How many miles per gallon does a F-450 ambulance get?

There isn’t a single miles-per-gallon figure for a Ford F-450 ambulance. Real-world fuel economy varies widely based on engine, body, load, and driving conditions, but fleets typically see low-to-mid single-digit to low-teens mpg depending on mission profile.

What follows explains the main factors that influence fuel economy in these vehicles and offers approximate ranges based on common ambulance configurations.

Key factors affecting mpg

The main variables that determine MPG on an F-450 ambulance fall into engine choice, payload, and driving conditions. Here are the primary drivers to consider:

• Engine choice: gasoline engines (such as a 7.3L V8) generally deliver lower mpg under load than diesels; diesels are often more efficient for sustained highway driving.


• Vehicle weight and GVWR: ambulance boxes add significant weight, along with medical equipment and crew, which reduces mpg compared with an empty chassis.


• Chassis configuration and drivetrain: 4x2 vs 4x4, axle ratios, transmission type, and tire size all influence efficiency, especially under load.


• Mission profile and driving conditions: stop-and-go city EMS work with idling and frequent accelerations hurts mpg more than highway cruising or light-speed runs.


• Maintenance and equipment condition: proper tire pressure, engine maintenance, and clean air intake improve efficiency.

Real-world fleets report a spectrum of numbers; sustained heavy-duty EMS use with frequent idling tends to push mpg toward the lower end, while highway driving with lighter loads can edge toward higher values.

Typical ranges by configuration

When an ambulance is built on an F-450, the powertrain and body combination drive the mpg. Here are approximate ranges observed across gasoline and diesel builds. Note that these figures are estimates and will vary by year, box size, and mission profile:

Important notes

These ranges are generalizations based on common configurations and observed fleet data. Actual fuel economy depends on the exact box design, equipment, maintenance, and how the ambulance is operated during shifts.

• Gasoline engines (e.g., 7.3L V8): roughly 8–12 mpg combined under typical EMS operation; highway economy can reach about 12–15 mpg with a lighter payload and steady highway speed.


• Diesel engines (e.g., 6.7L Power Stroke): roughly 9–14 mpg combined; highway figures can improve to ~13–18 mpg when lightly loaded or empty, with heavier payload reducing the range toward the lower end.

These ranges reflect common fleet observations but are not universal. The exact mpg for a specific F-450 ambulance depends on the build, equipment, and usage in service.

Summary

The miles-per-gallon for a Ford F-450 ambulance is not fixed. Expect a wide range: as low as the mid-to-high single digits in heavy, city EMS work to the low-teens or higher on longer highway runs with lighter loads, with diesel configurations typically offering better efficiency under load than gasoline. For precise numbers, consult the ambulance manufacturer’s specifications and your fleet’s operational data.

What is the average mpg for an ambulance?

Overall, vehicles averaged 6.6. 89 (6.71, 7.08) miles per gallon (mpg), 11.5 (10.4, 12.6) miles were travelled per call, and 16.2 (14.8, 17.6) miles per transport; 2.7 (2.4, 2.9) gallons of fuel were used per transport.

What is the gas mileage on a Ford E450 ambulance?

10-12 MPG
With a 55-gallon fuel tank and an average fuel economy of 10-12 MPG, the 2025 Ford E450 can travel between 550 and 660 miles on a full tank.

How many miles per gallon does a Ford E450 get?

The MPG for an "E450" depends on whether you're referring to a Mercedes-Benz E450 or a Ford E-450. The Mercedes-Benz E450 typically gets around 21-30 MPG combined, while the Ford E-450 is a heavy-duty chassis that gets much lower mileage, around 8-12 MPG combined. 
Mercedes-Benz E450

• Sedan: Expect about 23 MPG city / 33 MPG highway for the 2026 model, and around 21/30 MPG combined for recent models. 
• 4MATIC: The all-wheel-drive version typically has slightly lower mileage, around 22/29 MPG city/highway. 
• All-Terrain: The all-terrain wagon version gets around 22/28 MPG. 

Ford E-450

• Motorhome/Chassis: The Ford E-450 is a heavy-duty chassis, commonly used for RVs and shuttle buses, and gets much lower mileage. 
• Average: Expect around 10-12 MPG, though this can vary significantly based on driving conditions, weight, and maintenance. 
• Real-world: Some users report around 8-9 MPG in mixed conditions, sometimes dropping lower, especially with towing or in headwinds. 

How many miles per gallon does a Ford f450 get?

The Ford F-450's MPG varies significantly based on driving conditions, but generally ranges from around 19 MPG when empty to as low as 7-9 MPG when towing heavy loads. Factors like speed, wind, and load weight greatly influence fuel efficiency, with highway speeds often leading to lower MPG, while careful driving can sometimes result in higher numbers. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the F-450's fuel efficiency when towing a fifth wheel: 42sMK exp.YouTube · Mar 31, 2022
MPG breakdown by driving condition

• Empty/Unloaded: Expect to get around 19 MPG on the highway under ideal conditions. 
• Towing/Hauling: Mileage can drop significantly, sometimes to 7-9 MPG when towing a heavy load like a fifth wheel or construction equipment. 
• Highway vs. City:
  • Highway: Under optimal conditions, highway driving can yield around 19 MPG when empty, but this can decrease to 16.4 MPG or lower during aggressive acceleration or higher speeds (75-80 mph). 
  • City: The F-450's MPG in city driving is generally lower than highway, especially when loaded or stop-and-go traffic is involved. 

Factors that influence MPG

• Speed: Higher speeds, particularly above 65-70 mph, will decrease fuel efficiency. 
• Weight: Towing a heavy load dramatically lowers MPG. 
• Gearing and Tires: Different axle ratios and larger tires can impact fuel economy. 
• Wind: Headwinds and wind drag can have a significant effect on mileage. 

This video shows a performance test of the Ford F-450 and discusses its MPG with different loads: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · May 21, 2024