If you’re a truck driver, you don’t need to be told that diesel prices can make or break your weekly take-home pay. Even with fuel surcharge programs, every wasted gallon cuts directly into your bottom line. Fortunately, there are several smart and simple ways to improve your fuel efficiency—whether you’re driving OTR, regional, or local.
Here are 8 practical tips to help you get the most from every gallon of diesel.
1. Maintain a Steady Speed
Cruise control is your best friend on long, flat stretches of highway. Speed fluctuations and unnecessary acceleration burn fuel fast. By keeping your RPMs consistent, you avoid wasting energy.
Bonus: The sweet spot for fuel economy in most trucks is between 55–65 MPH.
2. Minimize Idle Time
Idling might keep you comfortable, but it burns through diesel at around half a gallon to a full gallon per hour. If your company allows it, consider using an APU, bunk heater, or inverter for climate control instead of running the engine.
3. Check Tire Pressure Weekly
Underinflated tires create drag and lower MPG. Make it a habit to check pressure during pre-trips. Properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by up to 1–2%, which adds up over thousands of miles.
Invest in a quality tire gauge and check both tractor and trailer.
4. Lighten Your Load
Weight matters. While you can’t change your freight, clearing out unnecessary gear and supplies can help reduce drag and strain. Every 100 pounds trimmed equals better mileage.
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5. Shift Smart
If you’re driving a manual, avoid “racing” through the gears. Smooth, low-RPM shifting and progressive shifting help reduce fuel use and engine wear.
Automatic transmissions have fuel-efficient modes—use them when available.
6. Use Aerodynamic Add-Ons Wisely
Fairings, wheel covers, and trailer skirts can reduce drag significantly. If you own your truck, these upgrades can improve MPG by up to 10% over time, depending on conditions.
7. Plan Smarter Routes
Avoid traffic jams, stop-and-go routes, and excessive hills when possible. GPS routing with fuel economy in mind—not just distance—can shave off both time and fuel costs.
Use apps that offer truck-specific routes and live traffic updates.
8. Fuel Up Strategically
Not all fuel stops are priced equally. Use fuel apps or fleet cards that help you track per-gallon prices, discounts, and tax-saving opportunities. Small differences per gallon can equal hundreds of dollars a month in savings.
Final Thoughts
Diesel may always be a cost of doing business, but wasting fuel doesn’t have to be. Small daily changes to how you drive and how you plan can result in big monthly savings. And when fuel prices are high, every half-mile per gallon counts.
Got a fuel-saving hack that works for you? Drop it in the comments and help your fellow drivers keep rolling smarter, not harder.
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