If you’re planning to buy a new Ford truck, one of the first questions you’ll ask is simple:
“How many miles per gallon will I actually get?”
The honest answer is: it depends on the engine, driving conditions, and how you use the truck (daily driving vs towing). But using the data you shared, here’s a clear breakdown of the average fuel economy for Ford F-150 and Ford F-250.
Ford F-150 Fuel Economy (MPG)
The Ford F-150 offers multiple engine options, and the MPG can vary a lot depending on what you choose.
F-150 3.3L V6 (Standard Engine)
This engine is known for being a good balance of power and fuel savings.
Up to 20 MPG city and 24 MPG highway
If you’re buying an F-150 mainly for commuting and normal driving, this engine is one of the better options for mileage.
F-150 5.0L V8 (More Power)
The 5.0L V8 gives you more performance, but you’ll use more fuel in city driving.
Up to 17 MPG city and 24 MPG highway
You still get solid highway mileage, but city driving drops because the engine is larger and more powerful.
Ford F-250 Fuel Economy (MPG)
The Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty truck designed for serious hauling and towing. Because of that, it typically gets lower fuel economy compared to the F-150.
Real-World MPG for a 2022 Ford F-250
Based on data collected from real drivers:
Average combined MPG: 13.34
This number came from:
119 vehicles
5,450 fuel-ups
1,662,914 miles of driving
So this is a realistic estimate of what many people actually see in daily use.
Simple Estimate (Easy Answer)
One of the answers you shared gives a quick general estimate for both trucks:
Around 15 MPG city and 20 MPG highway
This is a good “quick expectation” if you don’t want to compare every engine option.
Real Owner MPG Results (EcoBoost + Diesel)
F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost
One owner reported getting:
Close to 20 MPG
F-250 with 6.7L Diesel
The same person reported:
Close to 20 MPG
That’s strong mileage for a heavy-duty truck, but it comes with an important note:
Fuel economy drops significantly when towing heavy trailers
For example, towing a 24-foot trailer will reduce MPG noticeably.
What Reduces MPG the Most?
Fuel economy can drop fast depending on how you use the truck. The biggest MPG killers are:
Towing trailers
Hauling heavy loads
Stop-and-go city traffic
Hard acceleration
Highway driving at high speeds
Bigger tires, lifts, and added weight
Even a truck that normally gets around 20 MPG can drop closer to 12–14 MPG when towing or hauling often.
Final Summary (F-150 vs F-250 MPG)
Ford F-150 Average MPG
3.3L V6: 20 city / 24 highway
5.0L V8: 17 city / 24 highway
3.5L EcoBoost (real-world): around 20 MPG
Ford F-250 Average MPG
Real-world combined average: 13.34 MPG
6.7L Diesel (real-world): around 20 MPG
Quick estimate: 15 city / 20 highway (depends on use)
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want better fuel economy and daily comfort, the Ford F-150 is usually the better choice.
If you need heavy towing, hauling, and work capability, the Ford F-250 is built for that job, but you should expect lower MPG, especially with gas engines and heavy loads.
