For small fleets, fuel is the biggest variable expense—and your largest lever for profit. The right fuel card doesn’t just shave pennies at the pump; it changes your cost per mile, adds controls that stop waste, and plugs straight into your cash-flow system. If you’re starting your first trucking company, here’s how to set up a fuel strategy that actually moves the needle.
How fuel pricing really works
The posted price on the sign is not the price every carrier pays. Fuel programs negotiate network discounts off the store price or a benchmark (like cost plus). Those savings vary by location and brand, which is why route planning matters: the station one exit farther might net you 20–60¢/gal more in savings.
Quick math:
1,500 miles/week ÷ 6.5 MPG ≈ 231 gallons.
At 35¢/gal average savings, that’s $80+ per week per truck—over $4,000 per year if you stay consistent. Larger discounts and better MPG stretch that much further.
Why a fuel card beats a regular credit card
- Network discounts you won’t get with consumer cards
- Controls: set per-transaction/daily limits, merchant categories, and product types (fuel only)
- Alerts & reporting to catch unusual spend immediately
- IFTA support and easier bookkeeping
Controls that protect your margin
- Merchant & product locks: Fuel only, no gift cards or snacks.
- Time & geography rules: Limit hours or set alerts for out-of-route swipes.
- Driver PINs tied to each card, plus odometer capture if you want trip-level detail.
- Real-time alerts: Get SMS/email when a transaction trips a rule.
Small leaks become big losses over a month; controls plug those leaks early.
Fuel strategy for new carriers
- Plan your stops against the discount network, not the billboard price.
- Avoid topping off at expensive stations just to “get home.” Small, smart fills beat one bad price.
- Mind idle time and speed; 0.5 MPG is thousands of dollars per truck annually.
- Pair with fast funding: Load the Fuel Card from your Digital Wallet the moment an invoice is approved.
Fuel card + factoring = smoother cash
When you submit your packet through the Client Portal and get same-day approval, moving funds to the wallet (and then into your fuel card) means you never skip a load for lack of pump money. That reliability is priceless in your first year.
What to ask before you pick a program
- Discount transparency: Can you see real station-level savings in advance?
- Fees: Card fees, transaction fees, or minimum usage?
- Controls & alerts: Which ones are included vs. add-ons?
- Support hours: Nights/weekends matter when a card fails at the pump.
- Integration: Can you fund it easily from your factoring payouts or wallet?
Bottom line: Treat fuel like a finance function, not an errand. A strong Fuel Card program plus instant funding from a Digital Wallet can drop your cost per mile and keep your trucks moving.
CTA: Check current program details and apply for the Fuel Card. Want the full cash-flow toolkit—Client Portal, Mobile App, Digital Wallet—set up for your lanes? Get started.