How Much More Fuel Efficient Are Trucks Today Compared to the Old Days?
If you've ever driven an older pickup truck, you probably remember one thing about it: they could be thirsty.
Truck owners have always accepted that pickups use more fuel than cars because trucks are built to haul, tow, and work. But today's trucks are surprisingly more fuel-efficient than the pickups of decades past. In fact, modern truck technology has made it possible to get substantially better fuel economy while delivering far more horsepower, towing capability, comfort, and technology.
So, how much more fuel-efficient are trucks today compared with the old days?
Let's take a look.
How Has Truck Fuel Economy Improved?
One of the best ways to see the difference is to compare the average pickup truck from the 1970s with today's trucks.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, the average new pickup truck achieved approximately 11.9 miles per gallon in 1975.
By 2024, the average new pickup was achieving approximately 20.5 MPG.
That represents an improvement of roughly 72% in miles per gallon.
Preliminary EPA data for 2025 puts the average new pickup at approximately 21.3 MPG, which would represent nearly an 80% improvement compared with 1975.
That's a major difference.
A truck that once traveled around 12 miles on a gallon of gasoline can now travel roughly 20 or more miles on that same gallon.
What Does That Mean for Your Fuel Bill?
Let's put those numbers into a real-world example.
Imagine driving 15,000 miles per year.
At 11.9 MPG, a truck would theoretically consume approximately:
1,261 gallons of fuel per year
At 20.5 MPG, that same 15,000 miles would require approximately:
732 gallons of fuel per year
That's a difference of approximately 529 gallons of fuel every year.
Of course, your actual fuel economy will vary depending on the truck, engine, drivetrain, driving conditions, towing, payload, tires, weather, and driving habits.
Still, the comparison demonstrates just how much truck fuel economy has improved over the last several decades.
Today's Trucks Are More Powerful Too
Here's where the improvement becomes even more impressive.
Modern trucks aren't simply getting better MPG because they're smaller or less capable. Quite the opposite.
Today's pickups generally offer significantly more horsepower and technology than trucks from the 1970s.
EPA data shows that average vehicle horsepower increased from approximately 137 horsepower in 1975 to 258 horsepower in 2024.
For pickup trucks specifically, average horsepower has increased dramatically since the 1970s.
That means today's truck buyer can have significantly more power without necessarily accepting the poor fuel economy associated with older trucks.
Why Are Modern Trucks More Fuel Efficient?
Several major advancements have helped improve pickup truck fuel economy.
1. Advanced Engine Technology
Modern gasoline engines use technologies such as direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, turbocharging, cylinder deactivation, and sophisticated computer controls.
Instead of simply delivering fuel at a fixed rate, modern engines continuously adjust fuel delivery and engine operation based on driving conditions.
The result is a more efficient use of every gallon of gasoline.
2. More Efficient Transmissions
Older trucks often had three- or four-speed transmissions.
Modern pickups may have eight-, nine-, or even ten-speed automatic transmissions.
Why does that matter?
More gears allow the transmission to keep the engine closer to its most efficient operating range.
At highway speeds, for example, a modern transmission can keep engine RPM relatively low while still providing the power necessary to accelerate or climb hills.
3. Turbocharged Engines
Turbocharging has become increasingly common in modern trucks.
A turbocharger allows manufacturers to get substantial power from a smaller engine.
This concept is sometimes called downsizing: using a smaller engine for everyday driving while using turbocharging to provide additional power when it's needed.
The result can be a combination of strong performance and improved fuel efficiency.
4. Improved Aerodynamics
Pickup trucks aren't exactly shaped like sports cars, but manufacturers have spent decades improving truck aerodynamics.
Engineers use computer modeling and wind-tunnel testing to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Small changes to the front end, grille, hood, mirrors, bed, underbody, and other areas can reduce the amount of energy required to push a truck through the air.
That becomes particularly important at highway speeds.
5. Lighter Materials
Modern truck manufacturers have also found ways to reduce weight while maintaining strength and durability.
Some popular pickups have adopted aluminum body panels and other lightweight materials.
Reducing unnecessary weight means the engine doesn't have to work as hard to move the vehicle, which can contribute to better fuel economy.
6. Hybrid and Electric Technology
The next major chapter in truck efficiency is electrification.
Hybrid pickups combine a gasoline engine with electric motors and batteries to improve efficiency and performance.
Fully electric pickups eliminate gasoline consumption altogether, although electricity use and charging costs become the relevant considerations.
The EPA reported that battery-electric pickups represented approximately 2% of the pickup market in 2024, showing that electrification is still a relatively small but growing part of the truck market.
Modern Trucks Are Bigger, Too
There's another factor that makes the improvement in fuel economy especially interesting.
Modern trucks aren't necessarily small, lightweight vehicles.
Today's pickups are often larger than their predecessors and offer substantially more interior space, safety equipment, technology, towing capacity, and payload capability.
The EPA reports that the average new vehicle weighed about 4,060 pounds in 1975 compared with approximately 4,354 pounds in 2024.
So, while manufacturers have made vehicles more efficient, they have simultaneously added features and capabilities that increase weight.
That's a pretty impressive engineering achievement.
Does Every New Truck Get Better MPG?
Not necessarily.
Fuel economy depends heavily on the specific truck and how you use it.
For example, a heavy-duty diesel pickup towing a large trailer will obviously consume more fuel than a smaller half-ton pickup cruising down the highway without a load.
Factors that can reduce your truck's MPG include:
Heavy towing
Large payloads
Aggressive acceleration
Oversized tires
Lift kits
Four-wheel drive
Stop-and-go traffic
Cold weather
Poor tire pressure
Idling
Frequent short trips
That's why it's important to consider how you'll actually use the truck when shopping for a vehicle.
The truck with the best advertised MPG isn't necessarily the best truck for someone who regularly tows a trailer or hauls heavy equipment.
Is a Newer Truck Worth It for Better Fuel Economy?
If you're currently driving an older pickup, fuel savings can be one factor to consider when deciding whether it's time to upgrade.
However, fuel economy shouldn't be the only consideration.
You also need to look at the purchase price of the vehicle, financing costs, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and how many miles you drive each year.
For someone who drives a lot of miles, the difference between an older truck getting around 12 MPG and a newer truck getting 20+ MPG can become significant.
For someone who only drives a few thousand miles a year, the fuel savings may not justify replacing a truck that is otherwise reliable.
The Bottom Line
So, how much more fuel-efficient are trucks today?
Compared with the average new pickup in 1975, today's trucks are roughly 70% to 80% better in miles-per-gallon terms, depending on the model year used for comparison.
And the impressive part isn't just the improvement in fuel economy.
Modern trucks also deliver:
More horsepower
Better transmissions
Improved safety
Greater towing capability
More advanced engine technology
Better aerodynamics
More comfort and technology
Hybrid and electric options
Today's pickup trucks prove that fuel efficiency and capability don't necessarily have to be opposites.
If you're shopping for a pickup and want to find the right balance between fuel economy, capability, reliability, and price, take a look at the inventory at Shop Auto Factory.
Visit ShopAutoFactory.com to explore available vehicles and find your next truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are modern trucks more fuel efficient than older trucks?
Yes. Average pickup truck fuel economy has improved dramatically since the 1970s. EPA data shows the average new pickup increasing from approximately 11.9 MPG in 1975 to approximately 20.5 MPG in 2024.
What truck gets the best gas mileage?
Fuel economy varies by model, engine, drivetrain, and configuration. Hybrid and smaller turbocharged pickups can offer particularly strong fuel economy, while heavy-duty trucks prioritize towing and payload capability.
Why do modern trucks get better gas mileage?
Modern trucks benefit from more efficient engines, turbocharging, direct fuel injection, advanced transmissions, improved aerodynamics, lighter materials, and increasingly hybrid technology.
Are diesel trucks more fuel efficient than gas trucks?
Diesel engines can provide excellent fuel economy, particularly in heavy-duty applications, but the best choice depends on how the truck will be used. Diesel trucks are often particularly well suited to frequent towing and heavy-duty work.
How can I improve my truck's gas mileage?
Keeping tires properly inflated, avoiding unnecessary idling, maintaining the engine, removing unnecessary weight, driving smoothly, and avoiding excessive speeds can all help improve real-world fuel economy.
