Does the 2026 RAM 1500 need premium gas?
Yes. Premium.
$327extra a year
- Premium listed for the Express Quad Cab RWD.
- Premium: 25 of 45 trims. Regular: 20 of 45 trims.
- Required or only recommended: the data does not say.
- 21% of 14 trucks (2026) list premium.
12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Premium $0.60 more.
| Trim | Engine | Grade | Mpg | Regular, a year | Premium, a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Quad Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Tradesman Quad Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Tradesman | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 12 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Express Crew Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Tradesman Crew Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Quad Cab Express 4WD | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Quad Cab Tradesman 4WD | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Express | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 12 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Big Horn Quad Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Lone Star Quad Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Express Crew Cab LB RWD | 3.0L | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Tradesman Crew Cab LB RWD | 3.0L | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Crew Cab Express 4WD | 3.6L | Premium | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Crew Cab Tradesman 4WD | 3.6L | Premium | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Crew Cab Warlock 4WD | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Big Horn | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 12 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Lone Star | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 12 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Big Horn Crew Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Lone Star Crew Cab RWD | 3.6L | Premium | 22 | $1,745 | $2,073 |
| Quad Cab Big Horn 4WD | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Quad Cab Lone Star 4WD | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Express Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Regular | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| Tradesman Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Regular | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| Warlock | 3.6L 6cyl | Regular | 12 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Big Horn Crew Cab LB RWD | 3.0L | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Lone Star Crew Cab LB RWD | 3.0L | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Crew Cab Big Horn 4WD | 3.6L | Premium | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Crew Cab Lone Star 4WD | 3.6L | Premium | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Big Horn Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Regular | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| Lone Star Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Regular | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| Laramie | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Laramie Crew Cab RWD | 3.0L | Regular | 21 | $1,829 | $2,171 |
| Rebel | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Laramie Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Regular | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| RHO | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Crew Cab RHO 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 | $2,560 | $3,040 |
| Limited | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Limited Longhorn | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Crew Cab Limited 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 17 | $2,259 | $2,682 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Crew Cab 5'7" Box | 3.0L | Premium | 17 | $2,259 | $2,682 |
| Limited Crew Cab LB 4WD | 3.0L | Premium | 17 | $2,259 | $2,682 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Crew Cab 6'4" Box | 3.0L | Premium | 17 | $2,259 | $2,682 |
| Crew Cab Limited Longhorn 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 20 | $1,920 | $2,280 |
| Tungsten | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 15 to 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Crew Cab Tungsten 4WD | 3.0L 6cyl | Premium | 17 | $2,259 | $2,682 |
Rivals
| Car | Cheapest trim | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 RAM 1500 | Express Quad Cab RWD | Premium |
| 2026 Ford F-150 | XL 2WD Reg Cab 8' Box | Regular |
| 2026 Toyota Tundra | SR Double Cab RWD | Regular |
| 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Work Truck Regular Cab RWD | Regular |
| 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 | Pro Regular Cab RWD | Regular |
| 2026 Honda Ridgeline | Sport AWD | Regular |
What this cannot tell you
Check the fuel door or manual before you fill.
Gas prices and the premium gap change by state.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree