Fuel is the single largest operating expense for most trucking operations, consuming 30-40% of total costs. For an owner-operator burning 18,000 gallons a year at $4.00 per gallon, that is $72,000 annually going straight into the tanks. Even modest per-gallon savings of $0.20-$0.50 translate to $3,600-$9,000 back in your pocket each year. The right fuel card turns that math in your favor without adding another line item to your expenses.
By Small Fleet HQ | Updated
| Company | Monthly Fee | Avg. Discount/Gallon | Network Size | Major Chain Coverage | IFTA Reporting | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 TCS Fuel Card | $0 | $0.47-$0.57 | 2,300+ discount / 12,000+ total | TA, Petro, AMBEST, Casey's | ||
#2 Mudflap | $0 | $0.40-$0.60 | 2,800+ truck stops | TA, Petro, Speedway, Kwik Trip | ||
#3 AtoB Fuel Card | $3/card (prepaid) | $0.45 | 4,200+ discount locations | TA, Petro, Love's, Speedway | ||
#4 RTS Financial Fuel Card | $0 | $0.25 | 3,000+ locations | Pilot/Flying J (850+ stops) | ||
#5 Motive Card | $0 (platform sub required) | Up to $0.21 | 35,000+ partner locations | Love's, TA, Petro, Casey's | ||
#6 WEX Fleet One EDGE | $2-$4/card | $0.12-$0.15 | 16,000+ locations | Pilot, Love's, TA/Petro, AMBEST |
See how much you could save annually with the right fuel card based on your miles and fuel consumption.
The catch with many fuel cards is that monthly fees, transaction charges, and activation costs quietly erode the savings they promise. A card advertising 15 cents per gallon in discounts loses its edge when $10/month in card fees and $1.50 per swipe eat into every fill-up. For smaller operators running one to five trucks, those fees can represent a meaningful percentage of total savings, making it harder to justify the card in the first place.
No-fee fuel cards solve this problem. By eliminating monthly charges and transaction fees, they ensure that every cent of your per-gallon discount lands in your operating account rather than going back to the card provider. For owner-operators and small fleets watching every dollar, a no-fee card means your fuel savings are actual savings. The six cards below deliver real discounts without charging you for the privilege.
Yes. Several fuel cards charge zero monthly fees, including TCS Fuel Card, Mudflap, and the RTS Financial fuel card. TCS and RTS operate as prepaid cards with no activation, monthly, or in-network transaction fees. Mudflap works as a free app that lets you use your existing debit card or bank account to access discounts at 2,800+ truck stops. AtoB's Unlimited prepaid card charges just $3/card/month, which is close to zero. The key difference between these options is the discount network and average per-gallon savings, so the best choice depends on where you typically fuel.
Savings vary by card and fueling habits, but most owner-operators save between $3,000 and $10,000 per year. TCS Fuel Card users report average savings of 47-57 cents per gallon, which translates to $8,500-$10,300 annually on 18,000 gallons. Mudflap users in the Midwest average 40-60 cents per gallon, putting annual savings around $7,200-$10,800. Even lower-discount cards like WEX Fleet One EDGE at 12-15 cents per gallon save $2,160-$2,700 per year on the same volume. The more you plan your fuel stops around in-network locations, the higher your total savings.
For the highest per-gallon discounts at truck stops, TCS Fuel Card leads with documented averages of 47-57 cents per gallon at TA, Petro, AMBEST, and other in-network locations. Mudflap delivers cost-plus pricing with savings up to $1.00 per gallon at select stops, though the network excludes Pilot/Flying J and Love's. AtoB averages 45 cents per gallon across 4,200+ truck stops with the added advantage of Love's discount porting. For carriers who fuel primarily at Pilot/Flying J, the RTS Financial card offers dedicated discounts at 850+ Pilot locations.
It depends on the card. AtoB runs on the Mastercard network and is accepted at 99% of all fuel stations nationwide, though the premium truck stop discounts only apply at 4,200+ specific locations. The Motive card also uses Mastercard for universal acceptance. WEX EFS covers 16,000+ truck stops with 95% U.S. acceptance. TCS and Mudflap have more limited networks (12,000+ and 2,800+ locations respectively) but deliver deeper discounts where they are accepted. Most no-fee fuel cards work best when you plan stops around in-network locations to maximize savings.
Most fuel cards allow DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) purchases at the pump, and some offer specific DEF discounts. TCS Fuel Card provides $0.50 per gallon savings on DEF at 7FLEET locations. AtoB includes DEF and reefer fuel purchases in their discount program. WEX EDGE goes further with tire discounts at 2,200+ Bridgestone locations, AutoZone parts savings, and maintenance vendor discounts through their savings network. For broader non-fuel purchases like maintenance, tires, and truck wash services, check each card's merchant category restrictions, as some operators limit cards to fuel-only purchases for security.