Fuel Card Savings Calculator For Truckers (2026)
Fuel card ads love big numbers. "Save up to $1 a gallon!" sounds great, but "up to" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. What you actually save depends on how many gallons you buy, where you fuel and what the card charges you. Put your own numbers in below and you'll see a realistic yearly figure for each card.
Calculator
| Card | Discount per gallon | Yearly saving |
|---|---|---|
| TCS Fuel Card | $0.49 | $8,292 |
| AtoB | $0.42 | $7,108 |
| Mudflap (up to, not an average) | up to $1.00 | up to $16,923 |
Discounts are each provider's own published claim, checked 2026-10, and only apply at in network locations. Enter your card's fees and your real average discount in the "Your card" fields.
How The Math Works
Gallons per year = miles per year / MPG
Yearly saving = gallons per year x discount per gallon, minus any card fees
Example
An owner operator running 110,000 miles a year at 6.5 MPG buys about 16,923 gallons of diesel. Here's what different average discounts are worth:
| Average discount | Yearly saving |
|---|---|
| 5 cents a gallon | about $846 |
| 20 cents a gallon | about $3,385 |
| 42 cents a gallon | about $7,108 |
| 49 cents a gallon | about $8,292 |
The 42 and 49 cent rows match the average discounts two big trucking cards advertise. Whether you get them depends on fueling at their discount locations. Swap in your own miles and MPG, because they change the answer more than anything else.
Discount Types Explained
Cost plus or retail minus
Many trucking cards price diesel as a discount off the posted pump price at in network truck stops. The discount varies by stop and day. That's why providers quote averages.
Rebates
Some cards pay back cents per gallon later as a rebate, often on a sliding scale by volume. A rebate you get next month is still money, but it doesn't help cash flow today.
Network versus everywhere
A closed network card gives big discounts at its partner stops and less or nothing elsewhere. Open network cards work wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, usually with smaller average discounts. If you run regular lanes past in network stops, a closed network card can beat an open one. If you go wherever the load goes, acceptance matters more.
What The Big Cards Advertise
Here's what each card publishes, checked October 2026. These are the providers' own claims, not our measurements.
| Card | What it advertises | Fees it mentions |
|---|---|---|
| TCS Fuel Card | Average 49 cents a gallon in network, based on client transactions from Q1 to Q3 2026, at 2,300+ locations | $0 in network transaction fees, no activation or monthly fees |
| AtoB | Average 42 cents a gallon off truck diesel at the stations customers use most | No out of network or per transaction fees |
| Mudflap | Up to $1.00 a gallon at 3,600+ in network stops, 2 cents a gallon out of network | No transaction, monthly or annual fees stated |
Read the fine print on each before you apply. Mudflap's discount, for example, varies by stop and market conditions, so "up to $1" is a ceiling, not an average.
Fees That Eat Your Savings
A discount only counts after fees. Before you sign up, ask about each of these:
- Monthly or annual card fees, sometimes charged per card.
- Out of network transaction fees.
- Fees for cash advances at the counter.
- Late payment fees on credit based cards.
Enter the total yearly fees in the calculator. A card with a smaller discount and no fees can come out ahead.
Best Cards By Mileage
Under 50,000 miles a year
You're buying under about 8,000 gallons a year at 6.5 MPG. Fees matter more than discounts here. Pick a card with no monthly fee and solid acceptance.
50,000 to 120,000 miles
This is where average discounts add up to thousands a year. A card with deep in network discounts along your usual lanes can pay well.
Over 120,000 miles
Volume rebates and fleet controls come into play. Compare multiple cards with your actual fuel history.
For our full rundown of individual cards, see the best fuel cards for truckers.
Tips To Get The Advertised Discount
- Plan fuel stops with the card's app before you leave, not when the light comes on.
- Check the discounted price, not just the discount. A big discount off a high pump price can still cost more than a small one elsewhere.
- Use itemized statements for IFTA. Several cards produce them, which ties neatly into ELDs with IFTA reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a fuel card save a trucker?
It depends on gallons and discount. At 110,000 miles and 6.5 MPG, a 42 cent average discount is worth about $7,100 a year. A 5 cent discount is worth about $850.
Are fuel card discounts guaranteed?
No. Most providers quote averages or "up to" figures, and discounts vary by location and market conditions.
What diesel price should I use?
The calculator defaults to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration on highway diesel average, which was $6.276 a gallon for the week of October 19, 2026.
Sources
- TCS Fuel discounts page, tcsfuel.com, checked October 2026.
- AtoB discounts page, atob.com, checked October 2026.
- Mudflap fuel savings page, mudflapinc.com, checked October 2026.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, eia.gov, checked October 2026.