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Ford’s F-250 Super Duty truck is one of the most durable pickups around. Some F-250 owners report their trucks are still going strong–with 800,000 miles! So, what is considered high mileage for a Ford F-250?

How long does the average Ford Super Duty truck last?

Ford brands its largest pickup trucks, F-250 and up, as Super Duty trucks. According to Motor and Wheels, the average Ford Super Duty lasts 200,000 miles. When properly cared for, a Super Duty is likely to last 600,000 miles. An 800,000 mile Super Duty is much rarer, but some trucks with mileage that high are still on the road.

Promo shot of a Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup truck hauling a trailer loaded with hay bales in front of an old barn.
2021 F-Series Super Duty | Ford Motor Company

One of the reasons many Super Duty trucks do not reach mileage that high is that they rust irreparably beforehand. In wintery states where road crews spread salt on the road. Most Super Duty owners report seeing rust appear on their trucks in about five years.

That said, Ford F-250 Super Duty trucks feature full-frame construction. Therefore, you could conceivably invest in a full frame swap for a rusty truck and continue driving it.

What is considered high mileage for a Ford F-250?

The latest generation of Ford gasoline V8 engines often last well over 100,000 miles before needing a rebuild. This is one of the reasons that the average Super Duty lasts for 200,000 miles. But a gas-powered Ford F-250 with over 200,000 miles is considered high mileage.

A Ford Super Duty F-450 towing a trailer.
Ford F-450 | Ford Media

Ford’s Power Stroke diesel V8 often lasts even longer than its gasoline-powered engines. According to ProSource Diesel, diesel pickup engines sometimes last for 500,000 miles or more. But a diesel-powered Ford F-250 is considered high mileage anywhere over 350,000 miles.

What are warning signs for a high-mileage Ford F-250?

ProSource Diesel warns that the number of miles a Ford F-250 Super Duty will last depends on how it’s been used. An F-250, even with a Power Stroke diesel, pressed into heavy-duty service for years, will need repairs soon.

Old, white Ford F-250 truck parked in the middle of a field under a bright blue sky.
Ford Pickup Truck | Sydney Rae via Unsplash

A high mileage Ford F-250 that’s spent its life towing and hauling may wear out sooner. If you are considering a truck, does it already have a fifth-wheel or gooseneck mounted for a heavy trailer?

A Ford F-250 Super Duty that’s been used as a plow truck suffers the wear and tear of plowing. In addition, you know it has been exposed to salty roads.

Finally, whether diesel or gasoline, if a Ford F-250 has had its engine tuned or modified, it will likely not last as long as a stock truck.

For trucks with any such questionable history, it may be wise to double the mileage on the odometer and then budget to maintain it accordingly. If the truck is still a bargain, you might still consider it.

Worse than a questionable history is a Ford F-250 with no history. If previous owners did not address issues as they arose, several problems may be lurking. So if a high mileage truck has had many owners and does not come with any service records, then buying it is a gamble.

Next, find out the lies your friend with that problematic 6.0-liter Powerstroke is telling themself or see some of the most common issues for high mileage F-250s yourself in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.