Fuel is one of the biggest expenses in trucking – often 20-30% of your cost per mile, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) – so even small changes in price and fuel location can improve your margins. A good fuel card for truckers helps you save, control spending, and streamline reporting every day.
What Is a Fuel Card?
A fuel card is a payment card designed for diesel fuel and selected trucking‑related purchases. Unlike a regular gas credit card, a truck fuel card offers per‑gallon discounts as well as security and control features such as spending limits and prompts at the pump.
Types of Fuel Cards
A branded fuel card focuses on a single truck stop chain, while universal cards such as the TCS Fuel Card work across large networks of well-known truck stops with dedicated in-network discounts. Cash-secured cards, like the TCS Fuel Card, do not require any probing credit checks. Cash-secured, or self-funding, also provides real-time controls ideal for owner-operators and small fleets that want predictable costs without revolving credit.
Who Benefits from a Fuel Card?
If you’re a trucker, you benefit from a fuel card. Owner‑operators, small trucking companies, and fleets (large and small) can take advantage of lower diesel costs, tightened controls, and simplified IFTA and expense tracking.
How Does the TCS Fuel Card Work?
- Apply: The TCS online application is quick; accounts are cash‑secured and don’t require a credit check. Cards ship in 2-3 business days after approval.
- Activate: Activate in the TCS client site or the TCS Mobile App; set limits and permissions per driver or vehicle.
- Fueling at the pump: Swipe the card and follow prompts (you may be asked for unit #, mileage, driver #/trip #). Discounts per gallon apply at more than 2,300 in-network locations across the country where TCS clients pay $0 transaction fees. The TCS Fuel Card is accepted at more than 12,000 locations that accept EFS and Comdata.
- Security at checkout: Drivers use a PIN; trucking company owners can require prompts and set product/location controls to reduce fraud.
- Reporting and billing: View itemized statements and transaction reports in the mobile app or client site, which are super helpful for International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) reporting. Discounted price isn’t shown on the pump; you’ll see it in your account afterward.
Key Benefits and Customization of the TCS Fuel Card
- Cost savings: Per‑gallon discounts at more than 2,300 in‑network locations nationwide, including TA®, TA Express®, Petro Stopping Centers®, AMBEST®, 7FLEET Diesel Network – 7Eleven, Speedway, Stripes, Maverik, Casey’s, Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Sapp Bros., Road Ranger, and Irving Oil. You can use the TCS Fuel Card at more than 12,000 locations that accept EFS and Comdata.
- TCS Fuel Finder: Always use your TCS Fuel Finder to find the best diesel discount prices and amenities along your route.
- IFTA Reporting: Itemized statements and real‑time reports via the app and client site help simplify IFTA compliance and driver settlements.
- Security and control: Set spending limits, control fuel vs. non‑fuel purchases, require prompts, and monitor transactions 24/7 to reduce fraud.
- DEF and lumpers: Use your TCS Fuel Card to purchase DEF at any truck stop that accepts EFS and Comdata cards, but you can save 50 cents per gallon of DEF at Speedway, which is an in-network discount location. Also, use your TCS account to pay for lumpers.
- Additional cards: TCS Fuel Card clients can easily request additional cards.
- Customer support: TCS offers world-class, 24/7/365 US-based support for our fuel card clients.
How Do You Fund the TCS Fuel Card?
Since the TCS Fuel Card is cash-secured, clients have choices on how to fund their cards for long hauls. Here are the options:
Zelle®
Use Zelle, through your bank, to fund the TCS Fuel Card within minutes.
ACH Credit
(bank-to-bank transfer)
Client-initiated, during banking hours, funds received by next business day (except holidays).
Bank wire
Client-initiated, during banking hours; funds received typically within 2 hours.
Western Union
Client-initiated, 24/7/365, funds received within one hour.
Third-party checks
(Comchek, EFS check, or T-Chek)
Client-initiated, 24/7/365; funds received usually within one hour.
Factoring
Factoring companies, such as our friends at Apex Capital, can direct funds from invoices or a factoring reserve account into your fuel card.
Choosing the Right Fuel Card
When it comes time to choose a diesel fuel card or a fleet fuel card, always remember to use this handy checklist. This way, you are sure to make the right choice.
- Network and discounts: Does it offer more than 2,300 in‑network discount locations and more than 12,000 locations where the card is accepted?
- Fees: Are there $0 monthly/activation and $0 in‑network transaction fees? Are there any hidden fees?
- Controls and visibility: Can you set limits, require prompts, and get real‑time reports for IFTA?
- Tools: Does it include a fuel finder and a strong mobile app and client portal?
- Integration with factoring: If you factor with Apex Capital, you can fund fuel quickly and manage cash flow on the same day. Apex offers fuel credit lines for qualifying clients and reliable integration with TCS.
Why Is the TCS Fuel Card Smart for Truckers?
At TCS, we want to level the playing field between small- to medium-sized trucking companies and the larger fleets. So, if you’re an owner-operator, you can benefit from no probing credit checks, cash-secured funding, and real discounts right at the pump. This all helps you manage cash flow and avoid accumulating interest and fees. Plus, you have complete visibility of your account via the TCS Mobile App or the TCS client site.
If you own a small trucking company, TCS offers card-level controls, the TCS Fuel Finder, and itemized statements that make it easy to plan your route and keep drivers pumping at in-network stops, maximizing savings, and simplifying IFTA reporting.
For fleets, both large and small, TCS can readily provide additional cards for more drivers, allow for controls and permissions that help monitor spending, and scale savings across your fleet by using the TCS Fuel Finder.
The Power of the TCS Fuel Card
If you want substantial savings, an average of 57¢ per gallon*, better security, and cleaner reporting, a fuel card that’s purposely built for trucking – like the TCS Fuel Card – is a practical, everyday tool to lower costs and keep your operation streamlined and lucrative. Use the TCS Fuel Finder, set controls, and plan in‑network stops to make fuel expenses work for you.
Are you ready to see how the TCS Fuel Card fits your haul? In-network discounts on fuel, a fuel finder to locate the best savings, and all the security, control, and customization you need to help your business succeed are ready for you. Apply for your TCS Fuel Card today!
*Average savings of 57 cents per gallon is based on actual in-network TCS client transaction for Q4 of 2025.