If you're eyeing a new heavy-duty rig, checking out the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg is usually the first thing you do to see if your wallet can handle the weekly gas station visits. Let's be honest: nobody buys a three-quarter-ton truck expecting it to sip fuel like a hybrid sedan. You're buying it because you have stuff to move, trailers to pull, and work to get done. But even so, knowing whether you're going to get 8 mpg or 15 mpg makes a massive difference over a year of driving.
The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is a legendary engine, but it's also a big, thirsty beast. Because the Ram 2500 falls into the heavy-duty category, the EPA doesn't actually provide official fuel economy ratings for it. That leaves a lot of potential owners scratching their heads and scouring forums to find out what people are actually seeing on their dashboards.
What Kind of Mileage Should You Really Expect?
When you're looking at the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg, the "average" number most drivers report is somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 to 15 miles per gallon for mixed driving. If you're doing strictly city driving—stoplight to stoplight in a 7,000-pound truck—don't be surprised if that number dips down into the 10 or 11 range. It takes a lot of energy to get that much metal moving from a standstill.
On the flip side, if you're cruising on the highway at a steady 65 mph without a trailer, you might see 16 or even 17 mpg. Some drivers with a very light foot have reported hitting 18 mpg on long, flat stretches, but that's definitely the exception rather than the rule. The moment you start pushing 75 or 80 mph, the aerodynamics (or lack thereof) of a giant truck will cause those numbers to tumble pretty quickly.
The Role of the 8-Speed Transmission
One reason the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg is better than it was a decade ago is the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. In the old days, heavy-duty gas trucks often had five or six speeds, which meant the engine was often screaming at high RPMs or bogged down in the wrong gear.
The eight-speed allows the 6.4L HEMI to stay in its "sweet spot" more often. It has a very low first gear to help you get moving and two overdrive gears to keep the RPMs low while you're cruising. It's a smooth-shifting unit that definitely helps squeeze every bit of distance out of a gallon of 89-octane gas.
How Towing Changes Everything
If you're looking up the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg, you probably plan on hooking something up to the hitch. This is where the fuel economy takes the biggest hit. When you're pulling a heavy travel trailer or a flatbed full of equipment, the "normal" rules of fuel economy go out the window.
Most owners report getting between 7 and 10 mpg while towing. If you're pulling a massive sail of a camper into a headwind, don't be shocked to see single digits. This is the main reason people often debate between the gas 6.4L and the Cummins diesel. The diesel will almost always get better mileage while towing, but you have to weigh that against the much higher upfront cost of the diesel engine and the higher price of diesel fuel.
Axle Ratios Matter More Than You Think
When you're configuring a Ram 2500, you usually have a choice between axle ratios, typically the 3.73 or the 4.10. If you care deeply about your 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg, you'll want to pay attention to this.
The 3.73 ratio is the standard and is better for fuel economy because it keeps the engine spinning slower at highway speeds. The 4.10 ratio provides more "grunt" for getting heavy loads moving and is great for technical off-roading or max towing, but it will definitely cost you about 1-2 mpg on the highway because the engine has to spin faster to maintain the same speed.
The MDS System: Cylinder Deactivation
Ram uses something called the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on the 6.4L HEMI. This tech shuts down four of the eight cylinders when you're cruising under light loads to save fuel. You'll usually see an "ECO" light pop up on the dash when this happens.
It's a cool feature that helps the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg stay respectable on the highway. However, the moment you hit a slight incline or tap the gas to pass someone, all eight cylinders kick back in instantly. It's seamless, but its effectiveness really depends on your driving style. If you're an aggressive driver, the MDS will rarely engage, and your fuel bill will reflect that.
Gas vs. Diesel: The MPG Debate
It's impossible to talk about the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg without mentioning the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel. The diesel variant will easily get 17-20 mpg on the highway and stay in the low teens while towing.
So why get the gas engine? It comes down to the math. The Cummins is a roughly $10,000 upgrade. You also have to deal with DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), more expensive oil changes, and generally higher fuel prices at the pump. For a lot of people who don't tow heavy loads every single day, the 6.4L gas engine is the more economical choice overall, even if the "per-mile" fuel cost is higher. The gas engine is also lighter, which actually gives the truck a higher payload capacity than the diesel in many configurations.
Tips for Getting Better Mileage
If you already own one or you're about to pull the trigger, there are a few ways to keep the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg from hurting your feelings.
- Watch your speed: The difference between 65 mph and 75 mph can be as much as 2-3 mpg. These trucks are shaped like bricks; the faster you go, the harder the air pushes back.
- Check your tires: Keeping your tires at the recommended PSI is huge. Also, if you swap the factory tires for aggressive, oversized mud-terrains, expect your mileage to drop instantly.
- Easy on the remote start: It's nice to get into a warm truck in the winter, but idling is the easiest way to get 0 mpg.
- Keep it stock: Lift kits and level kits look great, but they ruin the truck's aerodynamics and add weight, both of which are enemies of fuel economy.
The Verdict: Is the 6.4L HEMI Worth the Gas Bill?
At the end of the day, the 2024 ram 2500 6.4 l mpg isn't going to win any environmental awards, but it's very competitive for its class. You're getting a truck that is incredibly capable, sounds fantastic, and is generally easier and cheaper to maintain than a complex diesel engine.
If you're doing a mix of daily driving, weekend projects, and the occasional tow, the 6.4L HEMI is a solid middle ground. You just have to go into it with your eyes open. If you can live with 13-14 mpg on average, you're going to love this truck. It's a workhorse through and through, and while it likes to drink, it puts that fuel to good use by providing some of the best towing and hauling performance in the heavy-duty segment.
Just remember to keep an eye on that "ECO" light and maybe keep the cruise control set to a reasonable speed—your bank account will thank you.