The 2018 Ford F150 4WD with the 5.0L V8 engine gets 18 MPG combined. No one buys this truck to save money on gas. They buy it to haul lumber, tow boats, and handle demanding tasks. This MPG figure is the cost of using it for those purposes, a tradeoff most F150 owners gladly accept.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates this F150 configuration gets 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects the frequent stops, starts, and idling common in urban environments, which is especially hard on a large displacement V8 engine. The highway number is better, due to consistent speeds and less demand on the engine. Expect that highway number to decrease when towing, because of the increased weight and wind resistance.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Ford F150 4WD FFV 5.0L at $2,450. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% in the city and 45% on the highway. The calculation also assumes national average fuel prices. It’s a useful reference, but your actual fuel costs will vary depending on your driving and local fuel prices. Those who frequently tow or drive fast will likely spend more.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA provides a standard measure, real-world MPG often differs. Owners report figures close to the EPA estimates during normal commuting, but driving style, load, and terrain cause variations. Expect lower MPG if you frequently use four-wheel drive, particularly in snow or mud. Gentle highway driving in 2WD might yield slightly better results than the EPA’s 22 MPG.

How it compares

Compared to other full-size trucks from 2018 with similar drivetrains, the F150’s fuel economy is competitive. A comparable 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 and 4WD achieves an EPA-estimated 17 MPG combined, while a Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L Hemi V8 and 4WD manages a similar 17 MPG combined. These differences are often small when actually driving. Other factors, such as price, features, and capability, tend to matter more to buyers. For buyers wanting better fuel economy, the F150’s 2.7L EcoBoost V6 offers a more efficient choice, achieving upward of 20 MPG combined. See all Ford fuel economy data for a wider comparison of the lineup.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking. The 5.0L V8 delivers plenty of power, but using it frequently uses more gas. Accelerating smoothly will help keep the engine operating efficiently. Anticipating traffic and avoiding sudden stops helps too.

Keep tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, causing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. Check your tires regularly and inflate them to the pressure recommended on the doorjamb sticker. Different tires can also affect fuel economy, so consider that when you replace them.

Avoid idling. Idling burns fuel without going anywhere. If you anticipate waiting for more than a minute, turn off the engine. This is especially important in cities where stoplights and traffic jams happen often. For more MPG details across the F150 range, see F150 MPG across all years.

Reduce wind resistance. Remove any unnecessary items from the truck bed and consider using a tonneau cover to improve airflow. While the effect may not be huge, it helps. Towing drastically reduces fuel economy because of increased wind resistance.