The Ford F250 Super Duty is a powerhouse among full-size work trucks, but its gas mileage figures are far from impressive. Depending on the engine choice and driving conditions, owners report an average of around 11 to 19 MPG, with real-world figures typically around 14 to 15 MPG in mixed conditions, with city and highway driving.
Given its heavy-duty nature and powerful engine options—including the 6.2L V8, the 7.3L ‘Godzilla’ V8, and the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel—it’s no surprise that fuel efficiency isn’t its strong suit. At worst, you might just barely get by with double-digit MPGs. But, how does it compare against other full-size, heavy-duty pickup trucks? Let’s break it down!
Ford F250 Gas Mileage (MPG) – Real-World Fuel Economy Data & Averages
The Ford F250 Super Duty has an average in-city driving of 14.6 mpg in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, the F250 averaged 15.5 mpg. At the end of the trip, the full 48-gallon fuel tank can burn 12.75 gallons of fuel. This can contribute to a 15.7 mpg of combined mileage.
The below table includes community-sourced and owner-submitted fuel economy data amongst owners of the Ford F250 Super Duty, according to Fuelly.com:
| Ford F-250 Super Duty Gas Mileage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L Flex Fuel V8 | 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel | 7.3L V8 Gas Engine | |||
| Model Year(s) | Average Fuel Economy (MPG) | Model Year(s) | Average Fuel Economy (MPG) | Model Year(s) | Average Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| 2021 | 12.1 | 2023 | 15.3 | 2023 | 11.8 |
| 2020 | 11.8 | 2022 | 19.0 | 2022 | 11.1 |
| 2019 | 11.5 | 2021 | 15.5 | 2021 | 11.3 |
| 2018 | 12.1 | 2020 | 15.1 | 2020 | 11.6 |
| 2017 | 12.0 | 2019 | 14.2 | – | – |
| 2016 | 11.4 | 2018 | 13.9 | – | – |
| 2015 | 11.2 | 2017 | 14.4 | – | – |
| 2014 | 11.3 | 2016 | 14.2 | – | – |
| 2013 | 11.1 | 2015 | 14.5 | – | – |
| 2012 | 12.5 | 2014 | 14.1 | – | – |
| 2011 | 10.9 | 2013 | 14.3 | – | – |
| – | – | 2012 | 14.4 | – | – |
| – | – | 2011 | 14.5 | – | – |
Ford F250 vs RAM 2500 vs Silverado 2500 MPG – Gas Mileage & Fuel Economy Comparison
Just to give you a better idea of how the Ford F250 and its average gas mileage figures compare with its rivals (some are better, some are worse), here’s how its competitors fare:
- RAM 2500 – RAM 2500, a competitor to the Ford F250, features a standard 6.4-liter V-8 engine, delivering up to 410 horsepower and 429 foot-pounds of torque, with a combined fuel economy rating of 15 MPG. The optional 6.7-liter Cummings diesel engine offers 370 horsepower and 850 foot-pounds of torque.
- Chevy Silverado 2500 HD – The Chevy Silverado 2500 HD comes with a standard 6.6L V8 engine, providing 17 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. Despite its higher fuel economy, the Chevy 2500 offers a lower maximum towing capacity, peaking at 18,510 lbs, compared to the Ford F250’s range of 14,400 to 26,700 lbs.
- GMC Sierra 2500 HD – Another worthy competitor is the GMC Sierra 2500 HD. Despite having a smaller 6.0-liter V8 engine, its fuel economy does not surpass that of the Ford F250. Offering only about 13 MPG, the GMC Sierra 2500 also has a lower towing capacity, underscoring the fact that smaller engines do not necessarily translate to better fuel economy.
Also, just for comparison’s sake, the Ford F250 Super Duty’s smaller sibling, the F-150, could manage upwards of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg. This is with the 2WD and V6 configuration. Otherwise, the 5.0-liter V8 version expects 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 hybrid provides 25 mpg in both city and highway driving.
What’s Causing Poor Gas Mileage On Your Ford F250?
The Ford F250 Super Duty’s gas mileage isn’t good, but by comparison with its rivals, it’s not too terrible, either. With that being said, if you’re noticing poorer-than-usual gas mileage, it may not necessarily be Ford’s fault. Here are some external reasons why you might be noticing pretty bad MPGs out of your Ford F250:
1. Dirty Oxygen (O2) Sensor
An oxygen (O2) sensor measures exactly how rich or lean the exhaust gases are when they leave the combustion chamber. This data is then used by the vehicle’s computer to adjust the amount of fuel entering the engine. If the sensor is dirty or failing it can lead to a drop in miles per gallon. It can also lead to failed emission tests and a rough idle.
2. Dirty Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors spray fuel into the cylinders where it is mixed with air and ignited. Over time the fuel injector system can become clogged. This can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency as well as slow acceleration and the car not having enough power. If caught early, simply cleaning the injectors can solve the problem. As it progresses, the injectors may have to be replaced.
3. Worn Or Dirty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. If they are dirty or working incorrectly, it can cause the engine to misfire, leading to poor engine performance. This can lead to a lack of power as well as a big decline in fuel efficiency. Remember to replace your spark plugs regularly, whenever the replacement interval is due.
4. Bad Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor
A mass airflow (MAF) sensor detects the amount of air coming into the combustion chamber. It delivers those readings to the vehicle’s computer, which crunches the numbers and then delivers the proper amount of fuel to the air in the engine. A dirty airflow sensor will degrade fuel efficiency and lead to a rough idle and even engine stalling.
5. Poor Tire/Wheel Alignment
Tires that have low pressure or are out of alignment can lead to a drop in fuel efficiency. This is due to flatter tires and bad tire/wheel alignment causing increased rolling resistance. In other words, your truck isn’t moving as smoothly or as efficiently. Checking the tire pressure and having the alignment checked regularly can help prevent this problem.
6. Defective Fuel Pump
Fuel delivery issues can drastically affect fuel efficiency. The fuel pump pulls the fuel from the gas tank to the fuel injectors. The fuel pump can become clogged or malfunction. A bad fuel pump can lead to a rough-running engine because it is not getting enough fuel. This will lead to a decline in gas mileage. It could also lead to rough idle, sputtering, and stalling.
7. Clogged Fuel Filter
A clogged fuel filter will also cause problems with your Ford F250 Super Duty’s gas mileage. The fuel filter screens out contaminants in the fuel, and over time it will become clogged. Fuel filters need to be replaced periodically. A clogged fuel filter will impact the amount of fuel going into your engine. Thus, causing performance issues and poorer MPGs.
Ford F250 Towing Gas Mileage (MPG) – How Hauling Affects Fuel Economy
Given that the Ford F250 Super Duty is built with heavy-duty tasks in mind – such as towing and hauling – adding weight to your truck will significantly impact its gas mileage. So, if you’re planning on using your Ford F250 for work-related purposes, be it towing trailers, hauling heavy loads, or carrying equipment, here’s how they impact your gas mileage:
1. More Weight = Worse Gas Mileage
Naturally, the more weight your truck carries, whether it’s payload or trailer weight, the more fuel it’ll burn:
- Heavier loads require more engine power to tow or haul. In short, you’ll notice increased fuel consumption, especially when you’re trying to accelerate or drive uphill.
- Turbo-diesel engines such as the 6.7-liter Power Stroke generally handle heavier loads more efficiently than gasoline engines. This is due to their higher torque figures and improved gas mileage under load.
2. Towing Aerodynamics Matter
Your Ford F250 Super Duty’s gas mileage isn’t just affected by weight, as aerodynamics play a major role, too:
- Tall, boxy trailers create more wind resistance. This would otherwise require your truck’s engine to work even harder to maintain speed, which subsequently reduces MPG.
- Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers tend to have better aerodynamics compared to bumper-pull trailers. This might lead you to slightly better fuel economy.
3. Speed & Driving Conditions
Of course, as with any vehicle, the way you’re driving and the prevailing driving conditions massively impact your gas mileage:
- Highway towing at 65+ mph significantly reduces fuel efficiency compared to towing at 55 mph. Quite simply, this is due to increased air resistance.
- Stop-and-go traffic worsens MPG while towing because of frequent acceleration. This is the same with any other vehicle, too.
- Hilly terrain forces the engine to work harder. This is especially so for gasoline models, causing noticeable drops in fuel economy and your MPG figures.
4. Real-World MPG Impact of Towing & Payload
While these are just estimates and should be taken with a grain of salt, it does paint a broad picture of how your MPGs are affected:
- Light towing (under 5,000 lbs) – MPG drops by 1-2 MPG on average.
- Moderate towing (5,000–10,000 lbs) – MPG drops by 3-5 MPG, depending on conditions.
- Heavy towing (10,000+ lbs) – MPG can drop by 5-8 MPG, especially when you have a large, non-aerodynamic trailer.
- Full payload capacity (over 4,000 lbs in the bed) – MPG drops 2-4 MPG, depending on your specific engine and terrain.
As an example scenario, if you’re towing a 10,000-lb trailer with an F250 diesel, your fuel economy might drop from 15 MPG down to 10-11 MPG. On long stretches of your local interstate or highway, the effect might not be as severe. Nevertheless, stop-and-go traffic can make fuel consumption skyrocket even further.
5. Tips to Improve MPG While Towing
Speaking of, here are some tips on how you could eke out more MPGs while you’re towing or hauling:
- It’s a good idea to use cruise control on flat roads to maintain a steady speed. Thus, helping you reduce unnecessary fuel consumption.
- Additionally, make sure that you keep your trailer tires properly inflated to reduce rolling resistance.
- Elsewhere, it’s highly advised that you avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. Simply put, smooth driving improves efficiency.
- And, you might even want to consider an aftermarket aerodynamic fairing for large box trailers to reduce wind drag.
- If you’re towing stuff very frequently, consider a diesel engine, as it tends to maintain better fuel economy under load.