As a trucker, finding a fuel card that offers convenience, savings, and flexibility makes life on the road easier. With so many options available, choosing the right fuel card for your needs can get overwhelming. To help, we researched and reviewed 14 of the top fuel cards designed specifically for truck drivers.
Whether you’re an owner-operator, work for a small or large fleet, or drive mostly regional or over-the-road routes, these fuel cards aim to save truckers time and money at the pump.
Topics
Top Trucker Fuel and Fleet Card Recommendations
Every fuel card is usable by truckers. Transportation-focused customers bring in enough revenue that every gas station wants to cater to them, so it would be much stranger for a fuel card not to support trucking.
However, with that in mind, fuel cards aren’t equal. Some of them are particularly well-suited to the heavy trucking industry (versus, say, cargo vans), and that can make a real difference when you’re trying to optimize fuel economy or find the best savings. Here are the best fuel cards for truckers (not listed in any particular order).
| Fuel Card | Max Savings Per Gallon |
| WEX | 3 cents |
| EFS | 15 cents (Depends on location) |
| Fuelman | 10 cents (Simple Saver Fleet Card) |
| Comdata | 10 cents |
| Pilot Fleet Card | None (see card description) |
| Universal Premium | 6 cents |
| TCS | 63 cents |
| Fleet One | 15 cents |
| Voyager Fleet Card | $1.06 (tax-exempt diesel) |
| RTS Fuel Card | 25 cents |
| Multi Service Fuel Card | Varies (see card description) |
| BP | 7 cents |
| Shell | 6 cents |
1. WEX
The WEX fuel card offers nuanced control over fuel transactions: it allows fleet managers to tailor settings based on fuel type, location, time of day, or day of the week. This level of customization extends to setting spending limits, providing a strategic approach to managing expenses.
The accompanying mobile app enhances driver control. It empowers drivers with valuable information, including discounts at nearby locations. This feature allows drivers to make informed decisions, seeking the most cost-effective fuel options for both diesel and gas.
Tailored for companies with local operations and trucks that accumulate fewer miles, the WEX fleet card caters to the specific needs of businesses with shorter driving distances.
- Accepted at over 95% filling points in the US
- 24/7 customer support to help businesses and drivers wherever they are
- The National Automobile Club partnership reduces downtime by providing maintenance and repair services
- Comprehensive reporting and planning with the WEX ClearView system
- Enhanced security with two-factor authentication and remote blocking features
- Wide variety including the best-selling WEX FLeet One card
Website: https://www.wexcard.com/
1. Featured: Coast*
Unlike most fuel cards, Coast can be used at any gas station that accepts Visa. Coast does not require a personal guarantee, which means business owners carry no personal liability.
- Universal 2¢ rebate on gas (regardless of gas station brand) and 1% cash back on non-fuel purchases
- Customer support is easy to get hold of and is based in the US
- Coast easily integrates into telematics and fleet management software to give businesses even more control over fuel spending
- Choose what types of purchases employees can make and set limits and restrictions on where, when, how often, and how much cards can be used for
- Offers credit lines to businesses on monthly and weekly payback terms
- Alerts and flexibility through one-time authorizations
- Limits include restricting fuel transactions to daily, weekly, and monthly maximums, time of day limits, transaction amount, and frequency limits
Click here to learn more about Coast
- 2¢ off per gallon on your statement
- 1% back on non-fuel purchases
- No personal guarantee
- Fuel up at any gas station that accepts Visa
- Set spend policies by driver, department, or vehicle and get real-time exception alerts.
- Personalized, 100% US-based customer service
- Rate 5 out of 5 on Capterra
2. EFS
Electric Funds Source, more commonly known as EFS, provides a trucking-focused card for people. Their main card is among some of the best fuel cards for small businesses. The EFS Fleet One EDGE card, is ideal for users with up to 25 trucks.
The EFS Fleet card is for fleets with 26 or more trucks operating within it.
Finally, their EFS Mastercard Fleet Card provides full access to all fueling stations that accept Mastercard (which is most of them), and also helps drivers who need to pay for other things at the same time. With an impressive savings cap of 15 cents per gallon and many partner locations, the EFS card is one of the best options for trucking companies.
- Comes in several different versions
- Helps collect important metrics like odometer information
- Uses truck telemetry to match purchase data
- Accepted at up to 16,000 locations, depending on the card you get
- Helps control non-fuel purchases
Website: https://www.efsllc.com/fleet/fleet-cards/
3. Fuelman
Fuelman fuel card stands out because it offers different subscriptions for each card. Other companies typically have one subscription plan tied to each card (if they have subscriptions at all), which means Fuelman is fundamentally more flexible than most of its competitors.
The plans include real-time fraud notices, annual loyalty bonuses, and late payment forgiveness programs. That last one is a feature you hopefully won’t need, but some payments can be irregular, and the option to pay later without getting kicked from the rewards program is extremely useful for truckers.
- Multiple plans for their cards
- Robust business protection features, particularly relating to identity theft
- Roadside assistance is available 24/7
- Multiple reward offers
Website: https://www.fuelman.com/offers/trucking-and-transport/
4. Comdata
Comdata is focused almost entirely on the trucking industry, which means it can provide offers and benefits that others don’t. The main highlight of their program is the FleetAdvance app, which helps drivers figure out the best locations to fuel up before they reach the area.
The Comdata fuel card also gives drivers access to cash prices when fueling up. This is typically a difference of several cents per gallon, and it’s a feature fleet fuel cards rarely offer. Depending on the type of fuel you need and where your fleet travels, this could offer better savings than regular discounts per gallon.
- Gives access to cash prices at participating locations
- Especially useful at truck stops
- Allows custom spending limits for users
- Offers real-time transaction information through an app
Website: https://www.comdata.com/fleet-solutions/my-fleet-program/index
5. Pilot Fleet Card
Pilot’s fleet card, usually known as the Axle Fleet Card, is unlike most other fuel cards for truckers in the industry. Rather than offering direct savings on each gallon of gas, it provides up to 3% cashback (about 7.5c/gallon when gas costs $2.50) and allows flexible payment terms. Since the cashback is a percentage cost, this card becomes more valuable when fuel is more expensive.
That said, this fuel discount card is also restricted mainly to Pilot, Flying J, and One9 fuel stops. That’s a relatively low number of participating locations, so the Axle Fleet Card isn’t as viable for some companies as many other fleet cards are.
- Runs an extensive loyalty program, with additional points at some fuel stations
- Gives money back instead of discounts
- Helps provide access to discounts on truck maintenance
Website: https://pilotflyingj.com/fleet/
6. Universal Premium Fleet Card
As the name implies, the Universal Premium Fuel Card is designed for high-volume customers, with its maximum savings available to those who buy at least 30,000 gallons of gas. That’s more than some other fuel cards require, but it does incentivize staying within its program.
Other services for truckers and trucking companies include fraud loss coverage, performance analytics, and assistance in creating managed fuel programs. That last feature is relatively rare within the industry and helps the Universal Premium Fuel Card stand out from competitors.
- Includes a fuel card and Mastercard access
- Works nearly everywhere
- Provides up to a 5% discount for some types of maintenance
- Allows non-vehicle payments, with added controls
Website: https://www.universalpremiumcard.com/
7. TCS
TransConnect Services, usually abbreviated to TCS, offers clients an average savings of 63 cents per gallon. That’s incredible in an industry where many cards are less than 10 cents per gallon, and it helps this card instantly stand out from others. However, these savings are limited to participating stations, and there aren’t many.
Despite its geographic limitations, the TCS fuel card offers other useful services like snapshots on a dashboard, fueling location finders, and personalized account management services. This card is worth considering because of the potentially impressive savings, but check your intended routes to see if it makes sense for you.
- Designed for both companies and individual owner-operators
- Accessible through an app and a website
- Has one of the highest savings of all cards
- Available in both Canada and the United States
Website: https://www.tcsfuel.com/fuel-card-trucking-company/
8. Fleet One
The Fleet One Edge card is available in several ways, and it’s also sold under the EFS brand described above. Thanks to participating in the WEX network, Fleet One has several thousand in-network fueling stations and can provide extra savings on things like vehicle maintenance plans.
More importantly, this fuel card offers truckers an excellent balance between the number of stations that accept it and the amount saved for each gallon. This makes it highly competitive for most trucking companies and worth a look, even if you think another card is better. It’s always best to calculate the savings from each option instead of making assumptions.
- Has access to the WEX network
- Does not have fuel card transaction costs at most in-network stations
- Designed for companies with up to 50 trucks
- Has extra savings for internet and maintenance
Website: https://www.fleetone.com/
9. Voyager Fleet Card
Most fleet cards are offered by fueling companies or organizations dedicated entirely to running a fleet card program. The Voyager Fuel Card stands out from the crowd thanks to being proved by US Bank, which is about the fifth-largest bank in the United States. That’s a level of back-end support that few other companies can match.
Outside of its unusual ownership details, the Voyager Fuel Card allows for cardless payments, which is still relatively rare within the fuel card industry. The wide access to digital options supports fleet efficiency and account controls. This card works particularly well when buying tax-exempt diesel fuel but is also competitive for other transactions.
- Supported by US Bank
- Has an excellent mobile app
- Encourages routine maintenance by collecting detailed information
- Allows cardless payment options
Website: https://www.voyagercsifleet.com/
10. RTS Fuel Card
RTS stands out from the crowd by offering one of the largest fuel discounts in the fleet card industry. Like TCS, this is mainly because it has a small number of participating fueling stations and needs to incentivize people to visit them. The lack of contracts and annual fees makes it easy to use this card even if you’re also using other fuel cards.
However, what sets the RTS fuel card apart is its use of a weekly line of credit. These lines of credit are available per vehicle, offering significantly more flexibility regarding liquidity and getting fuel when you need it. Most fuel cards only provide these features separately, so some businesses may find this alone makes the RTS card worth using.
- Provides better savings than most competitors in the fuel card industry
- Optionally includes a weekly line of credit
- Further savings at some fuel stations
- Does not require a contract, or any annual fees
Website: https://www.rtsinc.com/product/fuel-discount-program
11. Multi Service Fuel Card
The Multi Service Fuel Card does not have a fixed or a variable discount rate, which is how most trucker fuel cards work. Instead, they negotiate discounts based on individual fleet performance. This makes it extremely hard to estimate their potential value to your company unless you contact them, so you should do that no matter what.
Outside of the unusual approach to fuel savings, the Multi Service Fuel Card is highly compatible with trucking software and can report most information in real-time. When possible, it collects metrics ranging from fuel types and additive percentages to merchant numbers and exact locations. All of this makes it easier to maximize a driver’s efficiency.
- Flexible discount options compared to other fueling cards
- Does not have transaction fees
- Offers 24/7 customer support
- Works with most types of truck control software
Website: https://www.multiservicefuelcard.com/truck-stops/
12. BP
The BP fuel card offers a variety of fleet cards. Its Business Solutions Mastercard stands out for larger trucking fleets. While a $10 monthly account fee is in place, this is waived if your fleet surpasses 5,000 gallons of monthly fuel card purchases.
Beyond fuel transactions, the card also extends utility by allowing payments for maintenance services. One notable feature is the secure 24/7 online access. It helps fleet managers with real-time insights into account information, reports, and statements.
The BPme mobile app, compatible with Android and iOS, adds a layer of control by enabling monitoring of drivers’ spending.
However, note that using a BP fuel card at non-BP or non-Amoco stations incurs a $2 transaction fee.
- Can be used at more than 6,800 Amoco and BP locations all over the US
- Advanced security features, including PIN protection against fraudulent use
- A wide variety of fuel cards are made for different fleet needs
- High-quality fuel availability on all refueling sites
- Competitive pricing
- Reward programs with redeemable points at all sites
Website: https://www.bpbusinesssolutions.com/mastercard-details/
14. Shell
Shell’s fuel cards for truckers present a range of options designed to deliver fuel savings. One notable feature is the potential for a rebate of 6 cents, providing a cost-saving element for fleet operators.
The Shell trucking fuel card comes with features that enhance control and oversight. Fleet managers can set purchase limits, enabling a more strategic approach to managing expenses. Additionally, detailed fuel reports offer valuable insights into fuel usage and expenditures, aiding in financial analysis and decision-making.
Simplicity is a key aspect of the offering, as evidenced by the easy online application process. This streamlines the onboarding experience for fleet operators, providing a hassle-free way to access the benefits of Shell’s fuel cards for truckers.
- Accepted at over 95% refueling points in the US and over 45,000 service locations
- Convenient account access using WEX Fleet SmartHub
- Purchase control security limit
- Remote activation and deactivation
- Detailed analytics and comprehensive reporting
Website: https://www.businessfleetsolutions.com/
Are Fuel Cards Worth It?
A fuel card’s worth depends upon the fleet’s size and the business’s requirements. You can take a look at the following benefits to decide:
- Cost Savings: Fuel cards often come with discounts, rebates, or rewards programs, offering potential cost savings on purchases.
- Expense Control: Fuel cards allow you to set spending limits, restrict purchases to specific categories (e.g., fuel only), and monitor transactions, providing better control over expenses.
- Convenience: Streamlined transactions and centralized reporting simplify administrative tasks, reducing paperwork and manual tracking.
- Detailed Reporting: Many fuel card programs offer detailed reports on fuel usage, enabling better insights into your fleet’s efficiency and helping with budgeting and planning.
- Security: Fuel cards are generally more secure than cash, and some offer fraud protection features, reducing the risk of unauthorized purchases.
Trucker Fuel Card Savings
Savings vary significantly between fleet cards, especially for truckers. Each card wants you to prioritize visiting stations that are in-network, but how they do so varies.
Some trucking businesses use several fuel cards simultaneously. This is particularly helpful if they don’t cost anything for you to use and you want to maximize access to different stations. However, you must research routes and costs to determine whether or not this makes sense for your business.
Most fuel card companies operate with one of two standard formats:
- Those with discounts over 10 cents per gallon
- Those with discounts under 7 cents per gallon
Those with discounts above 10 cents per gallon typically have fewer locations than other fuel cards. Note that a low number is relative – they could still have almost 2,000 fueling stops, which allows a lot of coverage. However, these companies may not have full coverage if you want to send your fleet nationwide.
Fuel card companies with lower discounts (typically 7 cents per gallon or less) usually have far more fueling stations than companies with higher discounts. The idea is that while you may not save as much per trip, saving almost anywhere could be a better deal than getting a huge discount at a smaller number of stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions people ask about fuel cards for truckers.
What Is A Fleet Card/Fuel Card?
Fleet cards are specialized payment cards that are exclusively for vehicle-related costs. This includes regular maintenance, tire replacements, and emergency repairs. However, most fuel cards are used primarily for gas (hence the name), and the cards compare based on the savings or benefits they can provide to customers visiting a participating fueling station.
Most benefits range from fuel discounts (either as rebates or directly-reduced costs at the pump) to help with oil changes or vehicle servicing. Some people refer to these cards as gas cards.
How Do Fuel Cards Work?
For truckers, fleet cards work similarly at the pump to how other payment cards operate. Transactions involve putting a card into a payment terminal, inputting any required information, and fueling up the vehicle. Unlike traditional gas stations, many locations for trucks also require inputting other data, such as the vehicle’s current odometer reading.
Such cards may also collect other data, such as how long you go between fuel stops, how much gas you purchase, and whether drivers are going between stations at fuel-efficient speeds. This helps form a clearer picture of drivers’ habits and can lead to significant savings over time.
Most cards show their true value when used at scale. If your company has dozens of trucks, a one-cent difference in fuel costs can equal significant savings over time. Most fuel cards provide comprehensive reports to help businesses isolate opportunities for saving money.
How Can You Get A Fuel Card?
Acquiring a fuel card for your truck is usually straightforward, but it may require verification to prove that you own or drive a truck. Most cards allow online signups, while others require calling the provider directly. This is especially true if you need to get multiple cards at once, which is typical for small and mid-sized trucking businesses.
Fleet card providers may also ask you for other information to help determine which benefits you’re eligible for. This is most true with the Multi Service Fleet Card because it offers individual discount plans, but other companies can also have complex regulations and guidelines detailing what benefits you’re eligible for.
What Are The Differences Between Credit Cards And Fuel Cards?
Credit cards are useful for purchasing almost anything, assuming you have enough credit for the transaction. Fleet cards are limited to vehicle-related transactions and often gather much more information about that transaction than credit cards ever do.
However, the line between these two isn’t completely clear. Some fleet cards also act as credit cards or even provide lines of credit that users can draw on. This gives far more flexibility to trucking businesses, especially if payments get delayed.
What Fuel Cards Are Accepted Everywhere?
Most fuel cards are almost accepted everywhere. Coast Fuel Cards, for instance, are accepted at all refilling points that use Visa. Similarly, WEX and Shell Fuel Cards are accepted at over 95% fuel stations in the US.
Conclusion
Whichever card fits your driving routine, transitioning from paying out of pocket towards using a specialized fuel card provides all truckers monetary benefits in the long run. Evaluate our analyses of fees, discounts, acceptance, and management tools to select the ideal fuel card to start optimizing your budget.