1997 GMC Suburban Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
42.0gal · 159 L
The 1997 GMC Suburban has a fuel tank capacity of 42.0 gallons (159 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 630–714 highway miles or 462–504 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
42.0 gal · Bigger than 99% of 1997 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- FAQ
1997 GMC Suburban fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
All 4 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1500 4dr SUV 5.7L 8cyl 4A · RWD MPG 12 / 17Range 504 / 714 mi | 5.7L 8cyl 4A | RWD | 42.0 gal159 L | 12 / 17 | 504 / 714 mi | |
| C2500 4dr SUV 5.7L 8cyl 4A · RWD MPG 12 / 17Range 504 / 714 mi | 5.7L 8cyl 4A | RWD | 42.0 gal159 L | 12 / 17 | 504 / 714 mi | |
| K1500 4dr SUV 4WD 5.7L 8cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 11 / 15Range 462 / 630 mi | 5.7L 8cyl 4A | 4WD | 42.0 gal159 L | 11 / 15 | 462 / 630 mi | |
| K2500 4dr SUV 4WD 5.7L 8cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 11 / 15Range 462 / 630 mi | 5.7L 8cyl 4A | 4WD | 42.0 gal159 L | 11 / 15 | 462 / 630 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG (worked out from the rated MPG where the EPA range wasn't published).
How far a 1997 GMC Suburban goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 14 MPG, a full 42.0-gallon tank covers about 588 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 42.0 | 714 | 504 |
| 3/4 | 31.5 | 536 | 378 |
| 1/2 | 21.0 | 357 | 252 |
| 1/4 | 10.5 | 179 | 126 |
| 1/8 | 5.3 | 89 | 63 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 1,071 gallons, roughly 26 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 12–14 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 635–741 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1997 GMC Suburban
$179.34 to fill the 42.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.0 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $179.34 | $134.50 |
By region, 42.0-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $168.84 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $179.34 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $155.40 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $187.32 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $227.64 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $247.38 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 42.0-gallon tank$179.34
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$4,575
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Suburban tank size in other years
The 1997 Suburban uses the same 42.0 gal tank as every Suburban since 1992.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
| 1998 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
| 1997 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
| 1996 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
| 1995 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 672 mi |
| 1994 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 672 mi |
| 1993 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 672 mi |
| 1992 Suburban | 42.0 gal | 672 mi |
1997 GMC Suburban vs similar 1997 SUVs
The Suburban has the largest tank of the two 1997 SUVs compared here, 42.0 gallons against 42.0 for the Chevrolet Suburban.
| 1997 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| GMC Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 42.0 gal | 714 mi |
Other 1997 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
1997 GMC Suburban fuel system recalls
None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1997 GMC Suburban involve the fuel system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1997 GMC Suburban?
The 1997 GMC Suburban holds 42.0 gallons (159 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1997 GMC Suburban gas tank hold?
The 1997 GMC Suburban tank holds 159 liters, or 42.0 gallons in US gallons.
Does 4WD change the 1997 GMC Suburban gas tank?
No. RWD and 4WD versions of the 1997 GMC Suburban use the same 42.0 gal tank.
How far can a 1997 GMC Suburban go on a full tank?
About 630–714 miles on the highway and 462–504 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 1997 GMC Suburban go on a quarter tank?
About 179 highway miles or 126 in town from the 42.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 10.5 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 1997 GMC Suburban take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 GMC Suburban?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 42.0-gallon tank from empty costs $179.34. It ranges from $155.40 in the Gulf Coast to $247.38 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 GMC Suburban?
About 260 pounds for the 42.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1997 GMC Suburban have a bigger gas tank than the Chevrolet Suburban?
No, they match: both top out at 42.0 gallons in 1997.
Has the 1997 GMC Suburban had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1997 GMC Suburban involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (GMC fuel system recalls).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.