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Fuel Surcharge Calculator: % or Per Mile

Work out a trucking fuel surcharge from the current diesel price with a percentage table or the per mile method, and the freight total with it.

%
%

Fuel surcharge

43%

Steps above the base: 43

Fuel surcharge

774

Freight + surcharge

2,574

Surcharge % = start % + steps × % per step, steps = (current − base) ÷ step

Carriers publish their own tables and usually use the weekly US average diesel price from the EIA, updated every Monday. Use the base, step and miles per gallon in your contract.

How fuel surcharges are calculated

A fuel surcharge adjusts a freight rate for the price of diesel. When fuel rises above the base price agreed in the contract, the carrier adds a surcharge; when it falls, the surcharge shrinks. Most US contracts tie it to the weekly average diesel price the EIA publishes every Monday.

How fuel surcharges are calculated

Per mile method: surcharge per mile = (current price − base price) ÷ truck miles per gallon. Diesel at 3.85 against a base of 1.25 with a 6.5 mpg truck gives (3.85 − 1.25) ÷ 6.5 = 0.40 a mile; on 620 miles that is 248.

Percentage table method: the surcharge rises by a set percentage for each step of fuel price above the base, for example 1% for every 6 cents above 1.25. The result is a percentage of the line haul charge.

What to agree in the contract

  • The fuel index (EIA US average, regional average or another)
  • The base (peg) price and the step size
  • Miles per gallon or the percentage per step
  • How often it updates (weekly is common)

Pricing a load? Check the freight class with the freight class calculator first.

Copy the result, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email or a purchase file. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Features

  • Percentage table method
  • Per mile method
  • Your base price and step
  • Miles per gallon
  • Freight plus surcharge
  • Copy or PDF

Frequently asked questions

What is a typical base fuel price?

It depends on the contract. Older tables often use 1.20 to 1.25 a gallon, newer ones a price close to current diesel.

Where does the diesel price come from?

Most US carriers use the EIA weekly retail on highway diesel price, released on Mondays.

Is the fuel surcharge taxed?

It follows the tax treatment of the freight charge it is added to.

Is the calculator free?

Yes. No sign up. It runs in your browser, and you can copy the result or save it as a PDF.

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