10 Ways To Improve Semi Truck Fuel Economy

The average semi truck in the United States gets about 6.9 miles per gallon, while the fleets that run the technologies below averaged 7.77, according to NACFE. With diesel at $5.967 a gallon, according to EIA, every tenth of a mile per gallon on a 100,000-mile truck is worth roughly $1,250 a year. Here are ten ways to move that number, and at the end, the fleet management software that shows you fuel per truck so you can tell which ones worked.

1. Use truck-specific GPS routing to avoid traffic congestion and wasted time idling.

This is especially useful for truckers who want to make the most efficient use of their time and resources. By avoiding traffic, truckers can improve their fuel economy and get to their destination faster.

2. Keep your truck well-maintained and tuned-up according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Keeping your truck well-maintained and tuned-up is one of the best ways to improve fuel economy. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you can ensure that your truck is running at its peak efficiency. This will help you save money on fuel costs and get to your destination faster.

3. Use low-rolling resistance tires designed specifically for trucks.

Using low-rolling resistance tires designed for trucks can improve fuel economy in a number of ways. First, these tires have been specifically designed to reduce rolling resistance, which means they require less energy to move. This results in improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. Additionally, these tires tend to be more durable and last longer than traditional tires, which means you'll save money on replacement costs over time. Finally, low-rolling resistance tires can help improve your truck's handling and braking, making it safer to drive.

4. Reduce excess weight by removing unnecessary cargo and equipment.

One way to improve fuel economy is by reducing the amount of weight your truck is carrying. This can be done by removing any unnecessary cargo or equipment that is on board. Every extra pound that your truck is carrying reduces fuel economy and puts unnecessary strain on the engine. By removing any unnecessary weight, you can improve fuel economy and make your truck safer and easier to handle.

5. Improve aerodynamics by adding fairings and other truck-specific equipment.

Adding fairings and other truck-specific equipment can help improve aerodynamics and, as a result, fuel economy. Fairings are designed to smooth out the airflow around the truck, which reduces drag and improves fuel economy. Other truck-specific equipment, such as aerodynamic side skirts, can also help reduce drag and improve fuel economy. By improving aerodynamics, these additions can help improve fuel economy by a significant margin.

6. Drive at the posted speed limit or slightly below to reduce wind resistance and fuel consumption.

One way to improve fuel efficiency is by driving at the posted speed limit or slightly below. This reduces wind resistance, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. Aerodynamic drag rises with the square of speed, so the same truck burns noticeably more fuel per mile at 70 than at 62, which is why fleets that govern speed do it for fuel first. It also gets the driver there safely and on time.

7. Use cruise control whenever possible to maintain a consistent speed.

By using cruise control to maintain a consistent speed, truckers can improve their fuel efficiency in a number of ways. First, this reduces the amount of time that the truck's engine is idling, which improves fuel economy. Additionally, it helps to reduce the truck's overall wear and tear, which can lead to improved fuel economy over time. Finally, using cruise control can help truckers avoid speeding, which can lead to costly fines and decreased fuel efficiency. By using cruise control whenever possible, truckers can improve their fuel efficiency and save money on fuel costs.

8. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking whenever possible.

Sudden acceleration and braking are two of the main ways that truckers can decrease their fuel economy. When accelerating, truckers should do so gradually to avoid wasting fuel. Likewise, when braking, truckers should brake slowly and smoothly to avoid decreasing their fuel economy. Avoiding sudden acceleration and braking also reduces wear and tear on the truck, which keeps the engine and the brakes in the condition that fuel economy depends on.

9. Pre-plan your trips to avoid making multiple stops and starting from cold.

Pre-planning your trips to avoid making multiple stops and starting from cold can help with fuel economy for truck drivers. When making multiple stops, truckers have to start and stop the truck multiple times, which can decrease fuel economy. Similarly, starting from cold (i.e. when the engine is cold) can also decrease fuel economy.

10. Use truck stop showers and other amenities to avoid idling while waiting in line.

Truck stop showers and other amenities can help avoid idling while waiting in line, which can help improve fuel economy for truck drivers. When truckers idle their engines, they are burning fuel needlessly. A heavy-duty truck at idle burns about 0.8 gallon of fuel an hour, according to Argonne National Laboratory, so an hour in a shower line at $5.967 diesel is close to five dollars gone. By using truck stop showers and other amenities, truckers can avoid idling their engines and improve their fuel economy. Additionally, this will help to reduce wear and tear on the truck, which can lead to improved fuel economy over time.

Related reading: how a TMS can help you save on fleet fuel costs, how trucking companies can combat rising diesel fuel prices, and fleet management software that tracks fuel per truck through its fuel card and telematics integrations.

Semi truck fuel economy questions

What is the average fuel economy of a semi truck?

About 6.9 miles per gallon for the United States national average; the fleets in NACFE's study, which run the aerodynamic, tire, idling and speed practices above, averaged 7.77 in 2023. The gap between those two numbers is the size of the prize on this page.

How much fuel does a semi truck use idling?

About 0.8 gallon an hour for a heavy-duty truck, according to Argonne National Laboratory. At $5.967 diesel, that is close to five dollars an hour, which is why fleets that measure idle time per truck through telematics usually find it before they find anything else.

Does speed really change semi truck fuel economy?

Yes. Aerodynamic drag rises with the square of speed, so the same truck burns noticeably more fuel per mile at 70 than at 62, and the tractor's aerodynamics and the trailer's side skirts do less for it at the higher speed. Fleets that govern speed do it for fuel first and safety second, and they measure the result per truck.

See Fleet Manager, TransPlus's TMS for asset-based carriers, which lands fuel card transactions against the truck that bought them.