The best fuel cards for truckers have a massive network of gas stations and truck stops, offer discounts, and are ideal for different fleet sizes. As gas costs continue to increase, trucking businesses can use fuel cards to improve fuel efficiency and profit. To select the top fuel cards for truckers, we analyzed their coverage, limitations, features, and additional fees.
Best Fuel Cards for Truckers
To improve the efficiency of your fleets and business, take a look at our recommendations for the best fuel cards for truckers.
WEX Fleet Fuel Cards
- Best for: National network
- Pricing: No setup fees; fees for other services not shared publicly
With excellent nationwide coverage, WEX is one of the most rewarding fleet cards, with acceptance at 95% of fueling stations in the U.S. You can use its automated accounting tools such as fuel expense tracking and purchase alerts to streamline accounting. With custom reports and multiple ways to access your account, WEX makes it easy to manage your operations. You can choose from several fleet card options to find the one that matches your unique needs.
Special features:
- Robust reporting on fuel spending
- Mobile payments
Benefits:
- Accepted at every major U.S. fuel station and more than 45,000 service locations
- Easy payments
- Spending controls
- Great app for drivers
- Specialized cards for different fleet sizes
Disadvantages:
- Not the best option for savings
- Unknown fees for certain cards
Coast Fuel Card
- Best for: Total rewards
- Pricing: $4 per user each month
The Coast Fuel Card is a convenient gas card for truckers that is accepted anywhere that takes Visa. You can use it for gas, restaurants, hotels and more. You’ll even get cash back on non-fuel purchases, as well as discounts on fuel. Coast offers an intuitive platform that allows you to track spending, set controls and manage your fleet cards.
Special features:
- Discounts at select businesses
- Rewards on non-fuel purchases
- Easy controls and security settings for all fleet cards and users
- Spending reports
Benefits:
- Centralized fleet spending on one account
- No personal guarantee
- Efficient customer service
- Purchase and expense tracking
Disadvantages:
- No published APR
ExxonMobil Business Pro
- Best for: Fleets of up to 15 vehicles
- Pricing: No monthly fees for in-network purchases
An ExxonMobil Business Pro fleet card provides fleet owners greater visibility and control when it comes to fuel costs. With their Driver Dash app, paying at the pump is faster and more secure.
Special features:
- No APR
- Accepted at more than 95% of U.S. fueling stations
- Real-time excessive spending alerts
- 24/7 customer support
Benefits:
- Earn points to redeem for fuel or convenience store purchases
- Set limits on card use by day, time, location, product, and more
- Real-time reports for managing vehicle-related expenses
- Exxon Synergy gasoline gives better gas mileage with lower emissions
Disadvantages:
- Points expire after one year
- No points or discounts for purchases other than gas
- Cards can’t be used for maintenance, tires, or repairs
Shell Fleet Navigator
- Best for: Large, interstate fleets that need near-universal fuel acceptance
- Pricing: Tiered rebates up to 5¢/gal at Shell stations; $2/card monthly fee plus setup and transaction fees
A Shell Fleet Navigator card (now marketed as Shell Card Business Flex) gives fleet managers real-time visibility into fuel spend, broad network coverage at about 95% of U.S. fueling stations, and powerful controls to help keep large fleets on budget and on the road.
Special features:
- Accepted at nearly 13,000 Shell stations and about 95% of U.S. fueling locations
- Tiered rebates up to 5¢ per gallon at participating Shell stations, with extra savings at select B2B Network locations
- Advanced fraud tools including PIN-only purchases, real-time alerts, and the ability to suspend or deactivate cards instantly
- Support for both fuel and on-the-go EV charging on a single card (rolling out across the network)
Benefits:
- Built for large, cross-country fleets that need flexible routing without hunting for in-network stations
- Online dashboards and automated reports reduce time spent on expense reports and fuel reconciliation
- Customizable controls let you set limits by driver, time of day, fuel type, location, and more
- 24/7 customer support, a dedicated account manager, and maintenance discounts of up to 20% at participating Jiffy Lube locations
Disadvantages:
- Monthly card fee, one-time setup fee, and certain truck stop or out-of-network transaction fees can eat into rebates
- Maximum rebate of 5¢ per gallon is lower than some competing fleet cards
- Tiered rebates and caps on savings may limit value for very high-volume or highly price-sensitive fleets
AtoB Fuel Card
- Best for: Lowering fuel costs
- Pricing: $3 per active card per month
AtoB fuel cards are taken anywhere that Visa is accepted. You can track your driver’s live transactions and set spending limits within the AtoB dashboard in just a few clicks. Plus, eliminate fuel fraud through the company's telematics integration and custom card controls. AtoB works for other vehicle expenses, too. You can access exclusive discounts on vehicle repairs, maintenance, tires, vehicle washes, and more.
AtoB works with all types of trucking company fuel management strategies and can handle the needs of any business's vehicle fleet.
Special features:
- Discounts on non-fuel expenses
- No out-of-network stations
- Truckers can use the AtoB fuel card for any truck and vehicle-related business expenses outside of fuel costs
- No additional hidden fees
Benefits:
- Secure Card Unlock through the AtoB Driver App to ensure cards are only used by authorized drivers
- Optimal Station Selection to enforce drivers to fuel at the most affordable stations
- No hidden fees
- You can impose spending limits, operational hours, whitelist and blacklist merchants, and more
- No credit score is required to sign up
- Accessible through an app
Disadvantages:
- Weekly billing
What is a Fuel Card for Truckers?
It's a specialized credit card that allows truck drivers and trucking companies to purchase fuel and other services at in-network truck stops and gas stations. The main benefits are discounted pricing through the card network, enabling fleet owners to more easily take advantage of tax exemptions, and robust expense tracking and reporting.
Major fuel cards are accepted at thousands of truck stops, travel centers, and gas stations across the U.S, while smaller providers partner with regionally-based merchants. Many fuel card providers negotiate discounts on fuel and services from their merchant networks, or even allow payment for truck maintenance, repairs, and other on-road expenses.
To help control costs, trucking companies and owner operators get detailed reports tracking fuel purchases, mileage, and other expenses for accounting and tax purposes. They can also set purchase limits, product restrictions, and driver limits on cards to keep an eye on spending.
How Do Fuel Cards for Truckers Work?
Fuel cards are issued by companies to their drivers or employees for purchasing fuel. These cards are linked to a specific fuel card account or fleet management system. When a driver needs to refuel, they present the fuel card at a participating fuel station.
Transaction details such as the date, time, location, and amount of fuel purchased are recorded for analysis and reporting purposes. Fuel cards allow companies to better control and monitor fuel expenses while gaining valuable insights into fuel consumption patterns.
6 Things Truckers Should Consider with Fuel Cards
Choosing the right fuel card for your company can be a tedious, confusing process. Here are some things to consider in your search for the best fuel cards for truckers:
1. Savings and Limitations
Fuel cards will save truckers plenty of money, but some can be restrictive. For instance, some cards only pay rewards if they are used at company-branded gas stations.
2. Location
Many fuel cards are company branded, which means their use is restricted to company-owned stations. If you’re located on the East Coast, make sure to choose a card provider that has sufficient terminals or stations in the area that will honor the card.
3. Fuel
Most fuel cards for truckers are for diesel or mixed-use, but some companies have unleaded-only fleets. Make sure you understand which type of card they offer. You can also choose a pump-price or fixed-price card.
4. Hidden Costs
Even if the card has no monthly fee, there may be other fees involved. Some companies charge fees for account setup, transactions, invoices, reports, late payments, underspending/overspending, or handling fees.
5. Taxes
Fuel cards can be a great tool for keeping track of fuel expenditures for tax purposes. The card program will generally provide a printed or downloadable annual or quarterly report to use for tax reports and refunds. This report also simplifies quarterly IFTA filing.
6. Company vs. Personal Fuel Cards
Fuel cards are offered to companies rather than individuals because the rewards are based on monthly fuel use. The fuel card must be registered with a company. Most cards also have a minimum spend limit per month.
Unique Fuel Management Considerations by Region
You should take the unique fuel management challenges of your region into consideration as you narrow down the best trucking fuel cards. Keep the following points in mind as you decide which fueling solutions make sense for your trucking operations.
Midwest
Truckers operating in the Midwest face several fuel management challenges. Extreme weather changes, particularly in winter, could require the use of winter-grade fuel and maintenance of antifreeze levels to optimize fuel efficiency.
Traffic congestion in major cities like Chicago and Detroit can be a problem, so route planning and navigation tools are essential to avoid rush-hour delays. Efficient load management, minimization of engine idling, and regular truck maintenance are critical factors to consider.
Moreover, exploring discounts from diesel fuel cards at regional truck stops and fueling stations can provide cost savings. Fuel monitoring systems and the use of alternative fuels like natural gas or propane can also help keep prices down.
Northeast
The Northeast is notorious for heavy traffic, particularly around major cities like New York and Boston. It's crucial to plan routes that avoid peak traffic hours and use GPS or navigation apps for real-time congestion updates.
Drivers in the Northeast experience diverse weather conditions, from hot summers to cold winters, which can impact fuel efficiency. Using appropriate fuel blends and ensuring the truck's heating and cooling systems are in optimal condition are essential. Additionally, toll roads and bridges in the Northeast makes it important to use toll calculators and transponders for cost-effective route planning.
Keep a close eye on fuel prices, take advantage of discount fuel cards with rewards programs, and employ routing software that considers traffic, road conditions, and fuel stops to maximize fuel efficiency.
Southeast
The warm climate of the Southeast can affect fuel efficiency, making it crucial to maintain proper tire pressure and engine cooling systems. Due to the size of the region, route planning is essential to avoid unnecessary miles and fuel consumption.
Additionally, keep an eye on fuel prices, as they can vary widely. Use a fuel card for trucking that offers discounts at regional truck stops.
The Southeast is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, so stay informed about weather conditions to plan safe and efficient routes. Minimizing engine idling and adhering to proper maintenance schedules are vital to conserving fuel. Lastly, provide driver training on fuel-efficient driving techniques to further optimize fuel management in the Southeast.
Southwest
The Southwest’s hot and arid climate can impact fuel efficiency, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure and cooling systems to prevent overheating. Due to the vast desert landscapes, efficient route planning becomes crucial to minimize miles driven and fuel consumption.
Keep a close watch on fuel prices, as they can fluctuate across the Southwest. Look for commercial truck fuel cards that offer discounts at regional truck stops. Prepare for extreme temperature variations, as desert nights can be surprisingly cold.
Additionally, the Southwest is prone to monsoon rains and dust storms, so stay informed about weather conditions to plan safe and efficient routes.
West
The vast and diverse geography of the West presents varying terrain and elevations, which can impact fuel efficiency. Planning routes that minimize steep grades and taking advantage of downhill stretches for coasting can save fuel.
This region also experiences fluctuating fuel prices, so it's smart to monitor and use fuel cards for truck drivers with regional discounts are wise strategies. Additionally, consider the long distances between fuel stops in some areas, and plan refueling carefully to avoid running out of fuel.
Keeping an eye on weather conditions, especially in mountainous regions, is essential for safety and efficient route planning. Implementing fuel monitoring systems, reducing engine idling, and adhering to regular maintenance schedules are fundamental practices for fuel conservation.
FAQ
Are fuel cards worth it?
The main benefit of fuel cards is that they present savings in the form of rewards. They also provide convenience and help companies to manage their fuel expenditures.
Is fuel cheaper with a fuel card?
Each card may be different. The answer depends on the card’s annual percentage rate vs. the price per gallon and the rewards paid per gallon.
Is a fuel card a taxable benefit?
If the card is used to buy fuel for a business, it is not a taxable benefit. If a card is used for personal travel, the company is liable for the taxes charged.
