What a Pickup Truck Actually Costs to Fuel

Pickup trucks cost more to fuel than most cars, and the difference depends on the truck's size, engine, and how you drive

A full-size pickup truck with a standard gasoline engine typically costs between $50 and $80 to fill a 20- to 26-gallon tank, depending on current gas prices in your area. That means your per-gallon cost is the same as any other vehicle, but you're buying more gallons each time you fill up. Most full-size pickups get 15 to 22 miles per gallon on the highway, and 12 to 18 in the city. Smaller trucks and those with diesel engines have different costs — diesel fuel prices fluctuate separately from gasoline, and diesel trucks often get better mileage but cost more upfront.

The real expense comes from how often you fill up. If you drive 12,000 miles a year in a truck that gets 18 miles per gallon, you'll buy roughly 667 gallons of fuel annually. At $3.50 per gallon, that's about $2,335 a year. The same distance in a sedan that gets 28 miles per gallon costs roughly $1,500. That $835 difference is what you're paying for the truck's size and weight, not for some hidden fee or inefficiency.

Key Takeaways

• Full-size pickup trucks typically get 15 to 22 miles per gallon on highways and 12 to 18 in cities, which is lower than most cars because of their weight and engine size.
• Your annual fuel cost depends on how many miles you drive and current gas prices in South Carolina, which change weekly.
• Diesel trucks often cost more per gallon but may travel farther on each gallon, so the total yearly cost can be similar to or higher than gasoline trucks depending on the model.
• Towing, hauling heavy loads, and driving in stop-and-go traffic all reduce fuel economy below the manufacturer's estimates.
• Keeping your truck maintained — proper tire pressure, regular oil changes, and a clean air filter — can improve fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent.

How truck size and engine type affect fuel costs

A compact or mid-size pickup (like a Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado) typically gets 18 to 24 miles per gallon and holds 15 to 21 gallons. A full-size truck (Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500) gets 15 to 22 miles per gallon and holds 20 to 26 gallons. The difference in tank size means you're spending more per fill-up, even if the per-gallon price is identical.

Diesel engines in pickup trucks (available on Ford F-250 and larger models, and some Ram trucks) typically get 18 to 25 miles per gallon, which sounds better than gasoline. However, diesel fuel costs more per gallon — usually 20 to 50 cents more than gasoline, depending on the week and your location. A diesel truck that gets 20 miles per gallon at $3.80 per gallon costs roughly $2,280 annually for 12,000 miles. A gasoline truck getting 18 miles per gallon at $3.50 per gallon costs roughly $2,335. The savings are small, and diesel trucks cost significantly more to buy.

Hybrid and electric pickup trucks are becoming available (Ford F-150 Lightning is fully electric; Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 have hybrid options). These cost more upfront but can reduce fuel or electricity costs by 20 to 40 percent over time. However, they are not yet common in the used market, so most truck buyers are still choosing gasoline or diesel.

What reduces fuel economy in real driving

The miles-per-gallon numbers on a truck's window sticker are measured under controlled conditions. Your actual fuel economy will be lower if you tow a trailer, carry heavy loads, drive mostly in the city, or accelerate quickly. Towing can reduce fuel economy by 20 to 40 percent depending on the trailer weight and aerodynamics. Hauling a full bed of gravel or equipment reduces it by 10 to 20 percent.

City driving with frequent stops and starts uses more fuel than highway driving at steady speeds. If you drive mostly in town, expect fuel economy 15 to 25 percent worse than the highway estimate. Cold weather also reduces fuel economy because engines run less efficiently when they're warming up, and winter fuel blends are formulated differently. Idling — leaving the truck running while parked — wastes fuel without moving you anywhere; even a few minutes of idling per day adds up over weeks and months.

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy by 3 to 5 percent per tire. A dirty air filter makes the engine work harder and can reduce economy by 5 to 10 percent. These are cheap fixes that pay for themselves quickly in fuel savings.

Calculating your annual fuel cost

To estimate what you'll actually spend, you need three numbers: your annual mileage, your truck's real-world fuel economy, and the current price of fuel in your area. Start with annual mileage — if you drive 12,000 miles a year (the national average), use that. If you drive more or less, adjust accordingly.

For fuel economy, use the EPA's combined estimate (the middle number on the window sticker), not the highway number. Most people drive a mix of city and highway, so combined is more realistic. If you plan to tow or haul regularly, subtract 20 to 30 percent from that number.

Check current gas prices in your area — the South Carolina average changes weekly and varies by county. Use a recent price, not a historical average. Then divide your annual mileage by your truck's fuel economy to find gallons per year, and multiply by the price per gallon. For example: 12,000 miles ÷ 18 miles per gallon = 667 gallons per year. At $3.50 per gallon, that's $2,335 annually, or about $195 per month.

Comparing pickup truck fuel costs to other vehicles

A midsize sedan that gets 28 miles per gallon costs roughly $1,500 per year to fuel for 12,000 miles at $3.50 per gallon. A compact car that gets 32 miles per gallon costs about $1,310. A full-size SUV that gets 20 miles per gallon costs about $2,100. A pickup truck at 18 miles per gallon costs about $2,335. The difference between a truck and a sedan is real — roughly $800 to $1,000 per year — but it's not hidden or surprising. You're paying for the truck's size, weight, and capability.

If you use the truck for work — hauling materials, towing equipment, or carrying tools — the fuel cost is a business expense that may be deductible on your taxes. If you use it primarily for personal driving and occasionally haul something, the extra fuel cost is simply part of owning that vehicle. Either way, the math is straightforward: more weight and larger engine size mean more fuel consumption.

Ways to reduce fuel costs with a pickup truck

Keep your truck properly maintained. Check tire pressure monthly and inflate to the manufacturer's recommendation (found on the driver's door jamb, not the tire sidewall). Replace the air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or when it looks dirty. Change the oil on schedule. A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and uses less fuel.

Reduce unnecessary weight. Remove roof racks, toolboxes, or other equipment you're not actively using. An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by roughly 1 percent. Don't use the truck bed as storage for things you could keep at home or in a garage.

Drive smoothly. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste fuel. Maintain steady speeds on the highway. Avoid idling — if you're stopped for more than 10 seconds, turn off the engine. On short trips, let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving, not several minutes.

Plan your routes to avoid traffic and unnecessary miles. Combine errands into one trip rather than making multiple short trips. Short trips are especially fuel-inefficient because the engine hasn't reached full operating temperature.

Fuel costs for used pickup trucks

Older trucks often get worse fuel economy than newer ones because engine technology has improved. A truck from 2010 might get 15 miles per gallon where a 2020 model gets 20. However, used trucks cost less to buy, so the savings on purchase price may offset the higher fuel cost over several years of ownership.

When shopping for a used truck, check the EPA fuel economy estimate for that specific year and model. Don't rely on the seller's claims about how much they spent on gas — they may have driven differently than you will, or the truck may need maintenance that affects fuel economy. Look for trucks with lower mileage and good maintenance records, as these tend to have better fuel economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fill up a pickup truck?

A full-size pickup truck with a 20- to 26-gallon tank costs $70 to $90 to fill at current South Carolina gas prices, which vary by week and location. A smaller truck with a 15- to 21-gallon tank costs $50 to $75. The exact amount depends on the current price per gallon in your area.

Do diesel trucks really save money on fuel?

Diesel trucks get better mileage per gallon than gasoline trucks, but diesel fuel costs more per gallon. Over a year, the total cost is often similar or slightly higher than a comparable gasoline truck. Diesel trucks cost more to buy upfront, so you'd need to keep the truck for many years to break even on fuel savings alone.

What's the difference between EPA estimates and real-world fuel economy?

EPA estimates are measured under controlled conditions and assume moderate driving. Real-world economy is usually 10 to 25 percent lower because of city driving, towing, cold weather, and other factors. Use the EPA combined estimate as a starting point, then adjust downward if you tow, haul, or drive mostly in town.

Can I improve my truck's fuel economy after I buy it?

Yes, by maintaining the truck properly and changing your driving habits. Keeping tires inflated, replacing air filters on schedule, and driving smoothly can improve fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent. Removing unnecessary weight and avoiding idling also help, though the gains are smaller.

Is a pickup truck worth the extra fuel cost?

That depends on what you use it for. If you haul or tow regularly, the truck's capability justifies the fuel cost. If you drive it mostly for personal transportation and rarely use the bed, a sedan or SUV would cost less to fuel. Calculate your annual mileage and fuel cost, then decide whether the truck's features are worth the difference.