Ford F-150 vs Ram 1500: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford F-150 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,720 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (F-150 Pickup HEV, 24 MPG combined), against $3,000 for the Ram 1500 (1500, 22 MPG combined). That is $280 a year, or $1,400 over five years.
Both are classed as Standard pickups by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Ford F-150
Lowest fuel cost configuration
F-150 Pickup HEV
$18.13 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
12 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Standard pickups
Ram 1500
Lowest fuel cost configuration
1500
$20.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
10 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford F-150$2,720 a year · $18.13 per 100 mi
- Ram 1500$3,000 a year · $20.00 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$280
Ford F-150 costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,400
$280 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford F-150 | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | F-150 Pickup HEV | 1500 |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 24 MPG (better) | 22 MPG |
| City rating | 23 MPG (better) | 20 MPG |
| Highway rating | 25 MPG | 25 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,720/yr (better) | $3,000/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $18.13 (better) | $20.00 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,720–$6,720 | $3,000–$6,760 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 12 | 10 |
| EPA class | Standard pickups | Standard pickups |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford F-150 | Ram 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 21 MPG · $3,120/yr F-150 Pickup | 21 MPG · $3,190/yr 1500 |
| Hybrid | 24 MPG · $2,720/yr F-150 Pickup HEV | 22 MPG · $3,000/yr 1500 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Ford F-150
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,720 vs $3,000
- Higher combined rating: 24 MPG vs 22 MPG
- Higher city rating: 23 MPG vs 20 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $3,120 vs $3,190
Ram 1500
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Level on: highway rating (25 MPG)
Year by year
| Model year | Ford F-150 | Ram 1500 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 12–24 MPG | $2,720–$6,720 | 12–22 MPG | $3,000–$6,760 |
| 2025 | 12–23 MPG | $2,840–$6,720 | 15–23 MPG | $2,890–$5,430 |
| 2024 | 12–23 MPG | $2,850–$5,470 | 12–23 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2023 | 12–25 MPG | $2,600–$5,470 | 12–24 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2022 | 15–25 MPG | $2,600–$4,380 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2021 | 15–25 MPG | $2,580–$4,380 | 12–26 MPG | $2,890–$6,760 |
| 2020 | 16–24 MPG | $2,960–$4,320 | 17–26 MPG | $2,890–$4,410 |
| 2019 | 16–25 MPG | $2,930–$4,290 | 17–23 MPG | $2,900–$4,420 |
| 2018 | 16–25 MPG | $2,910–$4,290 | 14–23 MPG | $3,310–$5,140 |
| 2017 | 16–22 MPG | $3,020–$4,080 | 15–23 MPG | $3,310–$4,850 |
| 2016 | 16–21 MPG | $3,040–$4,080 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,860 |
| 2015 | 17–22 MPG | $3,010–$3,830 | 15–24 MPG | $3,140–$4,850 |
| 2014 | 13–19 MPG | $3,410–$4,960 | 15–23 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 |
| 2013 | 13–19 MPG | $3,450–$4,960 | 15–21 MPG | $3,140–$4,840 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford F-150 or the Ram 1500?
The Ford F-150 is cheaper: about $2,720 a year against $3,000 for the Ram 1500, a difference of $280 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford F-150 save over five years?
About $1,400 ($280 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford F-150 or the Ram 1500?
The Ford F-150 is rated 24 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Ram 1500. City: 23 MPG vs 20 MPG. Highway: 25 MPG vs 25 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard pickups.
Explore these cars
- Ford F-150: ratings, trims and every model year
- Ram 1500: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford F-150: all configurations
- 2026 Ram 1500: all configurations
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