Trucking is a major enterprise in the United States, accounting for nearly 6% of the country’s gross domestic product. The industry carries out many vital functions, including delivering goods across the country, providing jobs, paying taxes and keeping costs down by maintaining competitive prices. However, one of the biggest challenges facing trucking is improving efficiency to reduce costs and make it easier for companies to compete on price.
As a truck driver or fleet manager, fuel consumption and operational expenses are likely at the top of your list of concerns. Fortunately, you can improve fuel economy in a semi truck with simple driving habits and routine maintenance schedule changes.
How Many Miles Per Gallon (mpg) Does a Semi Truck Get?
A semi truck gets 6.5 miles per gallon, on average. The exact fuel economy a semi truck receives varies depending on the weight of the load, how fast the truck is going and the terrain. A fully loaded semi will get less than a half-empty one, meaning the more weight in your load, the more fuel you’ll use per mile.
However, new efficiency standards now require trucks made after 2014 to get at least 7.2 mpg. Please note that this number depicts an average — some trucks can get significantly better than that, while others may not fare so well.
10 States With Highest mpg for Trucking
The United States has a wide range of driving conditions. From Colorado’s mountainous Interstate 70 to the smooth roads spanning Florida, recent studies prove that truck drivers must be prepared for anything.
A testament to the state’s dense population and excellent infrastructure, Massachusetts has some of the best conditions for truck drivers, as seen through its average mpg rating of 6.37. Delaware and Wisconsin follow closely behind with average mpg rates of 6.35 each, slightly higher than Mississippi’s — which also boasts an impressive average semi truck mpg of 6.34.
Tied for fifth place, Montana and South Carolina are also worth mentioning with their 6.33 mpg ratings, while New Hampshire and Maryland teeter on the edge of the top 10 list with mpg averages of 6.29.
10 States With Lowest mpg for Trucking
Average truck mpg is an essential factor when deciding where to drive. When looking to go easy on your engine and fuel tank, you’ll also want to know which states have the lowest average semi truck miles per gallon so that you can take the appropriate precautions.
According to the same data regarding state-by-state average fuel efficiency for large commercial trucks, Texas reigns as the lowest-rated state, where the average mpg for trucks is a measly 5.6 mpg. Washington comes in at 5.76, North Dakota at 5.78 and New York at 5.82. California has some of the most stringent regulations on emissions and fuel efficiency standards, which will hopefully raise its average mileage of only 5.85 mpg and placement as the fifth worst for trucking fuel efficiency.
Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Michigan all hover at 6th place with an average of 5.86 mpg, followed by Vermont’s 5.89 mpg rating and Ohio’s 5.94 mpg status.
7 Tips for Improving Semi Truck mpg
When you have a truck that needs to get from point A to point B as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible, you’ll often wonder how to improve your mpg. Although there’s no magic formula for increasing your truck’s efficiency, you have plenty of options for making your journey more fuel-efficient. Seven tips for improving your semi truck’s mpg include:
1. Reduce Your Miles Per Hour (mph) on the Highway
Many drivers are unaware of how much speeding affects their fuel efficiency, but it’s actually a significant factor.
One of the easiest ways to improve your semi truck’s mpg on the highway is to reduce your speed. As you might imagine, the faster you travel, the more fuel it takes to get there. If you drive at 55 mph instead of 65, you could save up to 20% on fuel costs alone!
When driving at high speeds, your engine has to work harder to maintain its pace. This strain increases your engine’s workload and requires more fuel to keep it going. While driving faster makes your engine less efficient, it also stresses the rest of your vehicle — from tires to transmission — and can cause other problems down the road.
2. Cut Down on Idle Time
Idle time is the time your semi truck spends in gear without moving. The length of time you spend idling can vary greatly depending on the conditions of your drive, but the average long-haul semi truck driver spends about 1,800 hours out of the year idling while waiting for traffic to clear or for a load to get off their trailer. To consume less fuel during these times, consider using:
- Auxiliary power units: Auxiliary power units function as power generators and allow you to run your vehicle’s engine while parked to charge the battery. They can be helpful if you’re waiting at a weigh station or powering other accessories while on the road.
- Electric parking spots: Electrified parking spots are another excellent option for improving your semi truck’s mpg. When you park at an electric charging station, you can plug in and charge up while your truck is parked, making it easier to maintain consistent levels of performance throughout the day while also helping improve your semi truck’s mpg.
- Automatic engine start and stop systems: These systems automatically turn off an engine when it is not needed, such as when waiting at a stoplight or sitting in traffic. Then, they automatically restart it when needed again. This system saves money in fuel costs and reduces emissions from idling vehicles.
3. Consider Your Load and Hauling Weight
Trucks that carry heavier or unbalanced loads usually have lower fuel efficiency than those carrying lighter loads. One way to increase your fuel efficiency is by loading your truck correctly and balancing the weight of the load with the size of your truck’s engine and axle location. Doing so will ensure your vehicle will stay within its capacity limits.
4. Utilize Cruise Control
Cruise control is a vehicle feature that allows you to set a speed limit for your truck. When you’re driving, your semi will keep its current speed and maintain that speed until you retake control of the gas pedal. Semi truck engines and transmissions adjust the fuel flow for optimal performance. Cruise control takes some of the pressure off both systems, allowing them to work together at their best — and making them more efficient than they would be otherwise!
By keeping your truck moving at a steady speed, you can reduce the unnecessary acceleration and deceleration your engine has to perform, meaning your engine will use less fuel per mile than if you constantly change speeds. While cruise control does not improve fuel efficiency, it allows for more accurate driving conditions and often reduces fuel consumption on highways without inclines or declines.
5. Balance Your RPM to Reduce Engine Speed
Your revolutions per minute (rpm) is a measurement of your semi truck’s internal combustion engine. The higher the rpm, the more fuel you use, and the harder your engine has to work.
Drivers can save fuel by keeping their rpm low whenever feasible. For example, when cruising at highway speeds, you should keep your rpm as low as possible without sacrificing power or acceleration. The most efficient engine speeds oscillate between 1,250 and 1,350 rpm, so you want to keep your engine revs up there. However, every 100 rpm drop yields 1% fuel savings, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your rpm to ensure you remain in the sweet spot.
6. Check Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is one of the easiest ways to improve your semi truck’s fuel economy. After driving at high speeds through a region with many hills or through areas with severe temperature drops, you’ll want to verify that your tires are properly inflated.
Tire pressure can affect the aerodynamics of your semi truck, which can contribute to fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires will help your truck perform better and more efficiently. The less air in your tires, the more drag they’ll create on the road, which means higher fuel consumption and less power for acceleration and braking.
7. Consider a Fuel Card
If you’re looking to save money on fuel, consider a fuel card.
Fuel cards for trucking fleets are similar to credit and debit cards, but they operate uniquely. They give you the convenience of using your funds at the pump, so there’s no need to carry large amounts of cash or wait for customer payments. They also give you flexibility, allowing you to get fuel advances when needed. In addition, fuel cards offer discounted fuel prices and rebates that can save you even more money.
With a fuel card, you can track purchases in real-time so that you always know exactly how much money is left on your card. It also assists with reporting requirements under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
Grow With Porter Freight Funding
At Porter Freight Funding, we believe that no trucker should have to worry about their bills — and we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of services to make your life easier and get you back on the road faster, including fuel cards and financing options to keep your business running smoothly.
Whether you’re just starting or already running a successful business, we’re here for you. Apply now to see if you qualify for the many benefits fuel factoring can bring your business. For other questions, contact us online today!
