STEP 2 OF 4 · FREE TRUCKING TOOL
Calculate fuel surcharge per mile and total fuel surcharge using current diesel price, base fuel price, baseline MPG and load miles.
Diesel price, base price, MPG and miles
Common examples are $3.00 or $3.25, but contracts vary.
NEXT STEP · STEP 3 OF 4
Fuel is only one cost layer. Add liftgate, detention, residential and other hidden fees before final quote risk.
A fuel surcharge is an extra charge used to offset fuel price changes. In trucking and freight, it is often calculated from a diesel index, a base fuel price and a baseline MPG or fuel efficiency assumption.
Fuel surcharge protects carriers from sudden diesel price increases and helps brokers or shippers separate linehaul pricing from fuel movement.
Separate linehaul revenue from fuel movement.
Protect margin when diesel changes after quote discussions.
Estimate the surcharge amount to add to a load invoice.
Fuel surcharge changes the true revenue per mile.
Subtract the base fuel price from the current diesel price, then divide by the baseline MPG.
In many surcharge programs, the surcharge becomes zero. Some contracts may handle this differently.
Many U.S. programs use a published diesel index, but you should use the exact index specified in your agreement.
No. It only offsets fuel movement. You still need to check total cost, deadhead, accessorials and rate per mile.