The 6 Best Fuel Cards for Truckers in 2024

A trucker looks out into the sunset as they're driving.

Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral.

According to our in-depth research, the best fuel card for truckers is the ExxonMobil FleetPro. Its discounts are tailored to diesel trucking fleets while its vast network of gas stations allows truckers to save across the country. Plus, costing $2 per month per vehicle fee, it is one of the cheapest fuel cards for truck drivers around.

Still, it might not suit every trucker, which is why we’ve included five other top-rated truck fuel card companies on this list, including the Shell Fleet Navigator.

If you’re short on time, use our free comparison tool directly to receive tailored quotes for your trucking fleet, or continue reading for our in-depth guide to fuel cards for truckers.

What Are the Best Fuel Cards for Truckers?

  1. ExxonMobil FleetPro — Best for diesel vehicles
  2. Shell Fleet Navigator — Best for network coverage
  3. Comdata Card Best for convenience
  4. Edenred Essentials — Best for security features
  5. BP Business Solutions Mastercard Best for large trucking fleets
  6. RTS Fleet One — Best for trucker discounts

These are the providers we recommend based on our research. Select one of the above providers to get a custom quote, or scroll down to the methodology section to learn more about how we rated and ranked these fuel card options. 

Best Fuel Cards For Truckers: Quick Summary

After analyzing the best fuel card programs for truckers in 2024, we rated them on the factors that matter to truck-driving fleets. That includes fees, rebates, coverage, and truck management features for fleet managers.

Click the arrows to compare each fuel card for truckers:

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

ExxonMobil FleetPro

Shell Fleet Navigator

Comdata Card

Edenred Essentials

BP Business Solutions Mastercard

RTS Fleet One

Card Fees
  • $2 per card, per month
  • $40 one-time setup fee
Card Fees
  • $2 per card, per month
  • $1.25 transaction fee at truck stops
  • $40 one-time setup fee
Card Fees
  • $8 per month
  • One-time $50 set-up fee
Card Fees
  • $3 per card, per month
  • $50 fee for late payment
  • Other fees apply
Card Fees
  • Account fee – up to $12 per account, per month
  • Late fee – $75 or 12.25% of the new balance
Card Fees
  • No card fees
Savings and Discounts

Fixed tariff for consistent gas prices

Savings and Discounts

Rebate of 1¢-5¢ per gallon

Savings and Discounts

Between 7¢-25¢ off per gallon, depending on station

Savings and Discounts

Rebate of 1¢-4¢ per gallon, based on fuel consumption

Savings and Discounts

Volume-based rebates, up to 7¢ per gallon

Savings and Discounts

Average rebate of 25¢ per gallon at selected stations

Network
  • 12,000+ Exxon and Mobil locations
  • 800+ commercial fueling stations
Network

95% of US stations, approx. 185,000

Network

15,000+

Network

Accepted anywhere that accepts Visa

Network

Over 7,000 sites

Network

Over 2,600 sites, including Pilot Flying J, Sapp Bros., Casey’s and more

See Pricing Visit Shell See Review Get free quotes Get free quotes Get free quotes

1. ExxonMobil FleetPro Card – Best for Diesel-Powered Vehicles

Exxon Mobil’s FleetPro card offers custom, fixed tariff pricing with discounts aimed at diesel which makes it an excellent choice for heavy-duty diesel-powered fleets.

ExxonMobil FleetPro
Pricing $2 monthly per card
Pros

Can be used for both gasoline and diesel vehicles

No surcharges when purchasing fuel

Weekly tariff fee structure makes it easier for businesses to forecast their fuel spend

Can be used to pay for a wide-array of vehicle-related expenses

Drivers can collect points and earn rewards

Cons

No fuel price comparison tool to compare different rates at different filling stations

Online portal doesn't provide any type of data visualisation

No possibility to restrict the type of fuel purchased using this card

No possibility to measure fuel efficiency

Pricing
Card feesSavings
$2 per month Fixed tariff gas rates

What rebate rates does the ExxonMobil FleetPro fuel card offer truckers?

Unlike the cards from Shell, Comdata, and Edenred, this card does not offer a rebate. Instead, it has a fixed tariff structure, meaning the price of gas is aligned with a tariff set by ExxonMobil. This is great for forecasting your spending and avoiding surprises at the month-end. You’ll need to contact ExxonMobil for a personalized tariff structure as this isn’t publically available.

There is no tariff guarantee, however, which means you’ll always pay the tariff fee, even if the price at the pump happens to be lower. Still, this should be a boon for truck fleet managers since it’s much easier to predict costs over the long run.

How much does the ExxonMobil FleetPro fuel card cost truckers?

The ExxonMobil FleetPro card has a monthly cost of $2, which is lower than any other card on our list – apart from RTS. Like most fuel cards, you’ll need to pay a $40 setup fee.

How can the ExxonMobil FleetPro card help truckers manage fuel expenses?

This card can help truckers keep a sharp eye on their fuel expenses because it offers useful insights into your gas spending data and allows you to view handy stats, such as miles per gallon (MPG) and miles driven in your Fleet Products Reports. This will allow you to know exactly where each dollar spent is being used.

It is specifically aimed at heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks and claims that its Synergy Diesel Efficient™ fuel is specially formulated to help your vehicles run cleaner for 2% improved efficiency. Overall, this will reduce the need for maintenance and downtime, while also improving the MPG of your truck.

A downside here is that it’s the only card that does not arrange gas expenses into interactive dashboards, so it can be a little hard to get an overview in a user-friendly style. Also, if you’re a green fleet, this card won’t help you track carbon emissions, unfortunately.

How easy is the ExxonMobil FleetPro card to use?

With a handy station locator, your drivers will be able to find stations in a range that accept the FleetPro card. The station locator does not offer insight into gas prices at each location, however, since this card has a fixed tariff you’ll already know what you’ll pay.

map of Exxon Mobil stations in the Dallas, US
Exxon Mobil's gas station map works a little differently to others in that you need to select your location and a radius of potential spots will appear, rather than be able to see all stations at once - Source: Expert Market

Exxon Mobil’s FleetPro has the added flexibility of being issued by Mastercard, so it can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted for non-fuel purchases. This card can be used to purchase toll fees, engine lubricants, maintenance, parking, and cleaning so you can keep all of those expenses in one place.

Did You Know?

ExxonMobil also offers a subscription to its Exxon Mobil Rewards+ scheme, earning you points with each purchase. Every 100 points you earn, is worth $1 in savings.

While this is great, FleetPro does not offer many discounts on vehicle accessories, hotel stays or food. And, unlike the Comdata and Shell Fleet Navigator cards, you cannot pay for gas at the pump with this card, which means drivers may lose time lining up in-store.

Is the ExxonMobil FleetPro card secure?

ExxonMobil’s FleetPro offers trustworthy security features, including unique driver IDs for each card and a pin-code requirement at the point of sale. Furthermore, you can keep an overview of your outgoings because the card offers the potential to set spending limits.

Although you can remotely block cards, the FleetPro does not allow you to restrict the type of gas purchased. This allows you less control and is a feature offered by Shell, Comdata, and Edenred. This card also does not send unusual activity alerts or offer fraud protection. If security is a priority, we recommend Edenred as a suitable alternative, as it checks all the boxes in this category.


2. Shell Fleet Navigator Best for Network Coverage

The Shell Fleet Navigator Card is an excellent choice for those fleets prioritizing coverage. This card is, naturally, accepted at all Shell locations as well as over 95% of all fuel stations nationwide.

The use of the card can also be geofenced, letting you customize your fuel network. But the extensive utility means no matter where truckers are on the road, they should find a spot to refuel.

Shell Logo
Shell Fleet Navigator
Pricing $2 monthly per card
Pros

Can be used for both gasoline and diesel vehicles

Accepted at the majority of filling stations in the US

Convenient 'pay at pump' function

Interactive dashboards to easily understand your fuel spend

Possibility to explain fuel efficiency with tacograph data

Cons

No fuel price comparison tool to compare different rates at different filling stations

Can be used without a pincode, which can be a security risk

No loyalty points and no notable discount perks on regularly purchased non-fuel expenses

Pricing
Card feesTransaction fees Rebate
$2 per month $1.25 per transaction at truck stops 1¢-5¢ per gallon

What rebate rates does the Shell Fleet Navigator fuel card offer truckers?

This card does not offer a fixed tariff so you won’t benefit from knowing your gas prices before filling up or being able to accurately forecast spending.

Alternatively, you’ll earn volume-based discounts depending on how many gallons you fill up, allowing you to save between 1¢ and 5¢ per gallon. To avoid extra surcharges, you may consider ExxonMobil’s FleetPro card, which has a low monthly fee of $2 and no surcharges.

How much does the Shell Fleet Navigator card cost truckers?

The Shell Fleet Navigator card costs $2 per month, per card, but there is also a surcharge of $1.25 added to each transaction at truck stops, which is not ideal for truckers who frequently stop at truck-friendly locations.

Late payment will also get you in trouble to the tune of $75 or 6.99% (whichever is greater). And as you may expect, there’s also a $40 setup fee.

How can the Shell Fleet Navigator card help manage truckers’ expenses?

With this card, you’ll get an overview of your outgoing gas expenses by calculating miles per gallon. You’ll also get clear insights into your spending data via interactive dashboards that arrange data into user-friendly charts.

How easy is the Shell Fleet Navigator card to use?

Shell Fleet Navigator helps you locate stations quickly and easily via the WEX Driver Dash app or by using its Shell Station Finder (pictured below), but it does not identify the lowest gas prices, whereas Comdata and RTS do.

Shell station map of the US, Canada and Mexico
Using the Shell's 'Gas Station Near Me' tool, you can easily see if there's solid coverage in the areas you drive within most often - Source: Expert Market

Truck drivers can also save time with the contactless pay-at-pump function, which could be crucial for truckers on tight schedules and delivery deadlines.

This card will not offer you discounts on hotel stays or food, nor can it be used for other expenses like toll fees, engine lubricants, maintenance, parking, or cleaning fees. You also cannot collect loyalty points with this card, as with ExxonMobil’s FleetPro. While its list of extra perks is pretty thin, you can enjoy a 20% discount at participating Jiffy Lube stores.

For extra savings, consider the RTS Fleet One card, which also gives you discounts on preventative maintenance, tires, and more.

Is the Shell Fleet Navigator card secure?

If there is fraudulent spending on the fuel card, you have the power to block it remotely. It also requires each card to be assigned to a unique driver ID, allowing you to track who is spending what. It also allows you to exercise control over purchasing from afar, with a spending limit feature as well as the ability to place restrictions on the types of gas purchased.

It is worth noting that the Shell Fleet Navigator card does lack a few basic security features: no pin code is required at the point of sale, nor does it alert you of unusual activity or offer fraud protection, which can be cause for concern. If robust security features are what you require, Edenred Essentials has the best security features for truck fleets.

Did You Know?

Trucking fleets are responsible for transporting 72.5% of America’s freight by weight.


3. Comdata Card Best for Convenience

The Comdata Card is one of our top picks for convenience-loving truckers. Across its four card options, Comdata offers time-saving tools such as automatically finding and paying for CAT Scale transactions and connecting your truckers with mobile fueling vendors, so they can get fuel delivered straight to themwhen they need it.

While each card has individual benefits, they all have fuel discounts, spending controls via its provided software, and advanced fraud protection.

Comdata Card
Pricing $8 monthly per card
Strengths

Comes with an excellent app, FleetAdvance, which helps truckers find cheap fuel

Gives you access to a variety of useful tools and apps

Get 65% off tires and retreads

Weaknesses

Higher fees than some competitors

No miles per gallon data

No carbon emissions data

Pricing
Card FeesRebate
$8 per month 7¢-25¢ per gallon
$50 sign up fee

What rebate rates does the Comdata Card offer truckers?

Depending on the filling station you visit, you can access rebates between 7¢ to 25¢ per gallon, one of the largest savings of all the cards we researched. While ExxonMobil, Shell, and Edenred’s cards are cheaper, as we’ll detail shortly, we reckon the Comdata perks could be worth it depending on your fuel spend.

How much does the Comdata Card cost truckers?

The Comdata Card has a significantly higher fee than other cards at $8 per card, per month. On top of that, there’s a one-off $50 sign-up fee.

Luckily, there are no extra surcharges with this card, although you’ll need to be mindful of late payments as you could incur a larger fee than most providers: $150 or 13.99% fee (whichever is greater).

How can the Comdata Card help truckers manage expenses?

Comdata’s FleetAdvance app grants you an overview of your funds and the interactive dashboards display your expenses in a user-friendly chart, ensuring clarity over your expenses. Unfortunately, this card does not allow users to calculate miles per gallon, which is a key factor in gaining an overview of fuel efficiency. It also does not provide carbon emissions data.

How easy is the Comdata Card to use?

Truckers can benefit from a station locator in the DrivenforComdata app, which highlights stations with the biggest savings.

We found it took a little while (around 15 seconds) to load the app with updated prices when searching in a new area, but once loaded you’ll be able to see the price for fuel at each station. You can also filter by amenities, location features (such as tire repair or truckers stores), type, and station brand, too.

comdata smartphone application showing a map of fuel prices at US gas stations on the comdata app
The DrivenforComdata app is incredibly handy to see where the cheapest gas is located in your nearest area - Source: Expert Market

Comdata’s partnership with CAT scales is also highly convenient since truckers can get their trucks weighed or refueled without needing to leave their usual routes.

As an extra, Comdata can also provide you with low-cost radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be used at 100s of stations US-wide for cardless fueling that uses the same controls, data, and prompts as a physical card. This also allows drivers to pay for gas at the pump, saving lots of time in the process.

This card is flexible when it comes to paying for other expenses beyond just gas. You can also pay for toll fees, engine lubricants, vehicle maintenance, parking, and cleaning fees with this card. As well as that, you can get discounts on tires and hotel stays but unfortunately not on food. Since you can make a lot of purchases on this card, it would be great if Comdata offered a loyalty program to maximize savings but as of yet, there is not one available.

Is the Comdata Card secure?

Even though it does not have a PIN code function, the Comdata card has many other impressive security features. You can maintain complete control over your fuel purchases by setting spending limits on each card, and you can restrict certain fuel types, ensuring the correct type is bought. Each card will also need to be individually registered to assigned drivers, so you’ll be aware of how much each driver spends.

This card goes further in its security measures than Shell and ExxonMobil with its unusual activity alerts, and it allows truckers to block the card remotely. If you have less than 10 fuel cards, you’ll also receive fraud protection of up to $50 in case of misuse.


4. Edenred Essentials Best for Security Features

Offering two service tiers, the Edenred Essentials fuel card is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for a card that scores highly for security features.

You can spend at any Visa-compatible gas, meaning it has extremely wide acceptance. And while it has lower fuel discounts per gallon than some competitors like Comdata and RTS, it does have more advanced real-time management controls than those options.

Edenred Essentials logo
Edenred Essentials
Pricing $3 monthly per month
Pros

Use for diesel, gasoline, EVs, non-fuel purchases at anywhere that accepts Visa

High security including pin codes and EMV chips

Detailed interactive dashboard showing fuel spend information

Cons

Lower rebate per gallon than some other fuel cards

Foreign transaction fees (3%)

No live chat customer support

Pricing
Card fees Rebate
$3 1¢-4¢ per gallon

What rebate rates does the Edenred Essentials fuel card offer truckers?

Rather than working with fixed tariffs or tariff guarantees, with Edenred’s Essentials card, you’ll pay the regular gas station rate, which can of course fluctuate.

It provides savings in the form of rebates, which vary according to volume but average around 25¢ per gallon. Fixed tariffs are typically better for forecasting your spending and if this is a feature you’d prefer, the ExxonMobil FleetPro card offers this.

How much does the Edenred Essentials card cost truckers?

The Edenred Essentials card will set you back $3 per month, per registered card, placing it in the middle of our six options in terms of monthly expense.

As with ExxonMobil, Comdata, and Shell, if you don’t pay your balance on time, you’ll receive a $50 late fee. However, as far as we can tell from our online research, there is no setup fee with Edenred which is a nice little saving.

How can the Edenred Essentials card help manage truckers’ expenses?

Its interactive dashboard and data visualization features allow for easy viewing of your fuel expenses and miles per gallon. Coupled with rebates, this should help you keep a handle on your expenses. Despite this card being valid to pay for electric vehicle charging it does not offer other green features such as carbon emissions data.

How easy is Edenred Essentials to use?

Edenred Essentials can be used for more than just fuel. You can also pay for toll fees, engine lubricants, maintenance, parking, and cleaning, allowing you to keep all your expenses on one card.

On the other hand, there are no discounts available on vehicle accessories, hotel stays, or food with this card. There is also no Edenred-branded loyalty program, but you can get an extra 4¢ per gallon off your gas spend at Casey’s General stores, a great bonus if you operate in the Midwest.

Since it’s issued by Visa, the Edenred Essentials card has great network coverage. Truck drivers will be able to fill up even in remote or less-populated areas of the US.

As well as gasoline and diesel, it can also be used for filling up electric vehicles, so it’s an ideal choice for fleet managers working with EVs or hybrid vehicles or who are looking to electrify in the future.

Unfortunately, it does not offer a station locator tool or a fuel comparison function. If that’s a deal breaker for you, consider the Comdata Card, which allows you to locate stations with the biggest savings.

Annoyingly, there is also no pay-at-pump function, which can affect your drivers’ time on the road.

Is Edenred Essentials secure?

You can be safe in the knowledge that Edenred Essentials offers watertight security features. Each card is assigned a unique ID to the driver, who must then enter a PIN code when making purchases. With a variety of remote functions, such as spending limits, limits on fuel types, remote card blocking, fraud protection, and unusual activity alerts, you can stay in control via an easy-to-use dashboard on your phone or computer.

Not only this, the card itself is also an EMV chip card. These cards are more secure than magnetic stripe cards as they are basically impossible to clone, and transactions cannot be replayed.


5. BP Business Solutions Mastercard Best Benefits for Large Trucking Fleets

We like BP’s Business Solutions Mastercard for larger trucking fleets because, while it does come with a monthly $12 account fee, that fee is waived if your fleet buys more than 5,000 gallons of fuel each month – which shouldn’t be too difficult for a large fleet of heavy-duty trucks. Equally, if you are a trucker who makes lengthy journeys each month, this fuel card could appeal to you, too.

BP Logo
BP Business Solutions Mastercard
Pricing $12 per month
Strengths

Earn rebates of up to 7 cents per gallon for the first 12 months of using your cards

You can schedule payments to be made when convenient to your business

Can be used at stations that accept Mastercard credit cards

Weaknesses

You'll pay up to $2 per transaction at stations that aren't BP or Amoco

No mobile gas station locator app

Pricing
Card feesRebate
$12 monthly fee Up to 7¢ per gallon
Price change at BP

Monthly fees for the BP Business Solutions Mastercard have gone up. You now pay $12 per month, up from $10, if you purchase less than 5,000 gallons.

What rebate rates does the BP Business Solutions Mastercard fuel card offer truckers?

Rather than working with a fixed tariff system, the BP Business Solutions fuel card provides rebates on gas. The terms and conditions make it clear that the rebate offer (of up to 7¢ per gallon) can be subject to change after your first 12 months of the contract, which means that you cannot count on maintaining the same level of savings in the future.

Furthermore, this card is not the best for diesel-powered vehicles, since the rebate on diesel is capped at 3.5¢. A better choice for diesel-based trucking fleets would be ExxonMobil, which aims its discounts at diesel.

How much does the BP Business Solutions Mastercard cost truckers?

This BP Business Solutions Mastercard comes with zero monthly fees if it is used to buy more than 5,000 gallons of fuel per month. That means large trucking fleets, or truck drivers who travel long distances, will find great value in this card.

If you buy less than that, you’ll pay a $12 account fee each month. It’s unclear whether this charge is per overall account or individual card, so that may be worth checking if your fleet consumes less than 5,000 gallons per month.

If you pay your balance late, you’ll have a $75 or 12.25% (whichever is larger) late fee to pay on your new balance. The latest documentation doesn’t list a setup fee, so it appears the BP Business Solutions Mastercard no longer requires one in 2024 (previously it was $50 per account).

How can the BP Business Solutions Mastercard help manage truckers’ expenses?

This card offers ample opportunity to stay on top of your expenses. These include tracking per gallon, cost per mile, the ability to set purchasing limits, as well as transaction reports. The ability to rapidly reduce your accounting time via BP’s portal is a plus as it will leave you with more time to focus on core business operations.

How easy is the BP Business Solutions Mastercard to use?

While the card can be used for fuel purchases anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, the purchase will be subject to an out-of-network transaction fee if it is not a BP or Amoco branded station. Luckily, there is a handy station finder, allowing drivers to locate a branded station and avoid those extra fees.

BP Business Solutions Mastercard can be obtained via FleetCards USA, which offers a variety of fuel card solutions for different needs. Read our full review of FleetCards USA to learn more about what’s on offer.

Is the BP Business Solutions Mastercard secure?

With the BP Business Solutions Mastercard, you can keep track of when your cards are used, who they are used by, and how much they’ve spent. Their driver identification feature allows you to maintain an overview of individual driver spending. If one of your cards is lost or stolen, you can deactivate it immediately, preventing any misuse. It is not clear whether this card requires a pin-code to be used, or whether it offers any compensation in the case of fraud.

Did You Know?

The BP Business Solutions Mastercard has one of the smallest networks, with approximately 7,000 stations where rebates apply. Namely, as you see on the map below, it has no stations between the western Midwest states to the Pacific coastline. That’s almost half of the country without a BP gas station.

In comparison, Shell has a massive network of 185,000 stations, which covers 95% of the country.

BP stations map with green markers showing location
BP has the vast majority of its stations located on the eastern side of the US. Past the western Midwestern states like Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota (going east to west), all the way to the Pacific coast, there are no other BP stations - Source: BP

6. RTS Fleet One Best Rebates for Truckers

Although its fuel cards for truckers have a very small network of about 2,000 US stations, RTS cardholders get superb average savings of 25 cents per gallon of fuel at those locations, all without paying a cent in return.

RTS Logo
RTS Fleet One Fuel Card
Pricing $0 per month
Strengths

Integrates with ProTransport fleet management software for trucks

The RTS Pro apps lets truckers plan routes, find the lowest diesel prices, and check parking, dining, and more info at truck stops

Get up to $2,500 line of credit per truck, per week

Weaknesses

Has a small network of 2,000+ stations, which means there may not be coverage in your area

Doesn't offer the ability to block cards or receive transaction alerts

Pricing
Card feesRebateTransaction fees
$0 Up to 25¢ per gallon 50¢ per transaction

What rebate rates does the RTS Fleet One fuel card offer truckers?

The RTS Fleet One Fuel Card offers extremely high rebates of up to 25¢ per gallon, far above competitor rates like the 5¢ peak of the Shell Fleet Navigator card or Edenred Essentials 4¢ max rebate.

While much more lucrative, it has a much smaller gas station network than giants such as Shell, whose card can be used at more than 185,000 stations. With the RTS Fleet One Fuel Card, you’ll be limited to a network of only 2,400 stations.

Still, these big savings should appeal particularly to independent truckers or small trucking fleets that want to maximize their spending, especially given its cost, as we’ll detail next.

How much does the RTS Fleet One Fuel Card cost truckers?

There are no annual or monthly fees with any RTS Fuel Card, including the RTS Fleet One. In other words, they are completely free to use, including no transaction fees. It’s not transparent about what sorts of other fees it does take, however, with this information not available online.

How else can the RTS Fleet One Fuel Card help manage truckers’ expenses?

With extra savings at Pilot Flying J and a generous line of credit of up to $3,200 per truck, per week, this card is full of extras if you’re willing to forfeit a large network of stations.

By signing up with RTS, you can save on fuel and other fleet-related costs, such as preventative maintenance, tire costs, and other truck care services. One thing that is unclear is whether you’ll have insights into stats such as MPG, which some other cards such as the ExxonMobil FleetPro card and Shell Fleet Navigator do offer.

How easy is the RTS Fuel Card to use?

With the RTS Pro app, your drivers can access a comprehensive program that will allow them to manually find nearby filling stations and locate those with the lowest fuel rates. However, it does not allow drivers to find stations along a route, which is not the most intuitive. A plus is that the app allows you to view credit data, fuel discounts, and more.

Is the RTS Fuel Card secure?

Unlike Edenred’s tight security measures, there is no information about its security features, such as a PIN code or fraud prevention for the RTS Fuel Card. The RTS Pro app, however, allows you to store all invoices in an online factoring account, which can help you keep all your finances in one easy-access, private location.

RTS app showing map and station data
The RTS Pro app handily displays all the information you need about relevant gas stations, and even shows you which stations you will pass on your chosen route - Source: Expert Market
Did You Know?

The RTS Fuel Card will also get you exclusive discounts on preventative maintenance, tires, and more at 90 truck care locations, including Pilot Flying J, Boss Shop, and Sapp Bros, a great plus for trucking fleets. You can also get discounts of 35% off your fuel tax software.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Truckers Using a Fuel Card?

As a trucking fleet owner-operator looking to drive extra savings at the gas pump, you may be considering what advantages and disadvantages fuel cards have over other methods like credit cards or cash. Let’s take a look.

Advantages of Truckers Using a Fuel Card

  • Diesel discounts
    • Fuel cards usually offer significant discounts on diesel purchases, between 3-25 cents per gallon on average which racks up significant savings over time. Credit cards rarely offer fuel-specific discounts.
    • Since trucks consume significantly more fuel than regular vehicles, fuel cards often offer volume-based discounts or rebates, which can lead to substantial savings for trucking fleets that often cover long distances. Regular fleets, by comparison, don’t see as much of a benefit since fuel consumption tends to be lower.
  • Simplified transactions and accounting for truck fleet managers
    • Fuel card transactions are often simpler – just swipe and go. That’s a major time-saver for truckers who are often on strict delivery deadlines. Also, some fuel card providers offer accounting features and end-of-month invoicing, which takes the sting out of time-consuming bookkeeping.
  • Better spend management for long-haul trucking
    • With fuel cards, fleet managers can set detailed spending limits and restrictions on where, when, and how much fuel truckers buy. This prevents fraudulent transactions and overspending, essential for long-haul trucking which could rack up big purchases on typically extended trips.
  • Driver convenience and safety for truckers
    • Truckers benefit from not needing to carry large amounts of cash on the road, nor purchase gas on their own accounts and claim the money back. This simplifies accounting and it’s safer for your truck drivers when they’re on the road. Especially when traveling through remote or high-risk areas.
  • Extra rewards tailored for truckers
    • Some fuel cards offer rewards specifically for truck drivers, such as discounts on truck maintenance services, tires, and free parking at truck stops. This allows truck drivers to save on these essential services during long trips. You’ll also get bonuses relevant to all fleets, such as cash back. Rewards are also common with credit cards but perhaps not fleet-specific.
    • You may be able to use third-party discount schemes to score extra savings. For instance, signing up with GasBuddy allows you to find the cheapest gas prices in your area. Meanwhile, Upside allows you to earn cashback on your debit, credit, or fleet card purchases at a variety of locations.

Disadvantages of Truckers Using a Fuel Card

There aren’t many downsides to using a fuel card over a regular credit card, but some might pop up depending on what fuel card you choose.

  • Limited network coverage for trucking routes
    • Not all cards are universally accepted. Your truck drivers may not be able to fill up at the closest station, instead having to drive further than necessary. And that’s especially a problem if a driver is in a remote area. Luckily, some fuel cards have close to universal acceptance rates. For example, the ExxonMobil FleetPro card can be used at any station that accepts Mastercard, which covers most of the U.S.
  • Monthly bills and fees for trucking fleets
    • Most fuel cards aren’t free to use, unlike cash. You’ll typically have to pay monthly or yearly use fees, transactions, and in some cases service fees or top-up fees, if a driver’s card runs out. For trucking fleets with multiple drivers, these costs can add up over time. It’s important to balance these costs against the savings and benefits provided by the card to ensure it’s cost-effective for the fleet.

Interested in more solutions for truckers? See our picks for the best truck driver dashcams.

How to Choose the Best Fuel Card for Truckers

Here’s how to choose the best fuel card for truck-driving fleets:

  • Costs: on average, fuel card costs $2-$10 per month, per card. Cheaper options will suit small trucking fleets best, while more expensive options might suit large truck-centered fleets since they tend to come with better discounts and rewards.
  • Discounts and rewards: The main advantage of using a fuel card is for discounts at the pump. Typically, the more fuel you consume per month, the greater the discount will be. But if you don’t consume a lot of fuel, don’t worry, some fuel cards offer extra rewards such as discounts for servicing and maintenance, or cashback. You should select the fuel card whose rewards will most benefit your fleet.
  • Spending management features: Another key advantage of fleet cards is that they allow you to track your truckers’ spending. If you have a medium to large fleet, you might benefit from advanced features like fraud detection. If your drivers conduct long-haul trips, choosing a fuel card that can also be used at hotels or for purchasing food at gas stations could help you manage spending.
  • Network coverage: Not to be overlooked, network coverage is extremely important when choosing a fuel card. If your fleet operates nationwide, you’ll need a fuel card with at least 95% coverage. If you’re local, you’ll do just fine with a card that has reduced coverage, as long as the gas stations it can be used at are plentiful where your fleet operates.

Our Methodology: How Did We Find the Best Fuel Cards for Truckers?

We researched 13 fleet fuel cards to evaluate them in terms of how affordable they are, and if they have features that can help control and manage fuel spending, all so we could provide the most useful recommendations to US fleets.

Our rigorous testing process means these cards have been scored and rated in five main categories of investigation and 13 subcategories – this means 43 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our algorithm.

Our main testing categories for fleet fuel cards are:

  • Security: Refers to the measures in place by the card provider to ensure the safety and protection of your information.
  • Customer Support: Includes the assistance the card provider offers, such as phone support, email or chat support, documentation, knowledge bases, and online forums.
  • Expense Management: Refers to the features of the fleet fuel card, such as transaction tracking, expense reporting, receipt storage, integration with accounting systems, and customizable expense categories.
  • Convenience: Refers to the ease of use and accessibility of the fleet fuel card, including factors such as the acceptance network of gas stations, availability, price comparison tool, contactless payment at pumps, and more.
  • Card Specific Information: Refers to the details associated with the fleet fuel card itself, such as card fees, accepted fuel type, card type, fee structure, network coverage, plus the cards' potential to pay for items and services other than gas.
Verdict

Gas and diesel price fluctuations over recent years show just how important it is to keep a close eye on business fuel expenses and try to reduce fuel costs. That’s especially true for truck-driving fleets that consume more fuel, cover larger distances, and therefore spend more on running costs than regular car or van-heavy fleets.

If you’re a truck fleet owner-operator, or simply need access to spend monitoring, our favorite fuel card for truckers is the ExxonMobil FleetPro card.

With FleetPro’s fixed tariff structure, you’ll always know in advance the exact fuel rate anywhere your drivers decide to refill, allowing you a clear overview of your fuel expenditure. Specifically designed with heavy-duty fleets in mind, this card offers many rewards aimed at diesel-powered vehicles as well as offering premium diesel fuel.

Despite its benefits, ExxonMobil’s station network falls a little short with only 13,000 stations US-wide although it can be used for non-fuel purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted. For truckers covering more ground, look to Shell’s Fleet Navigator because Shell’s network covers 95% of the US with access to 185,000 stations.

If you need clear pricing for your particular business, simply fill in this quick form and we’ll ask fleet fuel card experts to get in touch with you. Then you can forget about the guesswork by receiving specific price quotes per fuel card.

Answer a Few Questions To Get Free Quotes From the Best Fuel Card Suppliers for You – It Only Takes a Minute

Frequently asked questions

Are there any fuel cards for truckers with bad credit?
Yes. Good news – many fuel card suppliers separate business credit from personal credit, so a bad personal credit rating does not have to stop you from empowering your commercial operation with a fuel card program. However, you should be aware that companies may add on extra fees if they deem your account to be high-risk. You can also check out a prepaid fuel card, which works like a debit card so entirely separate from credit scores.
How can a trucking company apply for and manage multiple fleet cards for their drivers and vehicles?
  1. Firstly, choose a provider that offers an online application and account management portal. During the application process, specify the number of cards needed.
  2. You’ll then have to submit required documentation such as driver’s licenses, DOT numbers, and vehicle registration information.
  3. Finally, you can request cards for each driver. Most providers allow customizable limits and restrictions per card/driver so you can have maximum visibility over spending.

The online portals make it fairly simple to manage multiple fleet cards at once. The key is applying proper controls and regularly monitoring driver usage.

How many fuel cards can a trucking fleet order?
There is no specific limit on how many fleet fuel cards a trucking company can apply for and manage. The number of cards that can be issued depends on the policies and capabilities of the fleet card provider or may be based on how many drivers or vehicles are in the fleet.
Written by:
Matt Reed is a Senior Writer at Expert Market. Adept at evaluating products, he focuses mainly on assessing fleet management and business communication software. Matt began his career in technology publishing with Expert Reviews, where he spent several years putting the latest audio-related products and releases through their paces, revealing his findings in transparent, in-depth articles and guides. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism from City, University of London, Matt is no stranger to diving into challenging topics and summarising them into practical, helpful information.
Reviewed by:
Maïté Bouhali
Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.