The 2024 Ford F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and four-wheel drive gets 19 MPG combined. To be clear, this truck isn’t known for Prius-like efficiency. People buy it for its high towing capacity, comfortable and spacious cabin, and the versatility that only America’s best-selling truck offers. The fuel economy is a compromise most buyers are willing to make, balancing capability with the cost of filling up.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates are 16 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the stop-and-go driving that plagues most urban commutes, where the F150’s weight and wide turning circle are drawbacks. The highway number is more respectable and achievable, thanks to the truck’s 10-speed automatic transmission, which allows the engine to cruise at relatively low RPMs when at speed. Remember that these are just estimates; aggressive driving, heavy loads, and bad weather can all significantly change your actual fuel economy.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that you’ll spend about $2,300 per year on fuel for this F150. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. It’s a useful comparison point, but your actual fuel costs could be higher or lower depending on your driving habits, the type of fuel you use, and how much you drive in real-world conditions. This is a significant expense, and it’s a factor every potential F150 buyer should consider when budgeting for the total cost of ownership.

Real-world expectations

Real-world fuel economy for the 2024 Ford F150 4×4 with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine usually is slightly below the EPA’s estimates, so don’t expect to always match those numbers. Hauling heavy loads, towing trailers, or frequently using four-wheel drive will significantly decrease your MPG compared to what you see on the sticker. If you drive mostly in the city, you might see fuel economy closer to the 16 MPG estimate, or even lower during heavy traffic. However, on long highway trips at steady speeds, getting the 24 MPG figure is possible, but requires careful driving.

How it compares

The F150’s fuel economy is typical for a full-size truck. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with its 5.3L V8 and four-wheel drive gets around 17 MPG combined, putting it slightly behind the F150. The Ram 1500 with its 5.7L Hemi V8 and four-wheel drive is in a similar range. The Toyota Tundra with its i-FORCE 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine is similarly rated. These comparisons inform the F150 buyer about tradeoffs between fuel efficiency, engine power, and towing capability. For those wanting less gas, the hybrid F150 PowerBoost is an alternative, but at a higher price. You can research F150 MPG across all years to get a better sense of options.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Pay attention to tire pressure. Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure on the doorjamb. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces your fuel economy. Because F150s are often used for work, owners often forget to check tire pressures, leading to lower MPGs.

Anticipate traffic and drive smoothly. Avoid hard acceleration and braking, which consume fuel quickly, especially with a heavy vehicle like the F150. By looking ahead and maintaining a steady speed, especially on the highway, you can improve your MPG and reduce unnecessary fuel use.

Reduce idling time. Idling consumes fuel without covering any distance. If you know you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. This is important for F150s used on job sites where extended idling is common. If you’re interested in seeing all Ford fuel economy data, there are a lot of vehicles to explore.

Lighten your load. Remove any unnecessary weight from the bed of your truck. Every extra pound requires more energy to move it, reducing your fuel economy. Many F150 owners treat the bed as a general storage area; cleaning out unnecessary tools and equipment can make a measurable difference over time.

Use cruise control on the highway. Maintaining a consistent speed can help you achieve your best possible highway MPG. The EcoBoost V6 is efficient enough while cruising to help you get the best mileage. However, remember to disengage cruise control when driving in hilly terrain, as the system may downshift aggressively to maintain a set speed, using more fuel.