The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Pay on the Road
Fuel is one of the highest costs in the trucking industry. If you’re an owner-operator, freight broker, or carrier, fuel surcharges can make or break your profit margin. Yet, many truckers don’t know how they work—or how to calculate them.
In this blog, we’ll explain what a fuel surcharge is, why it matters, and how to calculate it yourself using real numbers. This knowledge helps you negotiate better freight rates, protect your income, and run your business smarter.
What Is a Fuel Surcharge in Trucking?
A fuel surcharge is an additional fee added to freight rates to cover high diesel fuel costs. It helps carriers and drivers stay profitable when fuel prices rise. Instead of constantly raising base freight rates, shippers add this surcharge to account for fuel price increases.
Fees are based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) reports for the National U.S. Average On-Highway Diesel Fuel Price. These averages are updated every Monday, and include both national and regional pricing, giving carriers and shippers an up-to-date reference for surcharge calculations.
Why Fuel Surcharges Matter to Truck Drivers
When diesel prices rise and you’re paid by the mile, your fuel costs can eat into your earnings. A fair fuel surcharge keeps your per-mile rate competitive and ensures you’re not working for less.
If you don’t know how to calculate your own surcharge, you’re relying on others to tell you what you’re worth—and that’s never a good plan.
Who Uses Fuel Surcharges in Trucking?
- Owner-Operators: Directly negotiate and receive surcharge rates.
- Carriers: Build surcharges into freight quotes.
- Freight Brokers: Use them to adjust shipper-carrier contracts.
- Company Drivers: May see the effect in pay incentives or bonuses.
Understanding and applying this formula gives you negotiating power—whether you’re dealing with dispatchers, brokers, or direct shippers.
Tips to Maximize Your Fuel Surcharge Earnings
- Track fuel prices weekly via the EIA website
- Know your MPG—get accurate numbers based on your truck and load
- Keep records of your fuel costs and surcharges for each trip
- Negotiate with confidence using this data in rate conversations
Take Control of Your Trucking Business
Knowing how to calculate your fuel surcharge isn’t just useful—it’s necessary. In an industry where fuel prices change daily, your ability to adjust your pricing keeps you ahead of the curve and in control of your money.
Don’t just drive—drive smarter. Understand your fuel surcharge, and make every mile pay off.
Start Saving on Fuel Today!
Fuel surcharges help protect your pay. Pairing them with the TCS Fuel Card takes it to the next level. Sign up now and keep more money in your pocket.
