What Van Gets The Best Gas Mileage for Vanlife?

If you have decided that the idea of living life on the road and on your own terms is what you want to do, the next question is- what comes next? One of the most impactful decisions that you can make when embarking on your van life journey is choosing the vehicle you are going to live in. You need to consider how affordable it will be to operate your new home, which is why fuel economy is so important.

Saving money on fuel is the equivalent of reducing your rent. You need fuel to get anywhere when you are living on the road. So, making the most out of every drop will allow you to travel for longer and experience more adventures. Here are some fuel-efficient vans that you can consider for your van conversion.

Dodge Ram ProMaster Van Gas Mileage

The ProMaster is designed to be a workhorse and is one of the leading vans on the market for commercial use. This means that it will be perfect for conversion into a home on wheels. Its cargo space comes in at 462 cubic feet and it provides decent mileage. If you are going to spend most of your time driving in cities, it offers up to 25 miles per gallon, but it is far less efficient on the highway at 19 miles per gallon. You can choose between a four-cylinder and six-cylinder engine and between gas and diesel.

Related: Ram ProMaster Van Gas Mileage (more in-depth stats by model)

Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van Gas Mileage

The Mercedes Sprinter comes in four and six-cylinder options and its diesel engine is one of the most fuel-efficient options in its class, with a combined mileage range of up to 22 miles per gallon. It performs a little bit better on the highway than the ProMaster, so that’s something to consider if you’re planning to spend time traveling long distances.

Related: Mercedes Sprinter Van Gas Mileage (more in-depth stats by model)

Ford Transit Van Gas Mileage

Ford’s EcoBoost engines are powerful and fuel-efficient. If you purchase a Transit Connect model, you could benefit from a combined fuel economy of over 25 miles per gallon. For city driving, the auto-shutoff feature turns the engine off while you’re not moving and immediately fires it up when you release the brake. This helps you make the most out of each tank of gas. For more power, the Ford Transit comes with an optional 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine, which has a combined fuel rating of 21 miles per gallon.

Related: Ford Transit Van Gas Mileage (more in-depth stats by model)

What Else Impacts Fuel Economy?

When you convert any van into a home, there are special considerations that you need to keep in mind. Any changes to the structure of the vehicle, including adding larger tires or converting the roof will change how the vehicle performs on the road. If you add weight to the vehicle, raise its roof or add items such as roof racks, this can impact your fuel economy.

There are some things that you can do to get more mileage out of your vehicle, such as regularly rotating your tires, changing the oil at recommended intervals, and keeping up with maintenance. Check your tire pressure regularly because overinflated or under-inflated tires can reduce your van’s efficiency.

Find Help Planning Your Van Conversion

It’s easy to feel lost and frustrated when you want to do something but don’t know where to begin. It pays to allow people who have experience in van life conversions on your side. Darien Overland can help you with the entire process, from choosing a fuel-efficient van to convert to deciding what features and options are most important to you. Reach out to us today to learn more and make your van life dreams a reality.