The Ford F-550 does 22.9 mpg combined (21.6 city, 25.3 highway), which works out to about $1,677 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 38.5 mpg while 4.6L 8-cyl does 18.1 — a difference of $1,125 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 15.6 mpg.
Every Ford F-550 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 40.5 / 36.7 | 2013–2018 | $997 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 22 / 30 | 1999–2020 | $1,536 | |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 1999–2000 | $1,829 | |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 19.3 / 21.5 | 2021–2026 | $1,901 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 18.2 / 19.5 | 2021–2026 | $2,043 | |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 15.3 / 22.8 | 2001–2012 | $2,122 |
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 | $0.140 |
| Fuel per year | $1,677 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,385 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$785 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,931 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 | 21.6 mpg | $1,778 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25.3 mpg | $1,518 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.7 mpg (17%) | Typical for its type |
How the F-550 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,076 | |
| 2025 | 17.5 / 20 | 2 | $2,021 | |
| 2024 | 19.5 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 19.5 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2022 | 19.5 / 20.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2021 | 19 / 21 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2020 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 42 / 38 | 1 | $960 | |
| 2017 | 41 / 38 | 1 | $985 | |
| 2016 | 40 / 36 | 1 | $1,011 | |
| 2015 | 40 / 36 | 1 | $1,011 | |
| 2014 | 40 / 36 | 1 | $1,011 | |
| 2013 | 40 / 36 | 1 | $1,011 | |
| 2012 | 13 / 17 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2011 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2010 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2009 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2008 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2007 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2006 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2005 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2003 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2002 | 15 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2001 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2000 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 1999 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 |
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-550 get?
22.9 mpg combined on average — 21.6 in the city and 25.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1999–2026.
How much does a Ford F-550 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,677 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,385 over five years, or 0.140 dollars a mile.
Which F-550 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 38.5 mpg, against 18.1 for the 4.6L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,125 a year.
Is the F-550 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above 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.