A single truck running 10,000 miles a month at 6.5 MPG burns roughly 1,540 gallons. Improving effective fuel economy by half a mile per gallon saves over a hundred gallons a month, real money that comes mostly from planning, not from the pedal.
Kill deadhead first
Empty miles are the most expensive miles you will ever run. Booking the next load before you deliver the current one, and preferring destinations with strong outbound freight, does more for fuel cost than any driving technique.
Buy fuel by price, not by convenience
- Plan fuel stops around state fuel tax differences along the route
- Use your fuel card network's discounted locations instead of the nearest exit
- Buy enough to reach the next cheap stop rather than always filling up
Route for terrain and traffic, not just distance
The shortest route through mountain grades and metro congestion often burns more than a longer highway route at steady speed. Time-of-day planning around major metros protects both fuel and your hours.
The basics still pay
- Tire pressure checked every trip, under-inflation quietly costs MPG
- Steady cruise speed and reduced idling
- Trailer gap and aero equipment maintained rather than ignored