In the high-speed world of trucking where every mile is worth its share of the price of fuel, effective and affordable fuel management is essential. Truckers prowl the nation’s highways, hauling goods from end to end, and the cost of fuel is a serious issue. This is where fuel cards step in to offer help.

Numerous fuel cards are available for the needs of trucking companies, but not all are beneficial. We’ve been very careful in our market survey to make sure we select the best available fuel cards for the unique needs of truckers, including fuel cards for truckers.

Our assessment covers everything ranging from network coverages to quality of customer service. Whether you’re an owner-operator, or manage a small fleet till own a large fleet; selecting on the best fuel card truckers can be pivotal. This can result in savings at the pump as well as sustain healthy profits.

What is a Fuel Card in Trucking?

Fuel cards make it easier for drivers to buy fuel since there is no need to use cash or deal with reimbursement issues. They more than often provide discounts and points that can be rewarded and transferred for various services. Benefits include:

Discounts: Save money at designated fuel stations;

Expense Control: Control spending by setting spending limits.

Fraud Prevention: Personalized card and PIN numbers help to reduce fraud.

Reporting: Detailed reports are helpful in budgeting decisions.

Convenience: Make administration more convenient—for drivers and businesses alike.

The Top 10 Best Fuel Cards for Truckers

Selecting the perfect fuel card for your specific needs is of the highest order; whether you’re an independent owner-operator or operating within a large fleet. There’re some of the best fuel cards for truckers:

1. DAT One Fuel Card with OTR Solutions

DAT fuel cards provide great savings at TA Petro, Speedway, and AMBEST stations and the savings are extended to network locations such as Sapp Bros., Casey’s, Roady’s, Quick Fuel, Rutter’s, etc., all too without pesky transaction fees of over $1.50. Accepted at 8,000 locations across the country, card has an average savings of $0.51 per gallon. Remarkably, savings can reach skyrocketed numbers of $1.70 per gallon that can provide acceptable financial benefits for truck improvements and driver compensation.

Benefits:

  • Connected to DAT’s load board network;
  • Savings at TA Petro, Speedway, etc.;
  • No transaction fee at 8,000 locations;
  • Savings average of $0.51 per gallon; and
  • Receive weekly Fuel Insider mails; and
  • Flexible fund loaded options;
  • Dedicated customer support.

2. RTS Financial

RTS Financial offers an excellent fuel card program that saves up to $0.25 per gallon at a huge network of more than 2,400 fuel stations, making it a favorite program of diesel truckers. This program not only provides savings at Pilot Flying J stations across the country but to other fuel stops such as Casey’s and Sapp Bros. In all, you can enjoy fuel savings at more than 800 fueling stations in the Pilot Flying J Travel Center and One9 Fuel networks.

Benefits:

  • Savings of up to $0.25 per gallon;
  • Filling stations accessible in more than 2400 stations;
  • Pilot Flying J, Casey’s, and more discounts;
  • No annual fees;
  • Offers fuel and factoring bundle;
  • Difficulties in coming in contact with customer service for smaller fleets.

3. WEX

WEX offers a wide variety of fuel card options for truckers with extensive coverage in the United States and Canada. Setting itself apart from many other fuel discount cards for truckers, WEX cards claim acceptance from 95% of gas stations across the U.S., giving your drivers more ability to partner with refueling locations. Additionally, more than 45,000 service facilities accept WEX Fuel Cards which includes establishments such as American Lubefast, Firestone, Ford Service, Jiffy Lube and Valvoline to ensure that your vehicle maintenance/parts spending is taken care of wherever your drivers go.

Benefits:

  • Accepted at 95% of gas stations across the US;
  • Over 45,000 service locations;
  • Automated expense tracking;
  • 24/7 customer service;
  • There are some reports of card failures and support problems.

4. TransConnect Services

TransConnect Services (TCS) is born as a reputable fuel card provider with transparent price and around-the-clock customer support, a praiseworthy option for carriers. With a TCS fuel card you’ll receive the convenience of zero transaction fees at more than 1,500 in-network locations, and zero activation and membership charges. Furthermore, TCS offers an easy to use app to quickly know your fuel savings, and all your account numbers are easily accessible on their website.

Benefits:

  • Zero transaction fees at 1500+ locations;
  • Transparent pricing;
  • Multiple payment options;
  • User-friendly app;
  • Instances of double charges reported, etc.

5. TVC Pro-Driver

Backed by Expediter Services and having acceptance at more than 15,000 locations, the TVC Pro-Driver Fuel Card is made to strengthen your saving. On average, cardholders put about $150 a week in their pockets (roughly $7800 a year), albeit with a $60 a month charge and $2.50 transactional fees in and out of network usage. Not worth mentioning, the TVC Prepaid alternative comes to a maximum of 4% for the 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 are charged;
  • Problems are reporting challenges in accessing timely assistance:

6. Fleet One

Tailored to growing fleets, Fleet One solutions are written mainly for carriers of 1 to 25 trucks. The Fleet One EDGE Card offers an attractive offer with the $0.12 fuel savings at TA, Love’s, and independent stations to promise huge cumulative savings. Moreover, there are more discounts available on equipment, maintenance, parts, accommodation, and other expenses on this card. Notably, you can expect to save on average $40 per tire on top tire brands around the country.

Benefits:

  • SAVings of $0.12 fuel at TA, Love’s, etc.;
  • Discounts at over 4,500 locations;
  • Benefits may be more suitable for larger fleets;
  • Delays in delivery of cards were reported.

7. Love’s

The Love’s Express Billing Program is offered solely by QuikQ and is specifically tailored for Love’s truck stops. Despite its small coverage, it has an appetizing average discount of around $0.14 per gallon, with room for negotiation on the basis of volume. Moreover, this program does not offer any application and transaction charges and offers completely customizable reports and put you in a position to provide you with real-time data insights to optimize efficiency and reduce fuel costs.

Benefits:

  • Offers an average discount of 14 cents per gallon;
  • No application or transaction charges;
  • Fully customizable reports;
  • There are some concerns about transparency that are reported.

8. Fuelman

The Fuelman Deep Saver Card is also a popular choice of smaller fleets and owner-operators and is known for its powerful cost control capabilities that make it easy to keep a watchful eye on the spending of drivers. This multi-functional fuel card allows complete tracking of the diesel and ethanol costs, along with attractive rebate opportunities. With acceptance at nearly 40,000 service stations across the country, the Fuelman Deep Saver Card is one fill-up tool that will certainly be a win-win choice. Fuelman charges a competitive monthly fee and offers the extended insurance coverage for added reassurance.

Benefits:

  • Accepted at nearly 40,000 stations;
  • Strong capabilities for cost control;
  • Various rebates available;
  • Hidden fees and support issues said

9. Shell

Shell’s fuel cards designed for truckers provide incredible savings opportunities to Shell patrons. Whether you choose the Shell Fleet Plus(R) Card, Shell Small Business(SM) Card or Shell Fleet Navigator(R) Card, you gain access to Shell Fleet fuel rebates that offer up to $0.06 per gallon. With Shell’s trucking fuel cards you receive the flexibility of setting purchase limits, accessing detailed fuel reports, avail discounts at participating Jiffy Lube locations and save money at around 13,000 Shell stations in the country.

Benefits:

  • Savings in participating Jiffy Lube locations;
  • Web based real-time card management;
  • Some challenges in cancellation reported;
  • Problems (coverage gaps) in specific regions reported.

10. BP

BP’s Business Solutions fleet cards are among the best discount diesel fuel cards designed for use by small fleets that allow drivers the freedom to fill up at BP and Amoco stations and earn rebates up to $0.07 based on volume. Similar to other top trucker fuel cards, BP Business Solutions’ cards offer online management capabilities as well as transparency. You receive the flexibility to specify daily, weekly or monthly caps and gain access to comprehensive reports, statements and account information online to rid yourself of the hassle of receipt collection and reimbursing drivers.

Benefits:

  • Up to $0.07 volume-based rebates;
  • Online management capabilities;
  • $10 per month service charge for smaller purchases; and
  • Some service gaps reported.

Conclusion

Fuel cards can be a great cost control tool for truckers and fleet operators, but the correct option is dependent on driving patterns, network coverage, cost fragmentations and operational needs. While it’s tempting to be drawn in by advertised deals, it’s important to understand transaction fees, acceptance restrictions and account terms before committing to any program.

By comparing the options very carefully, aligning fuel card features with your routes and fuel volume, truckers can minimize costs of operation and use your fuel more efficiently in the long run without compromising flexibility.

👉 Contact Dexter Dispatch Services at www.dexterdispatchservices.com or call us at [682-336-0385]