Yes, fuel cards can save carriers money through discounted pricing, though savings depend on the card, network, and fuel volume. Fuel is one of trucking's highest costs, so small per-gallon savings add up fast. This guide covers how fuel cards save money, what can reduce those savings, and when a fuel card is worth it.
Key takeaways:
- Fuel card savings come from network pricing: Discounts with the OTR Fuel Card average $0.50 per gallon at in-network locations.
- Fees can offset savings: Transaction or out-of-network fees sometimes cancel out a card's advertised discount.
- Fuel volume matters most: Carriers who buy more diesel each month tend to capture more total savings from a fuel card.
How do fuel cards save you money?
Fuel cards save you money mainly through discounted pricing, plus tools that help you manage what you spend on diesel. Savings show up in three ways: lower prices per gallon, tighter purchase control, and cleaner expense records.
Fuel discounts and network pricing
Most fuel cards negotiate discounted pricing with truck stops and fuel networks, so you pay less per gallon than the posted retail price. A negotiated discount lowers the transaction price, while a rebate returns money after the purchase.
Savings vary by provider, network size, and which locations you use. The OTR Fuel Card offers $0.50 per gallon average savings at 3,000+ in-network locations, with discounts up to $2.25 per gallon at select stops.
Better control over fuel spending
Some fuel cards let you set purchase limits and restrictions, so you control what drivers buy and, in some cases, where and when the card works. That matters most once you add drivers, since unauthorized purchases get harder to catch by hand.
Fuel card controls vary by provider. The OTR Fuel Card uses per-gallon limits, tying spending controls directly to fuel volume. A single owner-operator may not need tight restrictions, but a growing fleet often relies on these controls for predictable spending.
Easier fuel expense tracking
Fuel cards centralize your transaction records, so every purchase lands in one place instead of scattered across paper receipts. That visibility makes it easier to see where fuel dollars are going, truck by truck or driver by driver.
Centralized records can reduce manual errors and make fuel expenses easier to organize for bookkeeping and tax preparation. Carriers managing multiple trucks benefit most, since pulling clean records from one account beats reconciling receipts by hand. Even a single truck benefits from catching unusual charges early.
How much can you save with a fuel card?
There isn't one universal savings amount. Your savings depend on the gallons you purchase, your average per-gallon discount, how often you fuel in-network, local fuel prices, and applicable fees.
A simple way to estimate monthly fuel savings: gallons purchased multiplied by your average discount per gallon, minus any applicable fees.
For example, a truck buying 1,000 gallons a month at a $0.40 average discount could save about $400 before fees, savings that matter even more when you're staying profitable during fuel price surges.
<div class="table-wrapper">
<table class="custom-webflow-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Gallons per month</th>
<th>Average discount per gallon</th>
<th>Estimated monthly savings</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>500</td>
<td>$0.40</td>
<td>$200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1,000</td>
<td>$0.40</td>
<td>$400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2,000</td>
<td>$0.40</td>
<td>$800</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>What affects how much money a fuel card saves?
Several factors decide how much a fuel card actually saves you, starting with how well the network matches your routes.
- Fuel card network: A large network only helps if the participating locations actually line up with the routes you run every week.
- Discount structure: Compare the real pump-price discount against negotiated rates and any rebates that only credit money back later.
- Fuel volume: Carriers who purchase more diesel each month see per-gallon savings add up noticeably faster.
- Routes and fueling habits: Drivers who consistently stop at in-network locations capture more of the available savings than those who don't.
- Fees: Transaction, membership, or out-of-network fees can quietly reduce how much of your savings you actually keep.
- Fuel type: Diesel-focused trucking cards may offer different savings structures than general-purpose business fuel cards.
These factors make choosing the best fuel card less overwhelming once you know what to compare.
When is a fuel card worth it?
A fuel card is generally worth it when the discounts and operational benefits outweigh the fees and restrictions that come with it.
For carriers, that comes down to fuel volume, route overlap with the network, and how competitive the discount is once fees are factored in. Fleet size alone does not determine value. Fuel volume, network coverage, and where you regularly stop often matter more than truck count.
Fuel cards tend to provide the most value when:
- You purchase a meaningful amount of diesel every month
- In-network locations line up with your regular lanes
- The discounts apply at stops you already use
- You manage multiple trucks or drivers and need better spending controls
- You want a simpler way to track fuel purchases across your fleet
- Fees are low enough that they don't cancel out your savings
When might a fuel card not save you money?
A fuel card can fail to save you money when most of your stops fall outside the discount network or when fees outweigh what you'd save at the pump.
Fuel cards may not provide value when:
- Most of your fuel stops fall outside the discounted network
- Out-of-network or transaction fees outweigh the available discounts
- The discounted locations along your route have higher final prices than nearby off-network stops
- You choose stops based on the advertised discount instead of the final price per gallon
- Your fuel volume is too low to offset recurring fees, if the card charges any
Compare the final price per gallon and total card costs at each stop, not just the advertised discount, since that's the number that actually affects your bottom line.
What should you look for in a fuel card to maximize savings?
The right fuel card matches its features to how your operation actually runs, not just the advertised discount.
- Competitive diesel discounts at the stations you actually use
- Convenient in-network locations along your regular routes
- A transparent fee structure with clearly stated transaction, account, and out-of-network charges
- Broad acceptance beyond just the discounted network
- Purchase controls that fit how many drivers or trucks you manage
- Real-time transaction visibility so you can catch issues early
- Easy account management from your phone or a web portal
- Tools for finding lower fuel prices along your route
These features add up in fuel card benefits, which covers what carriers gain beyond the discount itself.
Save more on fuel with the OTR Fuel Card
The OTR Fuel Card gives carriers exclusive fuel savings at 3,000+ in-network locations and is accepted at 8,000+ locations nationwide. Average savings are $0.50 per gallon and reach up to $2.25 per gallon at select stops, with $0 in-network fees.
Fuel Finder in the OTR Mobile App helps carriers locate the best discount along their route before they arrive, and real-time transaction visibility keeps spending easy to track for owner-operators and fleets alike.
Apply for the OTR Fuel Card and start saving at the pump.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to use a fuel card?
Yes, it is generally cheaper to use a fuel card when the card's discounted price falls below the posted retail price. What matters most is the price you actually pay, not the advertised discount, a gap that often comes down to fees in this fuel card vs. credit card comparison.
Is it worth it to get a fuel card?
Yes, fuel cards are generally worth it depending on your fuel volume, routes, network coverage, discounts, and fees. Occasional or personal fuel purchases rarely justify one, but for commercial trucking operations, per-gallon savings compound fast across a month of regular fueling.
Are fuel cards worth it for owner-operators?
Yes, fuel cards are generally worth it for owner-operators. A single truck may purchase enough diesel for per-gallon savings to add up over a month. Owner-operators get the most value when in-network locations match their normal routes and fees do not offset the savings.
Are there fees for using a fuel card?
Some fuel cards charge fees, and structures vary by provider. Possible examples include transaction, membership, or out-of-network fees. Always compare your net savings after fees, not just the advertised per-gallon discount.
Can you use a fuel card anywhere?
That depends on the card's acceptance network. Additionally, acceptance somewhere isn't the same as getting the discounted price there. Compare a card's network against your typical routes before choosing one.
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