In the ever-changing landscape of the trucking and transportation industry, finding the best diesel fuel cards for truckers in 2024 is crucial for optimizing your expenses. From owner operators to large commercial fleets, a high-quality diesel fuel card can offer valuable fuel discounts and robust reporting tools.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top options available this year, helping you make an informed choice tailored to your needs.
Quicklook: Top 6 diesel fuel card options
- Best for eliminating fraud: AtoB Fuel Cards
- Best for diesel rebates: Fuelman Diesel Fleet Card
- Best for total rewards: Coast Fuel Card
- Best for national network: WEX Fleet Fuel Cards
- Best for small and medium-sized companies: TCS Fuel Card
- Best for new businesses: Comdata Fuel Card
Best diesel trucking fuel cards
AtoB Fuel Cards
AtoB Fuel Cards are extremely popular because of the savings they provide through security, station selection tools, and other software. AtoB customers save on average 43¢ per gallon between their discounts, security savings, and savings from their Optimal Station Selection tool. This card is also accepted anywhere, and the dashboard allows you to set spending limits, track live usage and generate reports to manage your expenses.
Best for: Eliminating fraud
Special features
- No out-of-network stations
- Get discounts on repairs at Pep Boys, tires at Discount Tire and more through AtoB Perk
- Spend on more than just fuel — oil changes, tolls, lodging and more
- Net seven-day payment terms
Benefits
- Telematics integration to validate every purchase in real time
- 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
- Allows small businesses to build credit
Disadvantages: Must pay balance within seven days
Pricing: $3/month per active card
Fuelman Diesel Fleet Card
Fuelman offers three levels of diesel cards to meet the needs of various sizes of companies and organizations. The company offers some of the most generous fuel rebates available, especially if you’re purchasing diesel. Plus, you’ll benefit from certain discounts if you use the card at convenience stores. It’s widely accepted at more than 50,000 gas stations all throughout the nation. You’ll reap the greatest benefits if you purchase anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 gallons of fuel per month.
Best for: Diesel rebates
Special features
- Discounts at convenience stores, like Pilot or Speedway
- Special rates and rebates for nonprofits and government fleets
- Option to set spending limits
- Able to activate access restrictions to cards for certain employees
- Option to require drivers’ identification numbers before they can use the card
- Alerts for unapproved activity
- Strong purchasing controls
- Reports that make budgeting and accounting simple
Benefits
- Largest network of fuel stations that participate in rewards
- Low credit score requirements
- Accepted at 50,000 gas stations
- Rebates of up to eight cents per gallon for diesel and five cents for leaded fuel
Price: From $39 to $99 per month
Coast Fuel Card
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.
Best for: Total rewards
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
Pricing: $2 per user each month
WEX Fleet Fuel Cards
Known for its expansive national coverage, WEX offers one of the best fleet cards accepted at 95% of fuel stations in the U.S. Automatic accounting features, like fuel expense tracking and purchase alerts, optimize efficiency. With custom reports and multiple forms of account access, streamlining your operations is always a breeze with WEX. The company offers several different fleet card solutions, making it easy to get one that suits your business needs.
Best for: National network
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
- Ease of payment
- Control of spending
- Great app for drivers
- Specialized cards for different fleet sizes
Disadvantages
- Not the best option for savings
- Unknown fees for certain cards
Pricing: No setup fees; fees for other services not shared publicly
TCS Fuel Card
The TCS Fuel Card offers several compelling benefits to users seeking the best fuel cards for truckers. First, it offers significant diesel fuel discounts, which is particularly beneficial for owner operators and small fleets looking to optimize fuel costs. Furthermore, cardholders can access cash advances at truck stops, a unique feature not commonly found in other cards. The card was designed with the needs of smaller operations in mind, offering a tailored solution for small to medium-sized trucking companies.
Best for: Small and medium-sized companies
Special features
- Mobile app shows nearby discount fuel stations
- Allows for cash advances at some truck stops
- Roadside assistance
Benefits
- Significant savings for cardholders
- Real-time expense tracking
- Zero transaction fees in-network
Disadvantages: Doesn’t offer a rewards program, so no points or miles are earned on diesel purchases
Pricing: $0 activation, membership, monthly, or annual fees
Comdata Fuel Cards
Comdata Fuel Cards offer discounts and rebates on fuel purchases at thousands of gas stations across the U.S. But their truck fueling cards also offer access to a network of maintenance and repair service providers. Pricing options on these fuel cards can vary depending on the size of your fleet. With customized solutions for small fleets, their offering is among the best for new businesses.
Best for: New businesses
Special features
- Truck fuel card is accepted at more than 8,000 locations nationwide
- Savings up to 65% on tires and retreads at over 3,000 locations
- 24/7 driver support
- Online account management and fast track gas station membership
Benefits
- Cash price plus additional $0.25 off per gallon at TA Petro
- $0.10 off per gallon at Pilot Flying J
- Up to $0.08 off per gallon at Love’s, AMBEST, Speedway and 7-Eleven locations.
Disadvantages
- Subject to a $8/card per month fee after a one-time $50 account setup fee
- Additional fees may apply for optional services, late payments, and/or credit risks
Pricing
- No transaction fee at in-network locations
- $3 transaction fee at out-of-network locations
What is a diesel fuel card?
A diesel fuel card is a specialized payment card that enables the cardholder to purchase diesel and sometimes other vehicle-related expenses. Unlike regular credit cards, diesel fuel cards are tailored for the needs of commercial truck drivers, including owner operators and small trucking companies. These cards often come with benefits such as fuel discounts, detailed reporting features, and expense controls to manage trucking fuel costs more effectively.
Diesel cards help streamline the administrative aspects of fueling a fleet of trucks. They typically allow truckers to fuel up at various stations, providing flexibility and ease of use. Understanding how fuel cards work and what they are can help businesses make an informed choice between various options.
Who uses fuel cards?
A wide range of users benefit from diesel fuel cards. They’re commonly used by truckers, particularly owner operators and commercial truck fleets, to manage fuel expenses. Commercial fleets often use them to streamline costs and reporting. Heavy construction/machinery operators find these cards helpful for fueling large, diesel-powered equipment.
Waste management companies use them to fuel their collection vehicles, making it easier to manage expenses. Reefer truck trailer owners also rely on these cards to purchase both fuel for the truck and power for the refrigeration unit. Even RV owners, who travel long distances, can use them to manage their fuel costs more effectively.
So, the best fuel card for trucking companies serves a broad audience that needs to manage diesel purchases efficiently.
What are the advantages of a diesel fuel card over a traditional fuel card?
A diesel fuel card offers specialized advantages tailored for fuel purchases, making it ideal for industries that rely heavily on diesel. Compared to a traditional fuel card, diesel cards often have partnerships with diesel-specific fuel stations, providing better rates on diesel fuel.
Because they’re designed with truckers and commercial fleets in mind, diesel fleet cards often come with added features like advanced reporting tools for tracking trucking fuel expenses in detail. These reports can segregate diesel fuel costs from other expenses, making accounting easier.
In some cases, diesel fuel cards for trucks also offer additional perks, like reward points or more extensive coverage of diesel gas stations. So, while traditional truck fueling cards offer general benefits, a diesel fuel card for truckers provides targeted advantages that can be more valuable to specific users.
Benefit from a fuel card
In this guide, we’ve delved into the features, benefits, and drawbacks of some of the best fuel card for truckers options for 2024. The best trucking fuel card can offer substantial savings and streamlined expense management for your business.
Your next steps should involve carefully comparing these options based on your specific needs, followed by initiating the application process for the top fuel cards that best meets your requirements. Armed with the right diesel fleet fuel cards for truckers, you’re well-positioned to make 2024 a more profitable and efficient year on the road.
FAQ
A fuel card is a specialized payment card used for purchasing fuel and sometimes other vehicle-related expenses at gas stations. It offers benefits like expense tracking, detailed reporting, and often comes with fuel discount card rates or rewards.
Gas cards can sometimes be used for diesel, but they are generally tailored for gasoline purchases and may not offer the same diesel-specific benefits or discounts. It’s better to use a diesel fuel card for trucking to maximize advantages.
Gas cards work by allowing cardholders to purchase gasoline at specific or multiple fuel stations, often providing rewards or discounts on fuel purchases. They usually come with features like expense tracking and reporting, making it easier for individuals or businesses to manage their fuel costs.
Sign up for a FreightWaves e-newsletter to stay informed of all news and trends impacting supply chain careers and operations.
