- Supplying boats or personal watercraft that need portable fuel
- Topping off a vehicle when stretching a fuel budget on a road trip
- Stocking up ahead of storm season for backup power
Weight Facts
- Weight per gallon
- 6.2 lbs
- Category
- Liquid & Tanks
How Much Gasoline Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (gallons) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 241 | 1,544 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 241 | 1,572 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 225 | 1,943 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 241 | 1,943 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 225 | 1,943 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 233 | 1,943 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 251 | 2,008 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 187 | 1,860 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 177 | 1,595 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 193 | 1,646 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 245 | 2,889 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 258 | 3,325 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 241 | 3,325 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 200 | 2,852 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 239 | 3,042 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 235 | 2,764 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 483 | 3,640 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 645 | 3,640 lbs |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 887 | 3,640 lbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 516 | 3,872 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 516 | 3,872 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 919 | 3,872 lbs |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 919 | 3,872 lbs |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 314 | 3,464 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 1012 | 3,464 lbs |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Gasoline: What to Know
Gasoline sloshes like any liquid, but the bigger hazard is vapor buildup and flammability, so containers need to be DOT-approved gas cans, not old paint buckets or unrated jugs. Leave room for thermal expansion — never fill a can to the brim — and keep cans upright, capped, and strapped so they can't tip or rupture in transit.
A 5-gallon jerry can weighs about 31 pounds full, trivial for payload purposes, but many states cap how many gallons of gasoline you can legally transport outside of a vehicle's fuel tank without extra precautions or placarding. Ventilate the truck bed or cargo area, keep cans out of an enclosed cab, and never haul gas near an open flame, running engine, or in direct sun for extended periods.
Buying & Ordering Gasoline
Gas cans are sold everywhere from hardware stores to auto parts retailers to gas stations themselves, in sizes typically from 1 to 6 gallons for consumer use, with DOT/CARB-approved designs required in some states. Stick to cans built for fuel storage — they include vents, spill-resistant spouts, and materials that won't degrade from contact with gasoline — and replace aging cans that show cracks, warping, or a failing seal.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
✓ Within Capacity — 1,494 lbs remaining
This load is within the published payload rating. Always account for passengers, fuel, and bed accessories in your total.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
Gasoline — Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a 5-gallon gas can weigh when full?
- About 31 pounds of gasoline (5 x 6.2 lb/gal) plus a few pounds for the can itself, for a full weight around 33-35 pounds.
- Is it legal to carry several full gas cans in a truck bed?
- Generally yes for personal use in reasonable quantities, but many states and DOT rules set limits on total gallons transported outside a vehicle's tank before special containers, placarding, or commercial rules apply — check your state's fire code or DOT guidance.
- Does gasoline weigh less than diesel?
- Yes. Gasoline runs about 6.2 lb/gal versus roughly 7.1 lb/gal for diesel, so equal volumes of gasoline weigh noticeably less.
- How much does Gasoline weigh per gallon?
- Gasoline weighs approximately 6.2 lbs per gallon. Gasoline carried in approved containers. Weighs approximately 6.2 lbs per gallon — significantly lighter than water. A standard 5-gallon jerry can weighs ~31 lbs full.
- How much Gasoline can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 241 gallons of Gasoline.
Related Material Weights
Helpful Guides
- Cubic Yards, Tons, and Bags: A Material Conversion Guide
How to convert between cubic yards, tons, and bags for gravel, sand, soil, and mulch — with the density figures and formulas that make the math work.
- What Happens If You Overload Your Truck?
Overloading a pickup risks tickets, tire blowouts, brake failure, frame damage, and a voided warranty. Here is what actually happens and how to stay legal and safe.