My First Ram 5.7L Hemi, and Probably My Last, This Thing Drinks Fuel Like There’s No Tomorrow, and I Don’t Step On It, This HOG Only Gets 220 Miles Per Tank

With the legendary Ram V8 taking its final bow in 2024, owners expect raw power, but is this level of thirst normal for a gentle driver, or is Marco-Gino facing a serious mechanical defect?

In my research into the 2024 Ram 1500's real-world performance, I uncovered a startling claim from owner Marco-Gino Brown: his 5.7L Hemi gets a dismal 220 miles per tank despite his conservative, low-speed driving habits. My investigation seeks to determine if Brown's 'gas-guzzling HOG' is a mechanical defect or an alarming characteristic of the final V8 models. How about your Ram's fuel mileage?

The EPA Estimates and Real-World City Driving Gap

If you are one of the lucky few who managed to secure a 2024 Ram 1500 with the legendary 5.7-liter Hemi V8 before its discontinuation, you likely bought it for the towing capability and that distinct exhaust note, not its fuel efficiency. However, new owners are quickly discovering that the gap between EPA estimates and real-world city driving can be a financially painful reality check, especially during the engine's break-in period.

A recent discussion started by a new owner in a popular social media group highlights the shock many drivers feel when their range-to-empty drops precipitously in stop-and-go traffic. The owner is questioning whether his low mileage is a mechanical defect or simply the cost of doing business with a classic American V8.

The Owner's Complaint

Marco-Gino Brown on the Dodge Ram 1500 Owners Facebook page says,

"This is my first RAM ever, a 2024 5.7L Hemi, and probably my last. Dammmm, this thing drinks that fuel like there is no tomorrow. I get like 220 miles per tank in this HOG!! I'm not stepping on this at all. I bring my son to school and back, and maybe go fishing at the end of a tank. I've driven 221 miles and 10 hours on the timer. I don't drive more than 75 mph on the highway, and I average 60 mph. In town, maybe 25 to 35 mph."

The Reality of the Hemi in the City

The numbers Marco-Gino is seeing are startling at first glance, but they tell a very specific story about how heavy trucks operate in low-speed environments. When a vehicle weighing over 5,000 pounds is driven primarily between 25 and 35 mph, the transmission rarely gets a chance to shift into its higher, more efficient overdrive gears. 

The engine spends the majority of its time working against inertia to get the mass moving from a standstill, which is the most fuel-intensive activity an internal combustion engine performs. While the 5.7L Hemi is a masterpiece of power, it relies on momentum and highway cruising to achieve reasonable efficiency numbers. In a school drop-off line or strictly urban environment, that efficiency evaporates.

Furthermore, we must look at the "timer" aspect of his complaint. Driving 221 miles over 10 hours averages out to be 22 miles per hour. That indicates a significant amount of idling or crawling traffic. Idling is a silent killer of fuel economy because the engine is consuming gas while the odometer records zero distance, mathematically destroying the average miles per gallon. 

For owners transitioning from smaller SUVs or trucks, the thirst of a V8 truck in these specific conditions can be alarming, sometimes leading to regrets or abrupt trades. I covered a similar sentiment regarding buyer's remorse in my story, "I Just Traded My 2025 Ram 10K In With Major Electrical Issues, For This 2023 Ford F-150 With 38K Miles, I Think the Older F-150 Is a More Reliable Truck," where expectations did not align with the ownership reality.

Other Owners Chime In

Marco-Gino is not alone in his frustration, as the comment section quickly filled with fellow Ram owners echoing similar concerns about abysmal city mileage. Many users noted that their numbers look identical when they stick strictly to surface streets, with some noting that winter-blend fuel and remote-start usage further degrade those figures.

Why Ram Dropped the 5.7L Hemi (And Why It Could Return)

• Emissions Compliance: The primary driver behind dropping the V8 was Stellantis's need to meet increasingly strict Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. A massive naturally aspirated V8 struggles to meet the fleet-wide efficiency targets set by federal regulators, compared with smaller, forced-induction engines.
• The Hurricane Strategy: Stellantis bet the farm on the new 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six "Hurricane" engine. The manufacturer claims it offers more horsepower and torque with lower emissions, allowing it to streamline its global engine platforms and phase out the older Hemi architecture.
• Manufacturing Costs: maintaining production lines for the Hemi while simultaneously ramping up EV and Inline-6 production is costly. Consolidating engine options enables a leaner manufacturing process, which is crucial as the automotive industry pivots toward electrification.
• The Potential Return: Despite the logic for dropping it, the Hemi could return due to overwhelming customer demand and a dip in sales. Truck buyers are traditionalists who trust the reliability of a V8 over the complexity of a turbo system. If Ram continues to lose market share to competitors who still offer V8s, they may be forced to bring the Hemi back as a niche option or "crate" solution to win back their core audience.

The "Break-In" Period and Driving Habits

Looking deeper into Marco-Gino's story, there is another factor at play: the break-in period. A brand-new engine has tighter tolerances and higher internal friction than one with 10,000 miles on it. It is widely documented that Hemi engines tend to "loosen up" and see a slight bump in fuel economy after the first few oil changes. However, no amount of break-in will fix the physics of his commute. Short trips where the engine does not reach optimal operating temperature for extended periods cause the fuel management system to run "rich," burning more gas to keep the engine stable.

Other members of the thread offered validation. One user, let's refer to him as Mike, noted that he barely scrapes by with 11 to 12 mpg when he is strictly doing city driving. He mentioned that adding aggressive all-terrain tires and a leveling kit further reduced his mileage, a reminder that modifications can have unintended consequences. 

We see how sensitive these modern trucks are to changes in airflow and parameters in my report, 2026 Ram Rebel Owner Says, "I Installed a K&N Filter, and One Test Drive It Threw an Engine Light, and Won't Go Past 15 MPH, It's Crazy, All I Did Was Put the Filter On", which details how a simple filter swap caused the truck's computer to panic. The modern Ram is a finely tuned system, and disrupting that balance—whether through city driving habits or aftermarket parts—yields immediate negative feedback.

The Verdict on Ram Ownership

The situation Marco-Gino faces is the classic dilemma of modern truck ownership. We want the capability of a tank but the efficiency of a crossover. The 2024 Ram 1500 5.7L is a fantastic machine, arguably the peak of the Hemi's development cycle. It offers proven reliability over two decades. However, that reliability comes at the cost of fuel consumption, which feels outdated in 2025. Owners need to adjust their expectations. If you are buying a truck to drive 3 miles to school and back at 25 mph, you are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The tool works, but it is overkill, and the energy expenditure reflects that.

Advice For Ram Hemi Buyers and Owners

For those considering a switch or worried about the longevity of their current investment, it is vital to remember that while gas is expensive, major repairs to unproven technology can be even more costly. The Hemi is thirsty, but it is known. As Ram transitions to the Hurricane engine, we are entering a new era of complexity. High-pressure turbos and complex cooling systems bring their own risks. 

We have seen what happens when complex systems age without a safety net, as I detailed in: I Passed on the Expensive Warranty For a Used 2019 Ram, 7,000 Miles Later the Engine Blew, and Not Getting It Was a Huge Mistake. The gas bill might be high now, but the Hemi's simplicity compared to the incoming tech might save money in the long run.

Ultimately, Marco-Gino's truck..

It is likely operating exactly as designed for the conditions to which it is subject. The 220-mile range is painful, but it accurately reflects "severe duty" usage. Owners should consider an extended highway drive to reset their average and verify that the truck can hit 18-20 mpg when allowed to stretch its legs. If the city numbers remain a dealbreaker, the only solution may be a change in vehicle type, because a 5.7L V8 will never be a city commuter. 

Just make sure you protect your investment regardless of the engine choice. As I wrote in I Was Shocked When the Dealer Told Me $10K To Fix My Ram 1500 Limited's Air Suspension, Lucky For Me I Got the Extended Warranty, $200 Out of Pocket, Where Do I Sign, the costs of modern truck ownership go far beyond just what you put in the fuel tank.

How About You?

What fuel mileage are you getting with your Ram 5.7L Hemi? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role with every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist, test-driving new vehicles, which equipped me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Marco-Gino Brown