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  • Newest year: 2003
  • Gas
  • Vans

2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline MPG & Fuel Cost

4 model years · 13–14 MPG combined

14 MPG
Combined
12 MPG
City
16 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD
$4,670

15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 2 of 10 van configurations, MY2003. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline at a glance

The 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline covers 4 model years in the EPA database (10 configurations in all), rated 13–14 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2003, costs about $4,670 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD (14 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and natural gas. EPA changed the ratings in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline by model year

2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2003 Gas 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030 Ratings changed
2002 Gas 13–14 MPG $4,670–$5,030 Ratings changed
2001 Gas 14 MPG $4,670 Ratings changed
2000 Gas, Natural gas 13–14 MPG, 12 MPGe $4,670–$5,030 First year

What the 2003 E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive

Per month

$389

$4,670 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$7.78

Per 100 miles

$31.13

Five years

$23,350

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the van median

Same

Class median $4,670 a year, MY2003

Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2003 Ford E250 Econoline MPG

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 14 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,670.

Gas · 4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L
Combined
13–14 MPG
Per year
$4,670–$5,030

Gas configurations (3)

2003 Ford E250 Econoline gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 12 16 14 $4,670
E250 Econoline 4.6L 8-cyl 4.6L 8-cyl RWD 12 17 14 $4,670
E250 Econoline 5.4L 8-cyl 5.4L 8-cyl RWD 12 15 13 $5,030

2002 Ford E250 Econoline MPG

13–14 MPG · $4,670–$5,030/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration stays at 14 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,670.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.4L
Combined
13–14 MPG
Per year
$4,670–$5,030

Gas configurations (2)

2002 Ford E250 Econoline gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 13 17 14 $4,670
E250 Econoline 5.4L 8-cyl 5.4L 8-cyl RWD 12 17 13 $5,030

2001 Ford E250 Econoline MPG

14 MPG · $4,670/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 14 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,670.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.4L
Combined
14 MPG
Per year
$4,670

Gas configurations (2)

2001 Ford E250 Econoline gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 13 18 14 $4,670
E250 Econoline 5.4L 8-cyl 5.4L 8-cyl RWD 12 17 14 $4,670

2000 Ford E250 Econoline MPG

13–14 MPG, 12 MPGe · $4,670–$5,030/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 4.2L, 5.4L
Combined
13–14 MPG
Per year
$4,670–$5,030
See gas configurations
Natural gas · 5.4L
Combined
12 MPGe
Fuel cost
—

No fuel cost is shown for this fuel.

See natural gas configurations

Gas configurations (2)

2000 Ford E250 Econoline gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl (Most efficient) 4.2L 6-cyl RWD 12 16 14 $4,670
E250 Econoline 5.4L 8-cyl 5.4L 8-cyl RWD 12 17 13 $5,030

Natural gas configurations (1)

2000 Ford E250 Econoline natural gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimDriveCityHwyComb. MPGeRange
CNG (Most efficient) RWD 11 14 12 —

No fuel cost is shown: there is no comparable official retail price series for natural gas.

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD: $6,350 in California and $4,070 in Texas, a $2,280 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2003 van models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline get?

EPA rates the 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline at 13–14 MPG combined across 10 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2003 E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 14 MPG (12 city, 16 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 13–14 MPG; Natural gas: 12 MPGe.

Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline?

Every model year of the 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline tops out at 14 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2003 Ford E250 Econoline?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Ford E250 Econoline per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,670 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $4,670–$5,030 a year. That is a $360 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2003 Ford E250 Econoline 100 miles?

About $31.13 per 100 miles for the E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $31.13 and $33.53 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2003 Ford E250 Econoline more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD is rated 12 city and 16 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 4 MPG.

How does the 2003 Ford E250 Econoline compare with other van configurations?

The E250 Econoline 4.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,670 a year to fuel, the same as the class median of $4,670, and less than 2 of 10 van configurations. The comparison covers all 45 rated van configurations for MY2003, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2003 Ford E250 Econoline different from the 2002 model?

The most efficient configuration stays at 14 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,670. EPA lists 3 configurations for 2003 against 2 configurations for 2002. See the 2002 Ford E250 Econoline for that year.