The RAM 1500 does 20.4 mpg combined (17.8 city, 24.7 highway), which works out to about $1,882 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 23.7 mpg while 6.2L 8-cyl does 12 — a difference of $1,580 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every RAM 1500 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the RAM 1500 ranges from 23.7 down to 12 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $1,580 a year across 5 versions of the same car. Picking the right one 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 20.4 / 28.4 | 2014–2026 | $1,620 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl Hybrid | 20 / 25.9 | 2019–2026 | $1,677 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 17.5 / 25 | 2013–2024 | $1,873 | |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 15 / 21.8 | 2013–2024 | $2,259 | |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 10 / 14 | 2026–2027 | $3,200 |
What that actually costs
The RAM 1500 burns a gallon every 20.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 588 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.157 |
| Fuel per year | $1,882 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,410 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$503 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,590 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The RAM 1500 gives up 6.9 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.7 out there against 17.8 in town, a 39% drop worth $602 a year. 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 | 17.8 mpg | $2,157 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.7 mpg | $1,555 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.9 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 1500 changed over the years
The 1500 peaked in 2025 at 22 mpg (19 city, 25.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2027 at 12 — 10 mpg apart, or $1,455 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2027 car does 12. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 10 / 14 | 1 | $3,200 | |
| 2026 | 16 / 21.3 | 3 | $2,098 | |
| 2025 | 19 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2024 | 17.3 / 24 | 3 | $1,920 | |
| 2023 | 18.7 / 25.7 | 3 | $1,803 | |
| 2022 | 19 / 26.7 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 19 / 26.7 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 26.7 | 3 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 18.3 / 25 | 3 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2017 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2016 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2015 | 18 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2014 | 17.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2013 | 16.5 / 23 | 2 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 36 EPA ratings of the RAM 1500 — 5 engines across 2013–2027. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,590. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the RAM 1500 get?
20.4 mpg combined on average — 17.8 in the city and 24.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2027.
How much does a RAM 1500 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,882 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,410 over five years, or 0.157 dollars a mile.
Which 1500 engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 23.7 mpg, against 12 for the 6.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $1,580 a year.
Is the 1500 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world 1500 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the RAM 1500 is $3,590 against the $1,882 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 26 and 12 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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