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The 8 Best Fuel Cards For Truckers & Commercial Trucking Companies

Fuel cards for your commercial trucking company is a great way to save on fuel and monitor employee spending. Here are our top picks for fuel cards for truckers.

    Jason Vissers
  • UPDATED

Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

If you run a trucking business, finding the best fuel card for truckers can help you save some serious cash. Fuel cards can even help you run your business more efficiently.

Fuel cards (often called fleet cards) are unique payment instruments that help trucking businesses save money on the cost of fuel and maintenance as well as monitor their workforce’s spending. A participating trucking business gives its drivers a fleet card to use when driving company vehicles on the clock. The drivers then use their card at any fuel vendor within the card’s network of locations.

These networks will typically cover 10,000+ gas stations nationwide, though a few such networks feature hundreds of thousands of individual stations.

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In this article, we’ll be highlighting the best fuel cards for truckers and trucking companies. Let’s examine your top options.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanySummaryNext StepsSummary
Coast

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  • Rebates of 2 cents per gallon
  • Precise spend controls, reporting, integrations, and no personal guarantee requirement
  • Card is accepted at any gas station or maintenance shop where Visa is accepted
  • Rebates of 2 cents per gallon
  • Precise spend controls, reporting, integrations, and no personal guarantee requirement
  • Card is accepted at any gas station or maintenance shop where Visa is accepted

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ExxonMobile BusinessPro

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  • Rebate of 1-6 cents per gallon
  • No monthly/annual fees + spend management and invoicing
  • Accepted at over 95% of US fueling stations
  • Rebate of 1-6 cents per gallon
  • No monthly/annual fees + spend management and invoicing
  • Accepted at over 95% of US fueling stations

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WEX FlexCard

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  • Rewards rate of 3 cents per gallon
  • No monthly/annual fees + custom reports + can carry a balance on the card when necessary
  • Accepted at 95% of US gas stations + 45,000 US maintenance locations
  • Rewards rate of 3 cents per gallon
  • No monthly/annual fees + custom reports + can carry a balance on the card when necessary
  • Accepted at 95% of US gas stations + 45,000 US maintenance locations

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Shell Fleet Navigator Card

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  • Rebate of up to 5 cents per gallon
  • Spend controls + built-in reporting + carry a balance month-to-month
  • Card accepted at 95% of US gas stations and all US Jiffy Lube locations
  • Rebate of up to 5 cents per gallon
  • Spend controls + built-in reporting + carry a balance month-to-month
  • Card accepted at 95% of US gas stations and all US Jiffy Lube locations

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EFS Fleet One EDGE Card

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  • Average rebate of 15 cents per gallon when used at one of 4,500 EDGE Discount sites
  • No monthly/annual fees + fleet management features + discounts on major tire brands
  • Usable at over 12,000 gas stations in total
  • Average rebate of 15 cents per gallon when used at one of 4,500 EDGE Discount sites
  • No monthly/annual fees + fleet management features + discounts on major tire brands
  • Usable at over 12,000 gas stations in total

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Discover it Secured

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  • Offers 2% cash back on gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases every three months
  • This is a secured consumer credit card with no fleet management features
  • Get cash back at 100% of US gas stations -- no coverage restrictions
  • Offers 2% cash back on gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases every three months
  • This is a secured consumer credit card with no fleet management features
  • Get cash back at 100% of US gas stations -- no coverage restrictions

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Shell Refillable Card

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  • No rebates or cash back
  • Up to $300 can be loaded onto the card at one time -- no other features
  • Can be used at all 25,000+ Shell locations across the US
  • No rebates or cash back
  • Up to $300 can be loaded onto the card at one time -- no other features
  • Can be used at all 25,000+ Shell locations across the US

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ARCO PumpPass

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  • No rebates or cash back
  • Available in denominations up to $100 -- no other features
  • Can be used at the 1,300+ ARCO locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona
  • No rebates or cash back
  • Available in denominations up to $100 -- no other features
  • Can be used at the 1,300+ ARCO locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

Choosing The Best Fuel Card For Truckers: Your 8 Best Options

When choosing fuel cards for owner-operators to include in this article, we looked for cards that gave the best possible fuel rebates. We also looked for fuel cards offering widespread national coverage and strong expense management features. We even added some prepaid cards to this list as well.

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Coast: Best Fleet Fuel Card For Universal Acceptance

Coast


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Pros

  • Rewards rate of 2 cents per gallon
  • No personal guarantee required
  • Discounts offered at Jiffy Lube & Discount Tire and on QuickBooks
  • Coast card use builds your business credit

Cons

  • Coast is a charge card — you can’t carry a balance from month to month
  • The rewards rate on fuel purchases isn’t the highest

The Coast fleet fuel card offers unique value to trucking companies. It doesn't offer the best fuel rebates in the industry, but you'll never have to worry about whether or not a gas station is within this card's acceptance network. That's because Coast is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted.

The card does carry a monthly cost for each active card. Coast charges $3 for any card that has a completed transaction during the billing period. For many, this fee is a good tradeoff for the unique benefits Coast offers.

Coast Fleet Card Rewards

The Coast card gives you a flat two cents per gallon fuel rebate on your monthly statement. It's not one of the highest-value rebates you'll find on a fuel card, but this card's true strengths lie elsewhere.

You'll also get discounts on various partner services -- 8% off at Discount Tire, 10% off on maintenance/oil changes at Jiffy Lube, 30% off QuickBooks for 6 months, and so on.

Coast Features

The Coast card offers a number of great features and benefits. Let's start with the highlights.

  • No personal guarantee required. Not all fuel cards let you avoid personal liability like this -- for instance, in 2022, WEX started requiring personal guarantees for their fleet cards.
  • Coast reports to the business credit bureaus, so using Coast cards can help you build your business credit.
  • Coast cards can also be used on such purchase categories as maintenance and car washes.

Other features include:

  • Set spend controls by card, driver, or vehicle
  • View transactions in real time
  • Get transaction-level reporting by card, driver, and vehicle
  • Integrates with the fleet management app Fleetio and accounting apps Xero and QuickBooks

The Coast card is a charge card, so you can't carry a balance from month to month.

When To Choose Coast

With Coast, you'll never have to wonder whether a fuel station is "in network." You'll also get sophisticated reporting, spend controls, real-time reporting, and more. Unfortunately, sole proprietors cannot get the Coast card. All other business types are accepted, though.

Get Started With Coast

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ExxonMobil BusinessPro: Best Fuel Card For No Monthly Charges

ExxonMobile BusinessPro


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Pros

  • No monthly or annual fees
  • Rewards rate of 1-6 cents per gallon
  • Online notifications and spend management from the app

Cons

  • Companies purchasing less than 500 gallons of gas per billing period get a low rewards rate
  • Can’t carry a balance month-to-month

The ExxonMobil BusinessPro fleet card offers a rebate of up to 6 cents per gallon on your fleet's fuel purchases, depending on the total gallons purchased per billing period. Moreover, there are no monthly charges associated with the card and no setup fees.

ExxonMobil BusinessPro Fleet Card Rewards

This is the ExxonMobil BusinessPro fleet card's rebate structure:

  • Less than 500 gallons purchased during a billing period = 1 cent per gallon
  • 500 to 3,999 gallons purchased = 3 cents per gallon
  • 4,000 to 6,999 gallons purchased = 4 cents per gallon
  • 7,000 to 9,999 gallons purchased = 5 cents per gallon
  • 10,000+ gallons purchased = 6 cents per gallon

ExxonMobil BusinessPro Features

ExxonMobil markets that over 95% of US fueling stations accept this card. That means you can use it at non-Exxon or Mobil locations (something that wasn't previously possible). What's more, you can view the following from your online BusinessPro account:

  • Card and driver details
  • Payment history
  • Available credit
  • Manage invoices and payments
  • Set restrictions on purchase types
  • Set limits for transactions, gallons, and dollar amounts
  • Set specific limits for time-of-day and day-of-week
  • Receive notifications when expenses fall outside your company policies

The ExxonMobil BusinessPro card is a charge card -- unfortunately, you can't carry a balance month-to-month.

When To Choose ExxonMobil BusinessPro

The ExxonMobil BusinessPro offers widespread coverage, spend management, and a fuel rebate structure that offers up to 6 cents per gallon on your company's fuel purchases -- and all for no monthly charges. If you want a great fleet card without paying any monthly charges, the ExxonMobil BusinessPro fits the bill.

Get Started With ExxonMobile BusinessPro

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WEX FlexCard: Best Fuel Card For Small & Mid-Size Trucking Companies

WEX FlexCard


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Pros

  • Rewards rate of 3 cents per gallon
  • No monthly or annual fees
  • Fleet and fuel management services

Cons

  • The max rewards rate is lower than that of some other fuel cards

For a fuel card that will help you save on fuel and cover fuel purchases nearly everywhere your fleet goes, check out the WEX FlexCard. Its flat-rate fuel rebates make it a good choice for companies with more modest trucking needs that wouldn't qualify for the maximum rates offered by fuel cards that scale their rewards with your fuel use.

WEX FlexCard Fleet Card Rewards

The FlexCard gives you a 3-cent rebate on every gallon of fuel purchased. This falls short of the maximum rate of the ExxonMobil card, but it equals or exceeds said rate if you buy less than 4,000 gallons of fuel per billing period. As such, it's a great fuel card for small and mid-sized fleets.

WEX FlexCard Features

The WEX FlexCard gives you spend controls, custom reports, and fuel rebates. As for card acceptance, the WEX FlexCard is accepted at 95% of fuel stations nationwide. Also, 45,000 US maintenance locations accept the card, and there's no annual or monthly fee.

Plus, the WEX FlexCard is technically a charge card, but unlike the ExxonMobil card, the WEX card allows you to carry a monthly balance when necessary.

When To Choose The WEX FlexCard

In addition to the above features, WEX's fleet management and fuel management services can, when used in tandem, help you save even more on fuel. Add this to the flat 3 cents per gallon your drivers will earn on fuel purchases, and you have a great fuel card for smaller and mid-sized fleets.

Get Started With WEX FlexCard

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Shell Fleet Navigator Card: Best Fuel Card For National Coverage

Shell Fleet Navigator Card


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Pros

  • Rewards rate of up to 5 cents per gallon
  • Spend controls and expense management
  • Discounts offered at Jiffy Lube locations

Cons

  • Card comes with unspecified “limited fees”

If you're seeking a fleet card with the maximum possible coverage, look into the Shell Fleet Navigator Card. This card is accepted at fully 95% of gas stations across the US, including all 13,000+ Shell and Jiffy Lube locations. You won't be left high and dry by the Shell Fleet Navigator Card.

Shell Fleet Navigator Card Rewards

The Shell Fleet Navigator Card also offers a rebate of up to 5 cents per gallon of fuel purchased each billing cycle, depending on the amount spent. Unfortunately, Shell doesn't disclose the amount of fuel you need to buy each month before the 5-cent rate takes effect.

Shell Fleet Navigator Card Features

The card comes with spending controls and expense management systems on par with every other fuel card. Furthermore, the Shell Fleet Navigator Card lets you carry a balance from month to month. However, the card's APR is not disclosed.

Likewise, while the card doesn't officially come with an annual fee, Shell states that the card may carry "limited fees" -- though the company does not detail these fees.

When To Choose The Shell Fleet Navigator Card

When you want a fleet fuel card that is accepted at nearly every gas station in the US, plus every Jiffy Lube station, check out the Shell Fleet Navigator Card.

Get Started With Shell Fleet Navigator Card

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EFS Fleet One EDGE Card: Best Fuel Card For Rewards

EFS Fleet One EDGE Card


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Pros

  • Rewards rate of 15 cents per gallon at 4,500 EDGE Discount gas stations
  • No annual or monthly fees
  • Fleet management features
  • Automated state fuel tax reporting

Cons

  • Coverage is less extensive than some other fuel cards
  • Can’t carry a balance month-to-month

The EFS Fleet One EDGE Card is a fuel card that, when used at a gas station participating in the EDGE discount program, offers perhaps the highest fuel rebate around. All in all, over 12,000 truck stops across the country accept the Fleet One EDGE Card. What's more, you'll pay no monthly or annual fee.

EFS Fleet One EDGE Card Rewards

You'll get an average 15 cents per gallon rebate when used at one of 4,500 participating EDGE discount sites. Additionally, you'll pay no fuel transaction fees when you use the card at over 4,000 in-network sites.

EFS Fleet One EDGE Card Features

Along with fuel rebates, you'll get spend controls, detailed reporting, discounts on major tire brands, and savings on wireless plans, hotels, and repairs.

When To Choose EFS Fleet One EDGE Card

The card doesn't have the most widespread coverage of the fuel cards listed here. Still, with advanced reporting, enhanced security controls, discounts on tires, and a high rewards rate when used strategically, the EFS Fleet One EDGE Card packs plenty of value for the trucking company positioned to take advantage of it.

Get Started With EFS Fleet One EDGE Card

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Discover it Secured: Best Card For Truckers With Bad Credit

Discover it Secured


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Annual Fee

$0

Minimum Recommended Credit

Poor

Rewards Rate

2% or 1% cash back

Pros

  • 2% cash back on all fuel purchases
  • No annual or monthly fee
  • Helps build your credit

Cons

  • No fleet management features or employee cards
  • Requires a security deposit

Let's start with a disclaimer: The Discover it Secured card is a consumer gas card, not a fleet card, so it does not come with any fleet management features. However, fleet cards are generally unavailable to business owners with bad credit. If your credit is poor, but you still want a credit card that offers a solid rewards rate for gas purchases, the Discover it Secured card may benefit your business.

Discover it Secured Rewards

The Discover it Secured card gives you an unlimited 2% cash back on all gas station purchases (no coverage restrictions) and restaurant purchases on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. You'll also get 1% cash back on everything else. And with Discover's Cashback Match, Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, effectively giving you 4% cash back on all fuel purchases for one year.

Discover it Secured Features

The Discover it Secured card doesn't come with any fleet management features, nor are there any other notable perks to be found beyond the cash back. This isn't surprising, considering that this is a secured credit card. As such, you'll have to make a security deposit of at least $200 (the maximum deposit is $2,500) that establishes the amount of your credit line.

When To Choose The Discover it Secured Card

If bad credit is preventing you from getting a true fleet card, Discover it Secured will help you build up your credit. After seven months of responsible use, you may qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card, which means you can get your security deposit back. All the while, you'll be earning cash back with your fuel purchases.

Get Started With Discover it Secured

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Shell Refillable Card: Best Prepaid Fuel Card For National Coverage

Shell Refillable Card


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Pros

  • No fees
  • You can put up to $300 on this prepaid card
  • Usable at all Shell stations nationwide

Cons

  • No rewards or cash back
  • No fleet management features

A prepaid fuel card is not the same as an actual fuel card; it is essentially just a gift card that can be used at gas stations. Nevertheless, prepaid fuel cards for truckers can be useful for businesses with operations that involve a degree of road travel. It's not for mid-size to large trucking companies.

The Shell Refillable Card can be used at all Shell locations. Up to $300 can be loaded onto the card at one time.

Shell Refillable Card Rewards

This card does not offer rebates on fuel purchases or any other spending rewards.

Shell Refillable Card Features

This card doesn't offer fleet management or other common credit card features, though you can track the balance and your spending online.

When To Choose The Shell Refillable Card

If your company's driving needs are limited, and you want to ensure only fuel is purchased on the company dime, consider using the Shell Refillable Card.

Get Started With Shell Refillable Card

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ARCO PumpPASS: Best Prepaid Fuel Card For West Coast Use

ARCO PumpPass


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Pros

  • No fees
  • The prepaid card comes in denominations of up to $100

Cons

  • No rewards or cash back
  • No fleet management features
  • Useful in the western US only

The ARCO PumpPASS prepaid gas card is akin to the Shell Refillable Card, except you use it at ARCO stations, and it is not refillable. It is useful on the West Coast, where most ARCO stations are located. You can get the card in denominations up to $100.

ARCO PumpPASS Card Rewards

This card does not offer spending rewards.

ARCO PumpPASS Card Features

This card does not offer any significant features to speak of.

When To Choose ARCO PumpPASS

If your business is a West Coast company with limited driving needs, you might want to give ARCO PumpPASS cards a look. If your company is located elsewhere in the US and you want a prepaid gas card, go with Shell's card instead.

Get Started With ARCO PumpPass

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Are Fuel Cards For Owner Operators Worth It?

Let’s tackle the larger question of whether or not fuel cards are worth getting in the first place.

If your company makes use of two or more company vehicles and your company purchases over 1,000 gallons of fuel every month, getting a fuel card can pay off by providing you with the following:

  • In-depth purchasing controls to ensure your employees are using the company card for driving-related expenses only
  • Advanced analytics can improve your drivers’ efficiency
  • Monthly/annual fees are small or nonexistent
  • Save money, both on gas purchases and repair/maintenance costs
  • Advanced GPS apps that point the way toward in-network gas stations and service centers

Of course, fuel cards can only be used to purchase fuel and repair/maintenance services, which means fuel cards are much less flexible than credit cards. Additionally, rewards programs associated with fuel cards are more limited than those of credit cards, as only certain gas stations participate in these rewards programs.

Furthermore, many fuel cards are charge cards and won’t let you carry a balance from month to month (though some fuel cards will let you do this). Also, the fuel cards that do allow you to carry a balance never come with an introductory 0% APR offer or any other signup bonuses.

What To Look For In A Fuel Card For Truckers

Keep the following in mind when looking for fleet fuel cards for truckers:

  • Get a card that fits your location. Many fuel cards can only be used at certain gas station chains or within networks that cover some regions of the country and not others. Look into exactly where a fuel card can be used before deciding on one.
  • Get a card that fits the amount of fuel you purchase each month. Many of the best fuel cards for trucking businesses offer rebates on fuel purchases, but these rebates are often tied to how much fuel your company buys each month. Try to determine how much fuel your company will use per month before getting a fuel card. This will help you see which card’s rebate program best caters to your fuel “sweet spot.”
  • Understand how the pricing works when considering a fuel card. Some fuel cards let you batch your fuel purchases after a certain length of time. That means you may be able to pay less than the price listed at the pump, but this pricing scheme can also come with its own fees and requirements. Be sure to understand the pricing before signing up for your fuel card.

Which Fuel Card Is The Best For Truckers & Trucking Businesses?

Like any other specialty industry, trucking businesses have unique financing needs. The fuel cards presented here are convenient instruments by which your business can save on the cost of fuel and keep employee spending under control.

If you’re looking for other financing options, you could also consider one of these top business credit cards, the best rewards business cards, a business line of credit, or semi-truck financing.

Featured Free Corporate Card

Ramp


Apply Now

Ramp offers a free corporate card for virtually any business. Start earning rewards with your corporate spending today. Get your free card.

For more information on setting up your trucking business for growth, Merchant Maverick is here to help. Check out the following resources!

FAQs About Trucker Fuel Cards (Fleet Cards)

How do you get a truck fuel card?

Most fuel card issuers offer an application on their website. To complete the application, you will have to provide details about yourself and your business.

How do trucking fuel cards work?

Truck fuel cards offer rebates on fuel purchases. Some fuel cards might carry additional benefits, such as loyalty bonuses, fraud coverage, online reporting, and other services to help manage your transportation business.

What are the benefits of having a fuel card?

The most significant benefit of having a fuel card is saving money on gas purchases via rebates. Fuel cards might also come with other benefits, such as loyalty rewards and fraud coverage.

Which fuel card is best for truck drivers?

No single fuel card is best for all truck drivers and trucking businesses — the best fuel card for you will depend on the size and location of your trucking company.

Which fuel card gives the best discount?

With an average discount of 25 cents per gallon on fuel, the RTS Fuel Card may offer the highest fuel discount. Unfortunately, its acceptance network is relatively small.

Which fuel card is easiest to get?

Fleet fuel cards typically require good to excellent credit, but the Discover it Secured credit card can be obtained with bad credit and gives you 2% cash back on fuel purchases. It requires a security deposit and does not offer fleet management features, however.

Which trucking fuel card is accepted at the most locations?

Several leading fleet cards are accepted at over 95% of US gas stations. However, the Coast card is accepted at any gas station or service location that accepts Visa, making it the fuel card with the broadest acceptance.

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Jason Vissers

Jason Vissers

Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Jason has been writing about small business software platforms, services, and financing since 2015. Jason’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Time/NextAdvisor, Home Business Magazine, CreditCards.com, GoBankingRates, TheLadders.com, and other publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Jason Vissers
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