American drivers are paying $5 to $6 per gallon for gas and diesel in several states for the first time in years.
Gas prices have risen significantly since the Iran war began Feb. 28. America’s favorite pickup truck, the Ford F-150, has become increasingly expensive to refuel as a result of skyrocketing costs at the pump.
Here’s how much it costs to refuel the full-size pickup truck in 2026 versus its refueling cost just a year ago in the spring of 2025, based on fuel price data from AAA.
How Much Does It Cost to Refuel a Ford F-150 in 2026?
The 2026 Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew (four full-size doors) has a 36-gallon gas tank and its base engine (2.7-liter V6) runs on Regular unleaded 87-octane fuel. AAA’s current national average gas price for Regular gasoline stands at $4.50.
Oklahoma has the nation’s most affordable Regular gas prices at $3.94 a gallon, while California has the most expensive Regular gas prices at $6.15 a gallon.
On average, it costs $162 to refuel the Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew based on AAA’s national average gas price of $4.50 multiplied by the truck’s tank size of 36 gallons. But the actual refueling cost for the F-150 can range from $141.84 in Oklahoma to a whopping $221.40 in California, based on average gas prices in those states.
America’s favorite truck is especially pricey to refuel because of recent gas price increases. F-150 owners were paying much less to gas up their full-size four-door pickup trucks in 2025.
How Much Did the Ford F-150’s Total Fuel Cost Increase Year-Over-Year?
According to gas price data from AAA, the national average gas price was just $3.13 a year ago. It cost roughly $112.68 to refuel the Ford F-150 XL SuperCrew’s gas tank last May.
The national average cost to refuel America’s most popular full-size pickup truck has risen by $49.32 year-over-year. National average gas prices increased by $1.37 a gallon year-over-year.
F-150 truck owners with 36-gallon models are experiencing fuel cost price hikes of nearly $50 per full tank because of the military conflict in Iran. While every driver is experiencing pain at the pump, full-size pickup truck and SUV owners are more exposed to high overall fuel costs because of their tank sizes and fuel economy.
Should You Still Buy a Ford F-150 in 2026?
Ford’s full-size truck model may cost a lot to refuel because of rising gas prices, but it still checks several boxes for American drivers and remains one of the most competitive models in its segment.
The 2026 Ford F-150 starts at $36,274 thanks to Ford’s employee pricing program. It uses a standard 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 to produce 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The F-150 achieves 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is decent for its segment.
Edmunds calls the F-150 the best large truck of 2026. It’s known for its versatility, many cab and powertrain options and practicality. Full-size pickup truck models like the F-150 may be expensive to refuel, but they are often powerful workhorses that offer unparalleled utility for American drivers.
Charles Singh is an Autos Connect Reporter for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
