Pickup trucks are a popular choice for those needing the space and power to take on large loads, tow heavy items, and traverse tough terrain. But how much does it cost per mile to operate a pickup truck? The answer depends on several factors.
Maintenance Costs: Maintenance costs are one of the biggest expenses when it comes to operating a pickup truck. Regular maintenance includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, spark plug replacements, and more.
Depending on the type of truck and how often it is driven, these costs can range from $500-$1,500 per year.
Fuel Costs: Fuel is another major expense for pickup truck owners. Depending on the size of the engine and overall vehicle weight, fuel economy can vary greatly from one vehicle to the next.
This means that owners should pay close attention to the estimated miles per gallon (MPG) of their particular pickup in order to get an accurate picture of their fueling costs over time. On average, pickup trucks get between 15-20 MPG with some more efficient models achieving as much as 25 MPG.
Insurance Costs: Insurance premiums for pickup trucks tend to be higher than other vehicles due to their size and power. Rates vary widely depending on the driver’s age, driving record, location, and other factors.
On average though, insurance rates for pickups tend to range between $1,200-$2,000 per year.
Total Costs: When all of these factors are taken into account (maintenance costs + fuel costs + insurance costs), it’s easy to see that owning a pickup truck can be an expensive endeavor. The total cost per mile will depend largely on how often the vehicle is driven and what type of maintenance is needed over time but generally speaking it’s safe to say that operating a pickup truck will likely cost between $0.50-$1.00 per mile.
Conclusion: Owning and operating a pickup truck comes with significant ongoing expenses in terms of maintenance costs, fuel costs and insurance premiums; all of which can add up quickly over time resulting in an average cost per mile between $0.00 depending on usage and upkeep requirements.
