Pickup trucks these days are built to last. So much so that it’s not unusual to come across a pickup truck with 200,000-miles or more on its odometer. But does that mean every truck will reach 200,000-miles? Not necessarily. Let’s talk about many miles a pickup truck can last.

What is the average lifespan of a pickup truck?

Not too long ago, iSee Cars set out to determine which car models have the highest percentage of cars reaching 200,000-miles. After analyzing 11.8 million cars sold in 2020, iSee Cars found that 1.0% of all vehicles sold reached 200,000-miles. But when it came to pickups specifically? iSee Cars determined that 1.9% of pickups sold in 2020 reached that 200,000-mile milestone. 

“On average, pickup trucks are almost twice as likely to reach 200,000 miles with a 1.9 percent average for the segment, which is nearly double the average for all vehicles,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “Pickup trucks are commonly used as work vehicles and are likely to accrue more miles than a typical passenger car while often benefitting from more consistent preventative maintenance and necessary repairs.”

These three pickups lasted 200,000-miles or more, according to iSee Cars

After analyzing which light-duty trucks are the most likely to reach 200,000-miles, iSee Cars determined that six pickups ranked above the 1.9% average for the pickup segment. The Toyota Tundra snagged the top spot as the longest-lasting pickup. According to iSee Cars, 3.7% of Tundra models sold in 2020 reached 200,000-miles. 

The Honda Ridgeline managed to land in the second spot on iSee Cars’ list, with 3.4% of models sold in 2020 surpassing 200,000-miles. iSee Cars also determined that 2.8% of Toyota Tacoma models sold in 2020 reached 200,000-miles or more. 

“Known for being indestructible, the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra offer trademark Toyota quality and reliability,” explained Brauer. “The Honda Ridgeline’s unique unibody design gives it the function of a pickup truck with the ride comfort and fuel efficiency of a crossover SUV, making it one of the most flexible, multi-purpose vehicles you can buy.”

How to make your truck last 200,000-miles or more

Now, you can’t really force your pickup truck to last 200,000-miles or more. But, there are some things you can do to help it reach that point. If you’re buying a new pickup, Consumer Reports recommends choosing a model that’s known for being reliable. 

In addition to choosing a reliable pickup truck, Consumer Reports also suggests keeping up with your new pickup’s regularly scheduled maintenance needs. Fortunately, you should be able to find the maintenance schedule in your truck’s owner’s manual.

Don’t skimp on parts or fluids either. Consumer Reports explains that while doing so could save you money in the short term, it could end up costing you in the long run. Instead, Consumer Reports recommends only using parts and fluids that meet your truck’s manufacturer specifications.