How many miles per gallon does a 2002 Ford f450 get?
Diesel-powered 2002 F-450s with the 7.3L Power Stroke typically achieve about 15–20 miles per gallon on highways and roughly 12–15 mpg in city driving, while gasoline-powered versions with the 6.8L V10 usually run around 12–15 mpg on highways and 9–12 mpg in the city.
The F-450 is a heavy-duty truck whose fuel economy depends on engine choice, payload, towing, gearing, and driving conditions. Official EPA ratings from that era are scarce for this chassis-cab segment, and real-world results vary widely. The rest of this report breaks down the typical numbers and the factors that influence them.
Engine options and their typical mpg
Two powertrain configurations defined the 2002 F-450 lineup, and each comes with its own typical fuel economy profile.
- 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel — Diesel powertrains generally offer better highway efficiency. Typical ranges are city 12–15 mpg, highway 16–20 mpg, with combined figures around 14–17 mpg depending on load, terrain, and transmission.
- 6.8L V10 Gasoline — Gasoline engines are usually less efficient in this class. Typical ranges are city 9–12 mpg, highway 12–15 mpg, with combined roughly 11–13 mpg.
In real-world driving, the diesel version tends to outpace the gasoline model on highway miles, especially when not carrying heavy payloads. However, towing and high-load conditions can compress both engines’ numbers toward the lower end of their ranges.
Factors that affect fuel economy
Several variables can push fuel economy up or down for a 2002 F-450, sometimes dramatically.
: Heavier loads increase engine work and reduce mpg, especially in hilly or windy conditions. : Frequent acceleration, high speeds, and steep grades lower efficiency; steady highway cruising helps. : Automatic versus manual transmissions and axle ratios influence efficiency; higher gearing generally improves highway mpg but may hurt takeoff and pulling power. : Under- or over-inflated tires and larger-than-stock tires raise rolling resistance and reduce mpg.
Because a single vehicle can vary widely based on these factors, two similarly equipped F-450s may report noticeably different fuel economy in practice.
Real-world numbers and expectations
Owners and historical test data suggest the following practical expectations. Diesel F-450s with the 7.3L Power Stroke typically post higher highway mileage and respectable overall efficiency when not towing; gasoline F-450s generally deliver lower overall mileage, with notable drops when heavily loaded.
If you plan regular towing or frequent heavy payload use, anticipate numbers toward the lower ends of the ranges above. For light-duty highway driving without substantial towing, diesel models can approach the upper end of their highway range, while gasoline models will cluster toward the lower end of their numbers.
Summary
The 2002 Ford F-450’s miles-per-gallon figures depend primarily on engine choice: diesel models (7.3L Power Stroke) typically deliver roughly 15–20 mpg on highways and about 12–15 mpg in urban driving, while gasoline models (6.8L V10) usually reach about 12–15 mpg highway and 9–12 mpg city. Real-world results vary widely based on payload, towing, terrain, driving style, and maintenance. For anyone evaluating a 2002 F-450 today, expect a broad range and plan for lower numbers when towing or hauling heavy loads.
