The Ford F-250 does 14.6 mpg combined (13.1 city, 17.0 highway), which works out to about $2,630 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.9L 6-cyl does 14.9 mpg while 5L 8-cyl does 14.2 — a difference of $127 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Ford F-250 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9L 6-cyl | 13.8 / 16.8 | 1984–1996 | $2,577 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 13 / 17.7 | 1997–1999 | $2,612 | |
| 5L 8-cyl | 12.5 / 16.9 | 1984–1996 | $2,704 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.219 |
| Fuel per year | $2,630 |
| Fuel over five years | $13,150 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$168 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,140 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 13.1 mpg | $2,931 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 17.0 mpg | $2,259 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.9 mpg (30%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the F-250 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 1998 | 13 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1997 | 14 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 1996 | 12.5 / 17 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1995 | 12 / 17 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1994 | 12.5 / 17 | 2 | $2,743 | |
| 1993 | 14 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1992 | 13.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1991 | 13 / 18 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1990 | 13 / 17 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1989 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1988 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1987 | 13 / 16.5 | 2 | $2,648 | |
| 1986 | 14 / 17 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1985 | 14 / 17 | 2 | $2,560 | |
| 1984 | 13.5 / 16 | 2 | $2,648 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Ford F-250 get?
14.6 mpg combined on average — 13.1 in the city and 17.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1999.
How much does a Ford F-250 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,630 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $13,150 over five years, or 0.219 dollars a mile.
Which F-250 engine is the most economical?
The 4.9L 6-cyl at 14.9 mpg, against 14.2 for the 5L 8-cyl — a difference of about $127 a year.
Is the F-250 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 15.6 mpg, computed across 4665 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.