6 Best Fuel Cards For Truckers & Trucking Companies
Finding the right fuel card for your trucking company is a great way to save on fuel and monitor employee spending. Here are our to truck fuel card recommendations.
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Expert Analyst & Reviewer
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If you run a trucking business, finding the best fuel card for truckers can help you save some serious cash.
Fuel cards (sometimes 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 will give each of its drivers a fleet card to use when driving company vehicles on the clock. The drivers can then use their card at any fuel vendor within the card’s network of locations.
Typically, these networks will cover 10,000+ gas stations nationwide, though a few such networks feature hundreds of thousands of individual stations.
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This article details what we’ve found to be the best fuel cards for truckers and trucking companies. Let’s take a look.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Summary | Next StepsSummary |
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ExxonMobile BusinessPro  |
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WEX FlexCard  |
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Shell Fleet Navigator Card  |
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EFS Fleet One EDGE Card  |
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Shell Refillable Card  |
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Other Featured Options:
- ARCO PumpPass:
- Prepaid gas card can be used at the 1,300+ ARCO locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona
- Available in denominations up to $100
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents
- 1. Best Fuel Card For No Monthly Charges
- 2. Best Fuel Card For Small & Mid-Size Companies
- 3. Best Fuel Card For National Coverage
- 4. Best Fuel Card For Rewards
- 5. Best Prepaid Fuel Card For National Coverage
- 6. Best Prepaid Fuel Card For West Coast Use
- Are Fuel Cards Worth It?
- What To Look For In A Fuel Card
- FAQs About Trucker Fuel Cards (Fleet Cards)
- Which Fuel Card Is Right For My Trucking Business?
- In Summary: Best Fuel Cards For Truckers & Trucking Companies
1. Best Fuel Card For No Monthly Charges
ExxonMobile BusinessPro
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ExxonMobile BusinessPro | Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: |
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Pros
- No monthly or annual fees
- Rewards rate of 1-6 cents per gallon, depending on monthly purchase volume
- 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
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. What’s more, there are no monthly charges associated with the card and no setup fees.
This is the ExxonMobil BusinessPro fleet card’s rebate structure:
- Less than 500 gallons purchased during 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
The ExxonMobil BusinessPro fleet card is a charge card. As such, the card has no APR since you can’t carry a balance from month to month.
The ExxonMobil BusinessPro fleet card lets you view the following from your online 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
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).
2. Best Fuel Card For Small & Mid-Size Companies
WEX FlexCard
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WEX FlexCard | Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: |
|---|---|
Pros
- No monthly or annual fees
- Rewards rate of 3 cents per gallon
- Fleet & fuel management services
Cons
- The maximum 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.
The WEX FlexCard is technically a charge card, but unlike the ExxonMobil card, the WEX FlexCard allows you to carry a monthly balance when necessary. And while the FlexCard’s 3-cent rebate on every gallon of fuel purchased falls short of the maximum rate of the ExxonMobil card, 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.
The WEX FlexCard is accepted at 95% of fuel stations nationwide. Additionally, 45,000 US maintenance locations accept the card as well. Best of all, there’s no annual fee.
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.
3. Best Fuel Card For National Coverage
Shell Fleet Navigator Card
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Shell Fleet Navigator Card | Annual Fee:
Purchase APR: |
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Pros
- Rewards rate of up to 5 cents per gallon, depending on monthly purchase volume
- Spend controls and expense management
Cons
- Card comes with unspecified “limited fees”
If, when looking for the best fuel card for truckers, you’re seeking a card with the maximum possible coverage, look into the Shell Fleet Navigator Card.
This fuel 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.
The card comes with spending controls and expense management systems on par with every other fuel card out there. Furthermore, the Shell Fleet Navigator Card is not a charge card. It’s akin to a traditional credit card in that you can carry a balance from month to month. However, the card’s APR is not disclosed.
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 per month you need to buy before the 5-cent rate takes effect.
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.
4. Best Fuel Card For Rewards
EFS Fleet One EDGE Card
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Pros
- No monthly or annual fees
- Rewards rate averages 15 cents per gallon at 4,500 participating EDGE Discount sites
- Fleet management features
Cons
- Coverage is less extensive than some other fuel cards
The EFS Fleet One EDGE Card is a fuel card that, when used at one of 4,500 participating EDGE discount sites, will see you earning an average discount of 15 cents per gallon. Additionally, you’ll pay no fuel transaction fees when you use the card at over 4,000 in-network sites. Over 12,000 truck stops across the country accept the Fleet One EDGE Card. All for no monthly fee!
The card doesn’t have the most widespread coverage of the fuel cards listed here. Still, with advanced reporting, enhanced security controls, discounts on major tire brands, 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.
5. Best Prepaid Fuel Card For National Coverage
Shell Refillable Card
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Pros
- No monthly or annual fees
- You can put up to $300 on this prepaid card
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 (not so much 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. You can track the balance and your spending online.
If your company’s driving needs are limited, and you want to make sure only fuel is purchased on the company dime, consider using the Shell Refillable Card.
6. Best Prepaid Fuel Card For West Coast Use
ARCO PumpPass
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Pros
- No monthly or annual 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 a good prepaid gas card to use on the West Coast, where most ARCO stations are located.
You can get the card in denominations up to $100. If your business is a West Coast company with limited driving needs, you might want to give ARCO PumpPASS cards a look.
Are Fuel Cards Worth It?
Let’s tackle the larger question of whether or not fuel cards are worth getting in the first place.
If your business uses two or more company vehicles for travel, and your company purchases over 1,000 gallons of fuel every month, getting a fuel card can pay off by giving you 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 on 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 that 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, most fuel cards are charge cards. That means you won’t be able to carry a balance from month to month, giving you less leeway when paying your bills. Also, the fuel cards that do allow you to carry a balance never come with an introductory 0% APR offer. In fact, fuel cards just about never offer any signup bonuses.
What To Look For In A Fuel Card
Keep the following in mind when looking for 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 certain 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 truck drivers 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 be using per month before getting a fuel card. That will help you determine which card with a rebate program that 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 how the pricing works before signing up for your fuel card.
FAQs About Trucker Fuel Cards (Fleet Cards)
Which Fuel Card Is Right For My Trucking Business?
Just like any other specialty industry, trucking businesses have their own particular financing needs. Fuel cards are convenient instruments by which your business can save on the cost of fuel and keep employee spending under control. You could also consider one of these top business credit cards, best rewards business cards, a business line of credit, or semi-truck financing.
Featured Free Corporate Card
| Divvy |
|---|
Divvy 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 can help!
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In Summary: Best Fuel Cards For Truckers & Trucking Companies
- ExxonMobile BusinessPro:
- 1-6 cents per gallon rebate
- Gas card accepted at over 95% of fueling stations in the US
- No monthly or annual fees
- WEX FlexCard:
- No monthly or annual fees
- Flat rebate of 3 cents per gallon regardless of total monthly fuel spending
- Charge card that allows you to carry a balance if necessary
- Card accepted at 95% of US gas stations
- Shell Fleet Navigator Card:
- Carries limited (& undefined) fees
- Gas card offers a rebate of up to 5 cents per gallon
- Not a charge card, so you can carry a balance from month to month
- Card accepted at 95% of US gas stations
- EFS Fleet One EDGE Card:
- Average discount of 15 cents per gallon when used at one of 4,500 EDGE Discount sites
- In total, this gas card is usable at over 12,000 locations
- No monthly or annual fees
- Shell Refillable Card:
- Gas card can be used at all 25,000+ Shell locations in the US
- Up to $300 can be loaded onto the card at one time
- ARCO PumpPass:
- Prepaid gas card can be used at the 1,300+ ARCO locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona
- Available in denominations up to $100
Jason Vissers
Expert Analyst & Reviewer at Merchant Maverick
Jason Vissers has been researching, analyzing, and writing about small business software and finance since 2015. His financial expertise has been cited in numerous publications, including The Ladders. Jason graduated with a Political Science degree from San Diego State University in 2001.
View Jason Vissers's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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I’m looking for Sheetz commercial fuel cards. Any recommendations?
Thank you!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Ivana,
Unfortunately, we haven’t reviewed Sheetz Fuel cards yet, so we can’t give an opinion on them one way or the other. If you’re open to other options, we’ve made some solid recommendations within the post that may be worth exploring. Best of luck!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
I just got off the phone with Fuelman, and the information on your site, it outdated. They do not offer the Rewards any more.
Thanks
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Thanks, Lyndale! I’ve passed your message along to our editorial team.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
looking for commercial fuel cards. please contact
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Kathy,
We don’t actually offer fuel cards, we just review them. But we’ve done a lot of research here to help you find just the right fuel card for your business needs. We’d suggest using our review as a starting point, and encourage you to reach out to any of the fuel card companies that we’ve recommended here, if you think they might be a good fit for your business.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
This is quite informative article on fuel cards. Thanks for sharing the article.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.