How many miles per gallon does a F250 diesel get?

The Ford F-250 with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel typically achieves about 15–17 miles per gallon in mixed driving and around 19–21 mpg on highway cruising; exact numbers depend on drivetrain, payload, and terrain.

Diesel-powered Super Duty pickups are built for torque and towing efficiency rather than class-leading fuel economy. MPG varies by model year, configuration, axle ratio, and whether the truck is 2WD or 4WD. The sections that follow summarize typical EPA estimates for common setups, plus real-world factors and tips to maximize efficiency.

What to expect from a diesel F-250

Diesel powertrains deliver high torque and steady highway efficiency, which makes them advantageous for towing and long-distance hauling. However, weight, payload, air resistance, and terrain can cause substantial swings in mpg. The numbers below provide a baseline for common configurations.

EPA fuel economy estimates for common configurations

The following EPA estimates apply to the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel in typical F-250 setups. Your exact numbers may vary by year and option package.

• 2WD, 6.7L Power Stroke diesel: City about 15 mpg, highway about 21 mpg, combined about 17 mpg.


• 4WD, 6.7L Power Stroke diesel: City about 15 mpg, highway about 19–20 mpg, combined about 17 mpg.

Note: Real-world results are often lower when towing or carrying payload and higher on light highway cruising without heavy loads.

Real-world factors that affect mpg

Several factors beyond drivetrain influence actual fuel economy on F-250 diesel pickups.

• Payload and towing weight


• Tire size and inflation pressure


• Driving style and speed


• Terrain, weather, and wind resistance


• Aerodynamics, such as bed covers or tonneau options


• Maintenance and fuel quality

Understanding these factors helps you estimate real-world mpg more accurately and choose configurations that fit your needs.

Tips to maximize fuel economy

Small, practical changes can add up over time. Here are proven steps for better mileage with a diesel F-250.

• Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and rotate them regularly.


• Reduce payload and avoid unnecessary weight; remove unused accessories when not needed.


• Plan trips to minimize idling and combine errands into longer trips.


• Drive with smooth acceleration and steady speeds; use cruise control on highways when safe.


• Maintain your diesel fuel system and air filters; use the recommended grade diesel and perform regular maintenance.


• Consider aerodynamic improvements, such as bed covers and lower-drag accessories, to reduce wind resistance when not towing.

Adopting these practices can yield incremental gains; the impact is greatest when towing or hauling loads regularly.

Summary

In brief, a Ford F-250 with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel typically records around 15–17 mpg combined, with highway mileage near 19–21 mpg depending on configuration. Actual results vary with payload, towing, terrain, and driving habits. By staying on top of maintenance, managing weight, and driving efficiently, you can maximize fuel economy within the truck’s capability for heavy-duty work.

What is the MPG on a F250 diesel?

18-20 mpg
The diesel-powered 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel engine offers an estimated 18-20 mpg on the highway under optimal conditions.

Is the F250 6.7 better than the 7.3 gas?

The primary difference is that the 6.7L diesel excels in towing and torque, while the 7.3L gas is cheaper to buy and maintain, and has better high-end horsepower. For heavy-duty towing needs, the diesel is the superior choice. For lighter towing, daily driving, and overall cost savings on maintenance and purchase price, the 7.3L gas engine is the better option. 
You can watch this video to learn how the 7.3L gas engine compares to the 6.7L diesel engine in towing: 58sT & T Landscape & MasonryYouTube · Dec 10, 2022
6.7L Diesel

• Pros:
  • Superior towing capacity: It has significantly higher towing capacity, especially for heavy loads like 5th wheels. 
  • Higher torque: It delivers more torque at lower RPMs, making it better for hauling heavy loads up hills. 
  • Durability: Diesel engines are generally built to last longer with proper maintenance. 
• Cons:
  • Higher upfront cost: The diesel engine option is more expensive to purchase. 
  • Higher maintenance costs: Diesel trucks have more complex emissions systems (like DPF and DEF fluid) and can have more expensive repairs. 
  • Heavier weight: The heavier engine reduces the truck's payload capacity. 

7.3L Gas

• Pros:
  • Lower initial and maintenance cost: It is cheaper to purchase and has simpler maintenance requirements with no complex emissions systems. 
  • Higher horsepower: It produces more horsepower at higher RPMs. 
  • Lighter weight: It is a lighter engine, which increases the truck's payload capacity. 
• Cons:
  • Lower towing capacity: While capable, it is not designed for the heaviest towing jobs compared to the diesel. 
  • Lower torque: It has significantly less torque than the diesel engine. 
  • Lower fuel economy: It generally gets lower gas mileage, though highway fuel economy can be acceptable. 

This video discusses the cost and maintenance differences between the 7.3L gas and 6.7L diesel engines: 59sSalty TripsYouTube · Apr 6, 2025
Which is right for you?

• Choose the 6.7L Diesel if you regularly tow heavy loads (e.g., large 5th wheels, heavy equipment) and want the best performance for those tasks. 
• Choose the 7.3L Gas if you tow less frequently, are on a tighter budget, and want a truck with lower maintenance costs and higher payload capacity for daily use. 

What is the fuel mileage on a 6.7 Powerstroke vs 6.7 Cummins?

The Ford 6.7L Powerstroke generally gets better highway mileage, typically between 19–20 MPG when unloaded, while the 6.7L Cummins averages around 16–18 MPG. However, the Cummins often performs better under heavy towing loads due to its high low-end torque. Real-world fuel economy can vary significantly depending on factors like model year, vehicle condition, payload, and driving habits. 
This video compares the performance of a 6.7L Powerstroke and a 6.7L Cummins in a pulling competition: 57sMann Family FarmsYouTube · Jul 3, 2021
6.7L Cummins

• Highway MPG (unloaded): 16–18 MPG
• City MPG: Around 12 MPG
• Towing: Stronger under heavy towing loads due to high low-end torque. 

This video shows a MPG challenge comparing a 6.7L Duramax, 6.7L Cummins, and a 6.7L Powerstroke: 56sThe Fast Lane TruckYouTube · Jun 19, 2018
6.7L Powerstroke

• Highway MPG (unloaded): Up to 20 MPG
• City MPG: Around 14–15 MPG
• Towing: Often slightly less fuel-efficient when towing heavy loads compared to the Cummins. 

Key considerations

• Load: The 6.7L Powerstroke tends to have an advantage in fuel economy when unloaded, but this gap narrows significantly or reverses when towing heavy loads, where the Cummins' torque becomes a benefit. 
• Model Year: Fuel economy can vary between different model years for both engines due to design updates. 
• Driving Conditions: Urban vs. highway driving, speed, and driving habits will all affect the final MPG. 
• Towing/Payload: When a truck is fully loaded, fuel economy drops for both engines. Some drivers report a full load can bring the MPG down to around 11.2 MPG for either engine, though this is highly variable. 

What 2500 diesel gets the best MPG?

Best MPG 3/4 Ton Diesel Truck
In that world, the frontrunners are the Chevrolet/GMC 2500 Duramax (6.6L), Ford F-250 Power Stroke (6.7L), and Ram 2500 Cummins (6.7L). Unloaded highway results often sit in the 17–20 mpg window, with mixed driving around 15–18 mpg.