Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Know exactly how much fuel costs are adding to each load. Calculate per-mile surcharges in seconds.
Fuel Prices
The fuel price assumed when the freight rate was negotiated.
Today's diesel price. Check the DOE national average weekly.
Truck & Load
Your truck's average fuel economy. Most Class 8 trucks: 5.5 - 7.5 MPG.
Total loaded miles for this trip.
Your negotiated rate per mile before any fuel surcharge.
Fuel Surcharge Breakdown
Fuel Cost Analysis
Formula: (Current Price - Base Price) / MPG = Surcharge Per Mile. The surcharge compensates for fuel costs above the agreed baseline.
Want to understand fuel surcharges in depth?
Read our Fuel Surcharge Guide →How Fuel Surcharges Work
Set a baseline fuel price
When a freight rate is negotiated, both parties agree on a base fuel price -- the price of diesel assumed in the per-mile rate. This is usually set at the time the contract is signed and stays fixed for the contract period.
Track the current fuel price
The DOE (Department of Energy) publishes a national average diesel price every Monday. Most fuel surcharge schedules reference this number. Your contract or rate confirmation should specify which fuel index to use.
Calculate the difference per mile
Subtract the base price from the current price to get the per-gallon cost increase. Divide that by your MPG and you get the extra cost per mile. That's your fuel surcharge per mile.
Apply to each loaded mile
Multiply the surcharge per mile by the number of loaded miles on the trip. This is added on top of the base freight rate. The surcharge only applies to loaded miles, not deadhead.
Why Fuel Surcharges Matter
Fuel surcharges protect carriers from losing money when diesel prices spike above what was assumed in the rate. Without a surcharge, a $0.50/gallon price increase on a 500-mile load at 6 MPG costs the carrier an extra $41.67 -- money that comes straight out of profit. For shippers, surcharges provide transparency: the base rate covers the service, and the surcharge tracks actual fuel costs. Both sides win when the surcharge formula is clear and based on a published index.