Fuel is your biggest expense on the road. The right fuel card can save you thousands per year with per-gallon discounts, flexible payment terms, and tools to manage your fleet's spending.
By Small Fleet HQ | Published
| Provider | Network | Discount | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCS Fuel CardBest Overall | Automatic IFTA reporting with | Average savings of 47-57 cents | 4.5/ 5 | See Card BenefitsNo annual fee on most cards |
| AtoB Fuel CardBest Modern Experience | Mastercard acceptance at 99% o | Discounts at 4,200+ truck stop | 4.5/ 5 | See Card BenefitsNo annual fee on most cards |
| Comdata Fuel CardBest for TA/Petro Routes | Access to 8,000+ truck stop lo | Cash price access that saves 5 | 4.0/ 5 | See Card BenefitsNo annual fee on most cards |
| WEX Fleet One EDGEBest Network Coverage | 16,000+ truck stop locations w | 4,500+ sites offering fuel dis | 4.1/ 5 | See Card BenefitsNo annual fee on most cards |
| MudflapBest No-Fee Option | 2,800+ participating truck sto | Up to $1.00 per gallon savings | 4.5/ 5 | See Card BenefitsNo annual fee on most cards |
*Fuel discounts and terms may vary by location and volume. Contact providers for current pricing.
Fuel eats up 30% or more of a trucking company's operating costs. When you're burning through hundreds or thousands of gallons a week, even a few cents per gallon adds up fast. That's why picking the right fuel card matters more than most truckers realize when they're getting started.
I've talked to owner-operators who grabbed the first card a broker handed them, then spent years overpaying at the pump. I've seen small fleets stuck with cards that don't work at half the truck stops on their routes. This guide cuts through the marketing to help you find a fuel card that actually fits how you run your business.
A fuel card works like a credit card specifically designed for purchasing diesel and related expenses at truck stops. But unlike regular credit cards, fuel cards offer negotiated discounts at the pump, detailed purchase tracking, and controls that help you manage driver spending.
Here's the basic setup. You apply for a card, get approved based on your business (credit requirements vary by program), and receive cards for yourself and any drivers. When you fuel up at a participating truck stop, you pay a discounted price below the posted pump price. The card company handles payment to the truck stop, and you pay the card company on their billing cycle.
For owner-operators, fuel cards simplify expense tracking and put money back in your pocket. For fleets, they add control over what drivers can purchase and where.
The mechanics of fuel card savings are simpler than most people think.
Negotiated Pricing: Fuel card companies negotiate volume discounts with truck stop chains. Because they're aggregating purchases from thousands of truckers, they get better pricing than you could negotiate alone. You benefit from that buying power.
Discount Display: When you pull into a participating truck stop, your discounted price might show on the pump screen, or you'll see it on your receipt. Typical savings range from $0.10 to $0.50+ per gallon depending on the card, location, and current market conditions.
Network Variations: Not all locations offer the same discount. Some cards have "preferred" locations with deeper savings and "standard" locations with smaller discounts. Knowing your card's best stops along your routes maximizes your savings.
No Rebate Waiting: Unlike some rewards programs, fuel card discounts apply immediately at the pump. You're not waiting for monthly rebate checks or accumulating points, the savings hit your account right away.
Running a trucking operation without a fuel card is like leaving money on the ground. Here's what you're getting beyond the headline discount numbers.
Immediate Savings: At $0.25 per gallon savings and 1,000 gallons per week, you're keeping an extra $13,000 annually. The math gets better as your volume increases.
Expense Tracking: Every purchase logs automatically with date, location, gallons, and price. Your IFTA reporting gets dramatically easier when you're not sorting through crumpled receipts.
Driver Controls: Set limits on what can be purchased (diesel only, no merchandise), how much can be spent per day, and which locations are approved. This protects against fraud and unauthorized purchases.
Cash Flow Management: Most fuel cards offer billing cycles that give you time between fueling and payment. Some offer extended terms or integrate with factoring to time your payments with your receivables.
No Personal Credit Required: Many trucking fuel cards approve based on your business and customer base rather than personal credit scores. This opens doors for new owner-operators who haven't built business credit yet.
Additional Services: Many cards include maintenance discounts, truck wash savings, DEF pricing, and roadside assistance programs. These extras add value beyond fuel savings.
Not all fuel cards work the same way. Understanding the main types helps you choose wisely.
Universal Cards: These work at multiple truck stop chains, including Pilot, Love's, TA, and independents. Best for truckers with unpredictable routes who need maximum flexibility.
Brand-Specific Cards: Tied to a single chain like Pilot or Love's. Often offer deeper discounts at that brand but zero savings elsewhere. Only makes sense if you consistently fuel at one chain.
Prepaid Cards: Load money first, then spend. No credit check required. Good for truckers building credit or those who prefer strict budgeting discipline.
Credit-Based Cards: Traditional billing cycle with payment due after you fuel. Requires credit approval but offers better cash flow flexibility.
Every fuel card company claims to offer the best savings. Here's how to cut through the noise.
Network Coverage: Check where the card works against your actual routes. A great discount means nothing if the card doesn't work where you need to fuel. Look for acceptance at multiple chains to avoid being stranded.
True Discount Levels: Ask for real discount examples, not just "up to" marketing claims. Get specific pricing at the stops you use most. Some cards advertise big discounts that only apply at a handful of locations.
Fee Structure: Transaction fees, monthly fees, card fees, and paper statement fees all eat into your savings. Calculate your expected monthly costs based on how many transactions you'll run.
Billing Terms: How many days do you have to pay? Is there a credit limit that matches your fuel needs? What happens if you're late?
Purchase Controls: Can you limit purchases to diesel only? Set per-transaction or daily limits? Restrict specific product categories? These controls matter as your fleet grows.
Reporting Quality: How easy is it to pull IFTA reports? Can you export data to your accounting software? Do you get real-time transaction alerts?
Most trucking-specific fuel cards offer some combination of these tools.
Having a fuel card is just the start. How you use it determines how much you actually save.
Plan Fuel Stops: Use your card's app or website to identify the best-discounted locations along your route before you leave. A few minutes of planning can save significant money.
Fill Up Smart: If transaction fees apply, larger fill-ups reduce your per-gallon fee impact. Don't make three small purchases when one large purchase works.
Know Your Network: Learn which stops in your regular lanes offer the best discounts with your specific card. Your card's "preferred" locations often save more than standard ones.
Stack Savings: Combine fuel card discounts with truck stop loyalty programs when possible. Some programs allow you to earn points on discounted fuel card purchases.
Review Statements: Check your monthly statements for accuracy. Errors happen, and catching them quickly means faster resolution.
Our owner operator starter stack includes fuel card recommendations plus insurance, factoring, and more, organized into three budget tiers.
Owner operator starter pack →Savings typically range from $0.10 to $0.50+ per gallon depending on the card, location, and your volume. At average consumption, owner-operators commonly save $5,000-$15,000 annually. Fleets with multiple trucks save proportionally more.
Requirements vary by program. Many trucking fuel cards focus on your business customers and freight relationships rather than personal credit. Prepaid options require no credit check at all. If traditional cards have rejected you, prepaid programs provide a legitimate alternative.
Universal cards work at multiple truck stop chains, giving you flexibility to fuel wherever your routes take you. Brand-specific cards offer discounts only at one chain but may provide deeper savings at those locations. Universal cards suit most truckers better unless you consistently fuel at a single brand.
Common fees include per-transaction charges ($1-3 typical), monthly account fees, card replacement fees, and paper statement fees. Calculate your monthly transaction count and compare total fee burden across cards. A higher per-gallon discount can be offset by excessive fees.
Most trucking fuel cards offer purchase controls. You can typically restrict to diesel only, set daily or per-transaction spending limits, limit approved locations, and receive alerts on purchases. These controls tighten as you move to fleet-focused card programs.
Fuel cards automatically track purchases by state, including gallons, location, and date. Most card platforms generate IFTA-ready reports that simplify quarterly filings. Instead of manual receipt tracking, you download a report that maps directly to IFTA requirements. See our IFTA reporting guide for the full step-by-step filing process.
Yes, many truckers carry cards from different programs to maximize network coverage and discounts. Just track your spending across cards for accurate IFTA reporting. Some truckers use a universal card as primary and a brand-specific card for their most-traveled routes.
Report it immediately to your card provider. Most offer 24/7 phone support for card emergencies. Liability protection varies, so understand your exposure before you need it. Many cards can be frozen instantly through mobile apps while you sort out a replacement.