SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F09-042 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov

Reducing Highway Speed

A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies

Energy

and

Fuel Savings

Gallons Saved 

= 

1,292 gallons

Increase in Fuel 

Economy

= 

9%

Fuel Cost Savings

= 

$4,912

CO2 Savings 

= 

13 Metric tons

1 A trucking company 

interested in saving 

fuel and lowering the 

cost and frequency of 

its equipment maintenance should consider 

adopting a speed management policy, particularly if its trucks 

spend considerable 

time on highways.

2 A number of wellmanaged truck fleets have 

programs in place to reduce 

highway speed and promote 

safe driving by using driver 

training, incentive programs, 

and electronic engine 

controls. A trucking fleet 

interested in following these 

examples may learn more by 

reading articles and fleet 

profiles in truck industry 

publications.

Next Steps

.

Reducing highway speed by 5 miles per hour can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas 

emissions by about 7 percent while extending the life of a truck’s engine, tires 

and brakes. An example is a long-haul truck that reduces its top speed from 65 

to 60 miles per hour saves over 1,200 gallons of fuel, cutting its annual fuel bill 

by $4,900 while eliminating nearly 13 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

What is the challenge?

A typical combination truck spends 65 percent or more of its operating time at highway 

speeds. Line-haul trucks spend even more time on highways. The impact of speed on fuel 

economy depends upon many factors including vehicle aerodynamics, engine speed and 

operating conditions. As a general rule of thumb, increasing speed by one mile per hour 

reduces fuel economy by about 0.1 miles per gallon. Excessive speed also leads to higher 

maintenance costs of by increasing wear on the engine, tires and brakes. 

What is the solution?

Speed management is an easy and effective way to save fuel, reduce emissions, and prevent excess wear. A trucking firm or driver can adopt a speed policy at little or no cost. The 

most successful speed management policies combine technology (e.g., speed settings on 

electronic engine controls) with driver training and incentive programs to encourage drivers 

to maintain speed limits. Most new truck engines are electronically controlled so the cost of 

changing maximum speed settings on these engines is negligible. 

Savings and benefits 

Although fuel savings may vary by vehicle and speed range, a combination truck driving 55 

miles per hour uses up to 7 percent less fuel than a similar truck driving 65 miles per hour. 

Other analyses indicate that reducing the maximum speed of a typical long-haul truck from 

65 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour could save about $4,900 in annual fuel costs. 

Reducing speed can cut truck maintenance costs and reduce the frequency of maintenance 

work. The time between engine overhauls, for example, is directly related to fuel use. Holding 

3 When purchasing new 

vehicles, a trucking company 

may also consider specifying equipment designed to 

optimize truck performance 

at lower maximum speeds. 

Trucking companies and 

drivers interested in learning 

more about the effects of 

speed on fuel economy may 

contact truck and equipment 

manufacturers or their state 

and national trucking associations.

New MPG 

(original 6 mpg)

= 

7.12 mpg

Fuel Consumption Savings

= 

9%
Page 2

Reducing Highway Speed

SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F09-042 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov

maximum speeds at 60 rather than 70 miles per hour reduces engine wear and extends time between engine rebuilds, saving hundreds of dollars per truck each year while keeping revenue-earning equipment on the road. Fleets 

that adopt speed policies report additional savings due to fewer brake jobs and other service work. 

Reducing highway speed does increase travel time. Assuming ideal conditions, a trucker driving 60 miles per hour 

instead of 65 miles per hour could spend about eight percent longer on the road. Of course, the time difference may 

be less, depending upon road conditions, weather, and traffic congestion and road construction. If a trucking company 

pays its drivers by the mile or by the load rather than by the hour, reducing speed should not increase labor costs. It 

could reduce the productivity of trucking operations since slower trucks may carry fewer loads. However, the benefits 

of lower fuel and maintenance costs combined with less frequent out-of-service work and driver safety considerations 

may well outweigh any costs associated with an increase in delivery time