In the high-speed realm of trucking, where every mile comes with a price tag, effective and economical fuel management is indispensable. Truckers navigate the nation’s highways, transporting goods from one coast to another, making fuel expenses a significant concern. This is where fuel cards step in to provide assistance.

Numerous fuel cards cater to the needs of trucking companies, yet not all are equally advantageous. We’ve meticulously surveyed the market to curate a selection of top-tier fuel cards tailored to meet the distinctive requirements of truckers, including fuel cards for truckers. 

Our assessment encompasses factors ranging from network coverage to the quality of customer service. Whether you’re an owner-operator, manage a small fleet, or oversee a large fleet, selecting the best fuel card for truckers can be pivotal. It can lead to savings at the pump and help maintain robust profits.

What is a Fuel Card in Trucking?

Fuel cards simplify fuel purchases for drivers, eliminating the need for cash or reimbursement hassles. They often offer discounts and reward points redeemable for various services. Benefits include:

1. Discounts: Save money with designated fuel stations.
2. Expense Control: Set purchase limits to manage spending.
3. Fraud Prevention: Personalized cards and PINs reduce fraud risk.
4. Reporting: Detailed reports aid in budgeting decisions.
5. Convenience: Streamline administrative tasks for drivers and businesses alike.

The Top 10 Best Fuel Cards for Truckers

Selecting the ideal fuel card tailored to your specific needs is paramount, whether you’re an independent owner-operator or part of a sizable fleet. There’re top fuel cards for truckers:

1. DAT One Fuel Card, powered by OTR Solutions

DAT fuel cards deliver premium savings at TA Petro, Speedway, and AMBEST stations, with additional benefits extending to network locations like Sapp Bros., Casey’s, Roady’s, Quick Fuel, Rutter’s, and more, all without pesky transaction fees exceeding $1.50. Accepted at 8,000 locations nationwide, card boasts an average savings of $0.51 per gallon. Remarkably, savings can soar to $1.70 per gallon, offering substantial financial benefits for truck upgrades and driver compensation.

Benefits:

• Integrated with DAT’s load board network;
• Savings at TA Petro, Speedway, and more;
• No transaction fees at 8,000 locations;
• Average savings of $0.51 per gallon;
• Receive weekly Fuel Insider emails;
• Flexible fund loading options;
• Dedicated customer support.

2. RTS Financial

RTS Financial’s fuel card program offers substantial savings of up to $0.25 per gallon at a vast network of over 2,400 fuel stations, making it a preferred choice among diesel truckers. This program not only grants savings at Pilot Flying J stations nationwide but also extends discounts to other fuel stops like Casey’s and Sapp Bros. In total, you can enjoy fuel savings at over 800 fueling stations within the Pilot Flying J Travel Center and One9 Fuel networks.

Benefits:

• Savings of up to $0.25 per gallon;
• Accessible at over 2,400 fuel stations;
• Discounts at Pilot Flying J, Casey’s, and more;
• No annual fees;
• Offers fuel and factoring bundle;
• Challenges in reaching customer service for smaller fleets.

3. WEX

WEX presents a diverse range of fuel card options for truckers offering extensive coverage throughout the United States and Canada. Setting itself apart from many other fuel discount cards for truckers, WEX cards boast acceptance at 95% of U.S. gas stations, granting your drivers greater flexibility in choosing refueling locations. Additionally, over 45,000 service locations honor WEX Fuel cards, encompassing establishments like American Lubefast, Firestone, Ford Service, Jiffy Lube, and Valvoline, ensuring coverage for vehicle maintenance and parts expenses wherever your drivers may be.

Benefits:

• Accepted at 95% of U.S. gas stations;
• Over 45,000 service locations;
• Automated expense tracking;
• 24/7 customer service;
• Some reports of card failures and support issues.

4. TransConnect Services

TransConnect Services (TCS) emerges as a reputable fuel card provider, offering transparent pricing and round-the-clock customer support, making it a commendable choice for carriers. With a TCS fuel card, you’ll enjoy the benefit of zero transaction fees at over 1,500 in-network locations, coupled with no activation or membership charges. Furthermore, TCS provides a user-friendly app for swift access to fuel savings, while all your account details are readily available on their website.

Benefits:

• Zero transaction fees at 1,500+ locations;
• Transparent pricing;
• Multiple payment options;
• User-friendly app;
• Instances of double charges reported.

5. TVC Pro-Driver

Backed by Expediter Services and boasting acceptance at over 15,000 locations, the TVC Pro-Driver Fuel Card is designed to bolster your savings. On average, cardholders pocket around $150 weekly (equivalent to $7,800 annually), albeit with a $60 monthly fee and $2.50 transactional fees for both in-network and out-of-network usage. Notably, the TVC Prepaid alternative may incur up to a 4% charge for same-day ACH transfers to the fuel card.

Benefits:

• Accepted at over 15,000 locations;
• Average savings of $150 weekly;
• Monthly fee and transactional fees apply;
• Challenges in accessing timely assistance reported.

6. Fleet One

Tailored for expanding fleets, Fleet One solutions cater primarily to carriers operating between 1 and 25 trucks. The Fleet One EDGE Card presents an enticing proposition with its $0.12 fuel savings at TA, Love’s, and independent stations, promising substantial cumulative savings. Moreover, this card extends additional discounts on equipment, maintenance, parts, accommodations, and various other expenses. Notably, you can anticipate saving an average of $40 per tire on leading tire brands nationwide.

Benefits:

• $0.12 fuel savings at TA, Love’s, and more;
• Discounts at over 4,500 locations;
• Benefits may align better with larger fleets;
• Delays in card delivery reported.

7. Love’s

The Love’s Express Billing Program, exclusive to QuikQ, is tailored specifically for Love’s truck stops. Despite its limited scope, it offers an enticing average discount of around $0.14 per gallon, with potential for negotiation based on volume. Moreover, this program boasts no application or transaction fees, and it provides fully customizable reports, empowering you with real-time data insights to optimize efficiency and curtail fuel expenses.

Benefits:

• Offers an average discount of $0.14 per gallon;
• No application or transaction fees;
• Fully customizable reports;
• Some concerns about transparency reported.

8. Fuelman

The Fuelman Deep Saver Card remains a favored option among smaller fleets and owner-operators, renowned for its robust cost-control features facilitating vigilant monitoring of drivers’ expenditures. This versatile fuel card enables comprehensive tracking of both diesel and ethanol expenses, complemented by enticing rebate opportunities. With acceptance at nearly 40,000 service stations nationwide, the Fuelman Deep Saver Card emerges as a compelling choice. Fuelman imposes a competitive monthly fee and extends insurance coverage for added reassurance.

Benefits:

• Accepted at nearly 40,000 stations;
• Robust cost-control features;
• Various rebates available;
• Hidden fees and support issues reported.

9. Shell

Shell’s fuel cards tailored for truckers deliver remarkable savings opportunities for Shell patrons. Whether you opt for the Shell Fleet Plus® Card, the Shell Small Business™ Card, or the Shell Fleet Navigator® Card, you gain access to fuel rebates, boasting discounts of up to $0.06 per gallon. With Shell’s trucking fuel cards, you enjoy the flexibility to set purchase limits, access detailed fuel reports, avail discounts at participating Jiffy Lube locations, and save money at approximately 13,000 Shell stations nationwide.

Benefits:

• Savings at participating Jiffy Lube locations;
• Online real-time card management;
• Some challenges in cancellation reported;
• Coverage gaps in specific regions reported.

10. BP

BP’s Business Solutions fleet cards rank among the top discount diesel fuel cards tailored for small fleets, granting drivers the convenience of refueling at BP and Amoco stations while enjoying volume-based rebates of up to $0.07. Similar to other leading fuel cards for truckers, BP Business Solutions’ cards provide online management capabilities and transparency. You gain the flexibility to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits and access comprehensive reports, statements, and account details online, eliminating the hassle of receipt collection and driver reimbursements.

Benefits:

• Up to $0.07 volume-based rebates;
• Online management capabilities;
• $10 monthly service fee for smaller purchases;
• Some service gaps reported.

Conclusion

Choosing the right fuel card can make a substantial difference, whether you’re an independent owner-operator or managing a large fleet. With features like discounts, purchase controls, fraud prevention measures, and detailed reporting, these fuel cards empower you to maximize efficiency and profitability.

Effective fuel management is crucial for trucking businesses to thrive. By selecting the right fuel card, you can unlock significant savings and streamline operations, ultimately driving success in the competitive trucking industry.

Contact Logity Dispatch today to get your trucking business to the next level and dive in our blog to learn more trucking tips.