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Fuel Surcharge Calculator

Calculate a freight fuel surcharge the standard way: the difference between today's diesel price and the base price in the rate, divided by the agreed MPG. See the surcharge per mile, as a percentage of line-haul, for a whole trip, and as a full schedule for your contract.

Last updated:

Fuel prices
$

Usually the weekly national or regional average your contract names (often the U.S. EIA on-highway diesel average).

$

The price already built into the line-haul rate. Common contract bases are $1.20 to $2.50.

MPG

Contracts often fix this at 5 to 6.5 MPG for a tractor-trailer.

Trip (optional)
mi
$

Used to show the surcharge as a percentage and the all-in rate.

Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Fuel Surcharge Calculator

  1. Enter the current diesel price, usually the weekly average your contract refers to.
  2. Enter the base price and MPG written in the contract or rate confirmation.
  3. Pick a rounding rule that matches your agreement.
  4. Add trip miles and the line-haul rate to see the percentage and trip total.
  5. Press Calculate fuel surcharge and copy the result or download the schedule.

Fuel surcharge formula

  • Surcharge per mile = (current diesel price − base price) ÷ MPG
  • Surcharge % = surcharge per mile ÷ line-haul rate per mile × 100
  • Trip surcharge = surcharge per mile × trip miles

Example: diesel averages $3.75, the contract base is $1.25 and the formula uses 6 MPG. The difference is $2.50 per gallon, so the surcharge is $2.50 ÷ 6 = $0.4167, or $0.42 per mile rounded. On an 850-mile load with a $2.10 line-haul rate, that adds $357.00 and brings the all-in rate to $2.52 per mile (a 20% surcharge).

Surcharge per mile at common contract settings

Diesel price$1.25 base, 6 MPG$1.20 base, 5 MPG$2.50 base, 6.5 MPG
$3.00$0.29$0.36$0.08
$3.50$0.38$0.46$0.15
$4.00$0.46$0.56$0.23
$4.50$0.54$0.66$0.31
$5.00$0.63$0.76$0.38

Values are rounded to the nearest cent. Always follow the exact base, MPG, price source and rounding rule written in your agreement.

Tips for carriers and shippers

  • Agree on the price source and update day in writing, for example the weekly average published on Monday applied to loads picked up that week.
  • Compare all-in rates. A load with a low line-haul and a generous surcharge can pay more than a higher line-haul with a high base price.
  • Check the MPG assumption against your real fuel economy; if your truck does better, part of the surcharge becomes margin.

Frequently asked questions

How is a trucking fuel surcharge calculated?

The most common method is: fuel surcharge per mile = (current diesel price − base fuel price) ÷ miles per gallon. With diesel at $3.75, a $1.25 base and 6 MPG, the surcharge is $2.50 ÷ 6 = about $0.42 per mile.

What is the base fuel price?

The base or peg price is the diesel price already assumed in the line-haul rate. The surcharge only pays for fuel above that level. Shippers and carriers agree on it in the contract; older contracts often use about $1.20 to $1.25, newer ones may use a higher base with a correspondingly lower line-haul rate.

Which diesel price should I use?

Use the price your contract names. Many agreements use the U.S. Energy Information Administration weekly on-highway diesel average, national or for a region, published each Monday, and apply it for the following week.

How do I convert a fuel surcharge to a percentage?

Divide the surcharge per mile by the line-haul rate per mile and multiply by 100. A $0.42 per mile surcharge on a $2.10 line-haul rate is 20%. LTL carriers usually publish surcharges as a percentage of the freight charge instead of per mile.

Why does the MPG matter so much?

The surcharge reimburses the extra fuel burned per mile. A lower MPG means more gallons per mile, so each dollar of price difference produces a bigger surcharge. At a $2.50 difference, 5 MPG gives $0.50 per mile, while 6.5 MPG gives about $0.38.

Can a fuel surcharge be negative?

Most contracts set the surcharge to zero when fuel falls below the base price. Some agreements allow a credit back to the shipper. Tick the negative surcharge option to model that.

Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?

Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.

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