International vs Freightliner Semi Trucks: Which One’s Right for You?

Can’t choose between Freightliner or International? Whether you’re eyeing a sleek Cascadia, a legendary Lonestar, or anything in between, here’s straight talk—driver-tested feedback from Reddit and TruckersReport vets. We’ll cover price, weight, freightliner semi trucks models, freightliner semi trucks under $100,000, and your top international semi trucks for sale options.

Freightliner Semi Trucks: Modern Mile-Eaters

Top Models & Specs

Cascadia 126 (Class 8, 315–500 hp, 228–266 in wb)
Cascadia 116 (Short-hood, tighter turns, 205–445 hp)
Coronado (Classic long-hood, 330–605 hp)
FL70/FL80 (Medium-duty box trucks & tippers)

Freightliner Cascadia 126 semi truck

Price & Weight

New Price: $135 000–$165 000
Used Under $100 000: 2012–2015 Cascadia 116/126 (600 000–800 000 mi)
Curb Weight: ~19 000–21 000 lb → Payload ≈ 41 000 lb

Trucker Takeaways

“My ’18 Cascadia 126 runs 75 mph loaded like it’s on rails. Best fuel burn I’ve seen—around 7 mpg.”
– (r/Truckers)

“FL70 in the fleet for local drops—bulletproof… only time it stops is for fuel.”
– (TruckersReport)

“Cascadia 116 under $90K? Grab it. Minimal electronics, solid Allison auto, and ZERO DEF headaches on my run.”
– (r/Truckers)

“Coronado gets all the looks, but it rattles if you don’t install an APU. Once you sort that, it’s one of the quietest rigs out there.”
– (TruckersReport)

Pros

Class-leading aerodynamics → best-in-class fuel economy
Killer dealer network and parts availability
Quiet cabs (≈66 dBA) and shock-absorbing seats

Cons

Early-model 2013–14 Cascadias had DEF-pump gremlins
FL70/80 cabins feel dated vs. newer International day cab models
Storage space under bunks can be tight

International Semi Trucks: American Icons

Top Models & Specs

Lonestar (“Hot rod” long-hood, 365–600 hp, 230–292 in wb)
ProStar+ (Modern dash, 200–500 hp, 216–252 in wb)
9300 Eagle (Cabover-style, manual or auto)
LT Series (Day cab or sleeper, 455–605 hp)

International LT semi truck

Price & Weight

New Price: $130 000–$160 000 for Lonestar / ProStar
Used Under $100 000: 2008–2012 9300 Eagle (700 000 mi)
Curb Weight: ~20 500–22 500 lb → Payload ≈ 38 000 lb

Trucker Takeaways

“Lonestar turns heads at the stoplight—like a Corvette in steel. But backing in takes practice—those fenders are WIDE.”
– (r/Truckers)

“Grabbed a ’16 ProStar+ under $95K—huge windshield, great dash layout, feels like driving a sofa.”
– (TruckersReport)

“9300 Eagle’s a champ for day cab work—tilt-hood makes service a joke. Runs past 500K mi before big bills.”
– (r/Truckers)

“LT Series sleeper—rock-solid Cummins X15 and a bunk that fits a 6′ 3″ driver. A bit thirsty, but I’d take comfort over a nickel saved any day.”
– (TruckersReport)

Pros