What is the gas mileage on a 7.3 Powerstroke f350?
On average, a Ford F-350 equipped with the 7.3 Power Stroke delivers about 12–18 miles per gallon overall, with highway driving tending toward the higher end and towing or carrying heavy loads pulling results down into the low teens or single digits in some cases. Real-world numbers vary widely based on year, drivetrain, payload, and maintenance.
What affects mpg on a 7.3 Power Stroke F-350
Several factors determine the exact fuel economy you’ll see from a 7.3-powered F-350. The following elements commonly move mpg up or down.
- Drivetrain and axle setup: 2WD generally nets better mpg than 4WD; dual rear wheels add weight and reduce efficiency.
- Payload and towing: carrying people or cargo or towing a heavy trailer dramatically lowers mpg compared with an unloaded truck.
- Transmission and gearing: automatic vs manual, along with axle ratio, affects engine load and cruising efficiency.
- Tire size and condition: under-inflated tires or oversized tires increase rolling resistance and reduce mpg.
- Maintenance and tune: a clean air filter, proper injector function, and overall engine health help preserve economy.
- Driving style and conditions: steady speeds and smooth acceleration improve efficiency; cold starts and frequent stops reduce it.
In practice, many owners report roughly 12–15 mpg in city driving and 15–20 mpg on longer highway trips, with towing or heavy payload dragging numbers toward the low end.
Year and configuration differences
The 7.3 Power Stroke spans several model years and configurations, including variations in whether the truck is 2WD or 4WD, and whether it seats a single rear wheel or dual rear wheels. Engine design evolved from earlier mechanical injection to later direct injection, which can produce small differences in efficiency, but the overall real-world range remains similar when the vehicle is properly maintained.
Because official fuel-economy ratings were not consistently published for every heavy-duty pickup configuration, owners often rely on real-world reports and independent testing to gauge mpg, which helps explain the broad range you’ll see in discussions and forums.
Tips to maximize fuel efficiency
Small adjustments can help you pull more miles from a tank, especially if you rely on the truck for daily driving or light towing.
- Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure; under-inflation increases rolling resistance and hurts mpg.
- Maintain a steady highway speed and minimize rapid acceleration and heavy braking.
- Limit payload and remove unnecessary weight when not towing.
- Perform regular maintenance: replace air filters, keep up with oil changes, and ensure fuel-injector and engine-timing components are in good condition.
- Avoid prolonged idling and use the appropriate diesel fuel grade for your region and climate.
Following these practices can yield modest but meaningful gains in fuel mileage, especially over longer periods of daily use.
Summary
In summary, a 7.3 Power Stroke in an F-350 typically delivers about 12–18 mpg in real-world use. Highway driving tends to be at the high end of that range, while towing and heavy payloads push numbers down. Mileage varies by year, configuration, maintenance, and driving habits, so expectations should be framed by your specific truck and typical use.
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.
How many miles per gallon does a 2000 7.3 Powerstroke get?
A 2000 7.3 Powerstroke typically gets 11-16 mpg for average daily driving, while empty highway driving can reach 17-20 mpg. Fuel mileage is highly dependent on factors like driving conditions, gearing, and whether the vehicle is being used for towing, which can lower mpg to 9-14 mpg.
Average fuel economy
- Daily driving/City: Expect around 11-16 mpg.
- Highway (unloaded): Typically gets 17-20 mpg, especially when driving at moderate speeds (e.g., 60-65 mph).
- Towing: MPG can drop to 9-14 mpg or lower, depending on the weight of the trailer, terrain, and speed.
Factors that impact MPG
- Gearing: Axle ratios significantly affect fuel economy. Trucks with different gears will have different MPG results.
- Driving style: Aggressive driving, such as frequent acceleration or high speeds, will reduce MPG.
- Towing: Hauling heavy loads, especially in hilly terrain or against the wind, will decrease MPG.
- Vehicle condition: Proper maintenance, like clean filters and fresh oil, can help maintain optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
- Modifications: Some modifications, such as a larger turbo or a performance tuner, can impact mileage. Stock vehicles generally perform at the lower end of the MPG range, while modified vehicles may see a slight increase or decrease depending on the tune.
What kind of fuel mileage does a 7.3 diesel get?
A 7.3L diesel engine's MPG varies significantly, but generally ranges from 10-17 MPG when unloaded, with highway driving yielding higher numbers (around 16-18 MPG) and city driving around 14 MPG. Towing a trailer will lower this figure, often to 10-13 MPG, depending on the load. Factors like driving style, gear ratio, tire size, and modifications can impact fuel economy.
Unloaded and light towing
- Average: 14-16 MPG
- Highway: 16-18 MPG, with some drivers reporting 19-22 MPG under ideal, steady conditions
- City/Aggressive driving: 10-15 MPG
Towing and heavy loads
- Average: 10-13 MPG, depending on trailer weight
- Factors that lower MPG: Towing a heavy or large trailer will result in lower mileage
Factors that influence MPG
- Driving style: Aggressive acceleration and high speeds decrease fuel economy
- Gear ratio: Different axle ratios will affect performance and mileage
- Tires: Large or aggressive tires can reduce MPG
- Modifications: Cold air intakes, tuners, or other upgrades can increase or decrease mileage, depending on the specific mod
What is the fuel mileage on a 2003 Ford f250 7.3 diesel?
A 2003 Ford F-250 with the 7.3L diesel engine typically gets between 12 and 19 miles per gallon (mpg), with city driving averaging 12-14 mpg and highway driving averaging 15-19 mpg. Actual mileage depends heavily on factors like driving style, vehicle condition, and gear ratios.
Factors influencing MPG
- Driving conditions: City driving is generally lower, while highway driving is higher. For example, some owners report around 14 mpg in the city and 16-18 mpg on the highway.
- Towing: Towing a trailer will significantly reduce fuel economy. One owner reported getting about 11 mpg while towing a 6,500-pound travel trailer at 70 mph.
- Vehicle condition: A well-maintained truck will get better mileage. Issues like dragging brakes or dirty air filters can negatively impact MPG.
- Modifications: Aftermarket tunes can improve fuel economy for some owners, but results vary.
- Gearing: The rear axle ratio plays a role in fuel efficiency, according to Facebook users.
