Cars are an essential part of American culture. The United States is nearly 3,000 miles from Maine to California, so road trips are a popular vacation idea for many families. Most cars you see on the road use gasoline as their fuel source. However, you do have the option for a diesel-powered vehicle. Which one is better for you? This article will show you the advantages of each so you can decide for your next road trip.
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What’s the Difference Between Gas and Diesel?
Before you dive into the pros and cons, it’s essential to know what gas and diesel are. You use both types of fuel in internal combustion engines (ICE). ICEs produce power by burning gasoline, diesel, or another fuel source inside the machine. The engine has a chamber where fuel combusts with air. That reaction drives the pistons and makes the car go.
Gasoline and diesel come from crude oil. However, you separate gasoline and diesel during the refining process. The primary difference between the two is diesel fuel is thicker and more energy-dense. Also, the combustion process is different. Gas-powered engines mix the fuel with the air and then the pistons compress, but diesel engines don’t need spark plugs. They vaporize the fuel and ignite it in the combustion chamber.
Why Get a Gas Vehicle?
Gasoline-powered cars are the most common you’ll find in the United States. They’re easier to find than diesel vehicles, so you may find these five benefits helpful for your road trip.
1. Easier Access for Fueling
You can compare the merits of diesel and gasoline, but one factor you need to consider is accessibility. When you’re driving hundreds upon thousands of miles away from home, it isn’t easy to know what the gas stations in the area provide. The filling stations will provide gasoline, but it’s not a sure bet they’ll have diesel pumps. Therefore, gasoline wins for accessibility.
2. The Engines Are Smaller
Another advantage of gasoline engines is they are smaller compared to their diesel counterparts. It’s an advantage because you’ll have more options when it comes to passenger vehicles. Most cars use gas-powered engines. They burn fuel at a faster rate than diesel does, so you’ll get more horsepower. If you want a cross-country cruise in a sports car, you’re more likely to drive in a gas-powered vehicle.
3. They’re Better in Cities
Road trips typically entail long stretches of empty highways and cow pastures on either side. You’ll probably pass by plenty of advertisements for personal injury attorneys along the way. Depending on your path and destination, you may run into a city with stop-and-go traffic. Here, gas vehicles have the advantage.
Diesel has an advantage on highways, but its fuel advantage diminishes inside the city. Constant starting and stopping require your engine to work harder to change speeds. Your motor will burn faster, so a gas-powered vehicle may make more sense.
4. They’re Better in Cold Weather
Do you like to take road trips in the winter? Some people drive to the mountains and rent a cabin or visit family during the holiday season. If you have plans for winter road trips, you should consider a gasoline vehicle — they’re more reliable in cold weather than diesel.
Diesel fuel contains hydrocarbons that turn solid once the temperature dips below 40° Fahrenheit. Once it gets cold, diesel fuel turns into a gelatinous mixture and won’t start correctly. These engines rely on high temperatures to get the vehicle started, so diesel requires a special fuel blend in the winter to lower the freezing point. However, gasoline can tolerate temperatures as low as -40° Fahrenheit before it starts to freeze.
5. They’re Cheaper for Maintenance
Car problems are an unfortunate reality of owning a vehicle. You may have a flat tire or see the check engine light come on while cruising down the road. If you need to visit a mechanic, a gas-powered car will cost less money at the shop than a diesel vehicle. Mechanics typically charge higher prices for servicing a diesel-powered car because they require a certified diesel mechanic. The labor and parts for diesel vehicles also cost more than gasoline engines.
Why Get a Diesel Vehicle?
When you think of diesel, you may imagine long-haul trucks transporting goods on the highway. While 18-wheelers use diesel, you can also find them in commercial vehicles. These five benefits show why they’re ideal for road trips.
1. They’re Better on Highways
On road trips, you’re likely taking highways and interstates. If your journey contains long stretches of road, diesel can be more beneficial for you. Diesel engines are more thermally efficient than gas-powered engines. The fuel is denser, so its compression resistance is more significant. That’s one reason you see long-haul trucks on interstates and highways more often than inside cities.
2. The Engines Last Longer
Do you go on road trips often? Some people enjoy yearly trips to mountains, beaches, and other destinations. If you’re a frequent traveler, then diesel is the better bet for longevity. Your typical diesel engine has fewer parts than a gas engine, making it less vulnerable to problems. Their simplicity makes them easier to fix for the average driver — if you’re a gearhead, you may be able to avoid the mechanic.
3. They’re Ideal for Hauling
Road trips often include hauling items outside your vehicle, such as a trailer, an RV, or a boat. Diesel engines provide more torque than gas-powered ones, leading to more power. You can haul heavier loads on the road than the same vehicle with a gasoline engine. So, if you’re looking to tow an RV or a boat, use a diesel-powered truck and take it on the open highway for an ideal road trip experience.
4. They’re Fuel-Efficient
One drawback of diesel fuel is the price at the pump — you’ll notice it’s typically more expensive than even premium gasoline. However, it’s worth looking between the lines because diesel tends to be more fuel-efficient than gasoline.
Diesel is more efficient than gasoline because of its density and low revolutions per minute performance. The thickness of diesel leads to higher energy production using less fuel. Gasoline may be cheaper at the pump, but diesel costs less per mile than gas. As mentioned before, diesel vehicles are better on the highway — in fact, they’re 29% more efficient than gasoline on long roads.
5. Their Emissions Are Lower
Fuel efficiency and carbon emissions are becoming more critical issues. Consumers want to be more conscious of their carbon footprint, so some have switched to electric or more fuel-efficient vehicles. If you compare diesel and gasoline’s carbon emissions, diesel wins out. Its efficiency and durability are two reasons these cars depreciate slower than gas vehicles.
Diesel or Gasoline — What’s The Verdict?
For your next road trip, you may be looking at buying or renting a vehicle. If you’re deciding between gasoline and diesel, the answer depends on your situation. Diesel is better if you need to tow a boat or RV and you plan on driving on open highways. However, gasoline will be better in cold-weather areas and is cheaper to maintain.
FAQ
Where can I use Gasoline to drive a car?
Gasoline is used mainly in cold regions. However, you cannot use it for towing a boat. Gasoline vehicles are easy to maintain and very cost-effective.
