Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Charge the right per-mile surcharge based on current diesel prices.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 0.05 /gal. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 1.5, End for 6. Or type a value into the number field above.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 0.05 /gal. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 1.5, End for 8. Or type a value into the number field above.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 0.1 mpg. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 3, End for 12. Or type a value into the number field above.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 0.5 ¢/mi. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 0, End for 50. Or type a value into the number field above.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 10 mi. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 10, End for 3000. Or type a value into the number field above.
Use left and right arrow keys to adjust by 50. Page Up and Page Down for larger steps. Home for 0, End for 10000. Or type a value into the number field above.
Add your base linehaul to see all-in USD/mi.
| Scenario | Fuel cost |
|---|---|
| At base ($2.50/gal) | $192.31 |
| At current ($3.80/gal) | $292.31 |
| Surcharge owed | $100.00 |
How to calculate a fuel surcharge (the formula brokers use)
The standard FSC formula every freight broker, shipper, and carrier uses in 2026 is:
FSC per mile = (Current diesel price − Base diesel price) ÷ Truck MPGMultiply that per-mile number by loaded miles to get the total fuel surcharge owed on the load. At today's national diesel price and a 6.5 MPG truck, the surcharge calculator above shows roughly 20.0¢ per mile.
Where the base fuel price comes from
The base price is the diesel cost below which no surcharge applies. Historically that's been $1.20–$1.25/gallon, but many modern contracts use $2.50 or $3.00 to keep linehaul rates competitive. The base must be written into the contract or rate confirmation — never assumed.
Worked examples (van, reefer, flatbed)
Dry van, 500 mi, base $1.25, current $3.80, 6.5 MPG: FSC = ($3.80 − $1.25) ÷ 6.5 = $0.392/mi × 500 = $196 surcharge on top of linehaul.
Reefer, 700 mi, base $1.25, current $3.95, 5.8 MPG (reefer idle reduces MPG): FSC = $2.70 ÷ 5.8 = $0.466/mi × 700 = $326 surcharge.
Flatbed, 350 mi, base $2.50, current $3.80, 6.2 MPG: FSC = $1.30 ÷ 6.2 = $0.210/mi × 350 = $73 surcharge. Higher base = lower FSC, so the linehaul must be priced higher to compensate.
The DOE/EIA diesel index
Every Monday the U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes the on-highway diesel average — both nationally and by PADD region (East Coast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, Rocky Mountain, West Coast). It's the index virtually every FSC program references. The current EIA price is auto-loaded into the calculator above; you can toggle PADD regions if your contract uses a regional reference. Always confirm which index your rate confirmation cites.
Regional FSC differences
West Coast PADD V diesel typically runs $0.40–$0.80 above the national average. If your contract uses the national average but you fuel in California, you absorb the gap. Run loads originating in CA, OR, or WA through the cost per mile state pages to see how regional fuel changes break-even.
Broker vs. shipper FSC — what to watch
Shippers contract FSC programs with brokers. Brokers then offer carriers a portion of it. The two scams to know:
- FSC absorbed into linehaul. The rate-con shows one line with "all-in" rate, so the broker can claim there's no separate fuel money. Always ask: "What's the linehaul and what's the FSC?" If the broker won't split it, model it like there's no FSC and decide if the all-in works.
- Base price reset upward. Some brokers move the base from $1.25 to $3.00 mid-contract, killing the surcharge. Lock the base in writing.
Common FSC questions truckers ask
How is fuel surcharge calculated?
(Current diesel − base diesel) ÷ MPG = FSC per mile. Multiply by loaded miles for total surcharge.
What is a normal fuel surcharge in 2026?
Around 35–45¢/mile at the current national diesel average with a $1.25 base and 6.5 MPG. Reefers and West Coast lanes can push higher.
Do I get FSC on deadhead miles?
Standard programs pay only on loaded miles. If your deadhead is high, push for an all-in linehaul instead of relying on FSC.
How often does the surcharge update?
Most programs reset weekly using the Monday EIA release. Some monthly programs use a 30-day rolling average.
Related tools and reading
- Calculate your true cost per mile — fuel is the #1 variable; CPM tells you what you actually need.
- Load Profit Calculator — apply FSC + linehaul + deadhead to a real load.
- Fuel surcharge full guide — long-form FSC reading.
- Live US diesel prices — current PADD-region averages.