How many miles per gallon does a 2006 Ford F-550 diesel get?

In short, a 2006 Ford F-550 diesel typically achieves about 9–12 miles per gallon in mixed driving, with highway-only ranges around 12–16 mpg when unloaded; payload and towing reduce mpg significantly. This reflects real-world experience rather than a single official rating for this heavy-duty truck.

The Ford F-550 is a heavy-duty, Class 5 truck designed for hauling and towing rather than city commuting. In 2006, most models used the 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel, with performance and fuel economy dependent on drivetrain, axle gearing, tires, payload, and driving habits. Official EPA fuel economy ratings for this class aren’t always published in the same way as light-duty pickups, so owner reports and reviews are often the best guide to what you can expect in everyday use.

Typical mpg ranges by usage

Real-world figures vary, but these ranges reflect common experiences for a 2006 F-550 diesel truck under typical configurations.

• Unloaded or light payload on highway: 12–16 mpg


• Mixed driving (city and highway with some payload): 9–12 mpg


• Heavily loaded or towing a trailer: 6–10 mpg

The ranges show the expected spread based on load, gearing, and driving conditions. Individual results can be higher or lower depending on specific configuration and maintenance history.

Factors that influence fuel economy and how to optimize it

Improving mpg on a 2006 F-550 requires a combination of maintenance, driving habits, and load management. The following tips help you maximize efficiency for a heavy-duty diesel in typical use.

• Maintain proper tire pressure and alignment; underinflated tires and misalignment waste fuel.


• Keep the vehicle as light as possible when not towing; remove unnecessary weight and accessories.


• Choose the right drivetrain setup for your typical loads; heavier towing generally benefits from gearing designed for stability, even if it costs a bit of efficiency.


• Perform regular maintenance: replace air filters, use recommended oil viscosity, and address fuel system or exhaust concerns promptly.


• Drive with steady speeds; use cruise control on highways when appropriate and minimize idling.


• Plan routes to reduce stop-and-go driving and maintain momentum when possible.

Following these practices won’t turn a F-550 into a fuel-efficient passenger car, but they can help you maintain the best possible efficiency for its class and duty cycle.

Summary

Fuel economy for a 2006 Ford F-550 diesel varies widely based on payload, towing, drivetrain configuration, and maintenance. Typical real-world ranges are roughly 9–12 mpg combined, 12–16 mpg on highway when unloaded, and 6–10 mpg under heavy load or towing. Because official ratings for this class aren’t as standardized as for lighter vehicles, tracking your own vehicle’s usage remains the most reliable guide for your specific setup.

How many miles per gallon does a 2006 6.0 Power Stroke get?

A 2006 6.0L Powerstroke's fuel economy typically ranges from 14 to 19 mpg, with highway driving yielding the higher end of this range, especially when driven at 55-70 mph. Factors like driving conditions (city vs. highway), driving speed, and whether the truck has been "deleted" or tuned significantly impact the actual mileage. 
You can watch this video to see a 2006 6.0 Powerstroke's fuel mileage while hauling mulch: 35sRC Guy GarageYouTube · Aug 31, 2018
Factors affecting MPG

• Driving habits: Aggressive acceleration and high speeds (above 75 mph) will lower your mileage. 
• Modifications: Removing emissions equipment ("deleting") and adding a performance "tune" can improve mileage. Some tuners claim to achieve up to 23-25 mpg on the highway, but this is an optimistic estimate. 
• Towing: Towing a heavy load, such as a travel trailer, will significantly decrease fuel economy, potentially to around 10-10.5 mpg. 
• Maintenance: A well-maintained truck will generally perform better than one with known issues. The 6.0L Powerstroke is known for having potential failure points, and addressing these can improve efficiency. 

Typical mileage examples

• Mixed city/highway: Expect around 16-17 mpg. 
• Mostly highway (55-70 mph): 18-19 mpg is a reasonable expectation for an unloaded truck. 
• Highway (75+ mph): Mileage can drop to 16 mpg or lower. 

How many miles per gallon does a Ford F550 diesel get?

An F-550 diesel's MPG varies significantly based on factors like the engine, drivetrain, and usage, but generally ranges from 7.8 to 14.8 mpg for heavy-duty work, with unloaded highway driving sometimes reaching up to 20 mpg. The specific configuration, especially the axle ratio and how the vehicle is used (towing vs. unloaded), dramatically impacts fuel economy. 
This video compares the fuel economy of a Ford F-550 and a RAM 3500: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · Oct 1, 2025
Factors affecting MPG

• Axle ratio: Trucks geared for heavy towing (like a 4.88 ratio) will have lower MPG when unloaded compared to trucks with higher gears, but will perform better when towing. 
• Driving conditions: Heavy city driving, hills, and wind will all decrease fuel economy. 
• Load and use: An unloaded F-550 will get better mileage than a truck used for hauling or towing heavy loads. 
• Maintenance: Proper maintenance can help improve fuel efficiency. 
• Engine: While some older models might have lower mileage, newer 6.7L Power Stroke engines tend to get better mileage. 

Real-world examples

• An unloaded 2019 F-550 with the 6.7L engine averaged around 13 mpg, according to the dash. 
• A 2017 F-550 with a heavy-duty axle ratio (4.88) got about 12 mpg unloaded on the highway. 
• A dump truck F-550 with 4.88 or 5.xx gears got a little over 10 mpg unloaded on the freeway. 

You can watch this video to see a real-world test of a 2017 F-550's fuel mileage: 53sworkplaytvYouTube · Nov 29, 2018
Important considerations

• Prioritize your needs: If you plan to haul heavy loads, you will sacrifice some fuel efficiency. Choose a truck with gearing appropriate for your typical use. 
• Be realistic: An F-550 is a heavy-duty truck and is not designed for fuel economy. Expect lower MPG than a smaller truck, especially when towing. 
• Check your MPG: Your truck's onboard computer may not be completely accurate, so track your fuel economy over a few tanks of gas to get a more precise average. 

How big is the fuel tank on a 2006 Ford F550?

The 2000-2010 Ford F350, F450 & F550 Cab and Chassis trucks are equipped with an after-axle 40 gallon fuel tank.

What is the mpg on a 6.0 Power Stroke?

A 6.0 Powerstroke typically gets between 12 and 19 mpg, depending heavily on driving conditions, modifications, and the vehicle's specific setup. Highway driving will yield higher mileage, sometimes reaching 18-19 mpg, while city or heavy towing will be lower, potentially dropping to 12-15 mpg or less. 
Factors that affect 6.0 Powerstroke MPG

• Driving style: Aggressive driving or high-speed highway cruising will decrease fuel economy. 
• Modifications: Upgrades like an EGR delete, custom tunes, or intake/exhaust improvements can affect mileage. 
• Towing and load: Towing a heavy load will significantly reduce MPG compared to an unloaded truck. 
• Vehicle maintenance: Proper maintenance, such as using fresh fuel filters, is crucial for optimal performance and efficiency. 
• Tire pressure: Keeping tires properly inflated can help improve mileage. 
• City vs. highway: Mixed city and highway driving will result in lower average MPG compared to mostly highway driving.