Trucking Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Calculate the FSC per mile a broker should pay using DOE diesel price.
Fuel surcharge = (current diesel − base price) ÷ base MPG. At $3.85 diesel, $1.25 base, and 6.0 MPG base, FSC is $0.43/mile.
How it works
- 1Pull the weekly DOE price
The EIA publishes the on-highway diesel price every Monday. Most contracts reset FSC weekly off this number.
- 2Set base price & base MPG
Common base in 2026 contracts: $1.25/gal at 6.0 MPG, then escalate above the base.
- 3Quote with FSC line-itemed
Always show linehaul and FSC separately so brokers can't 'roll it in' at a lower effective rate.
Example: $3.85 DOE, $1.25 base, 6.0 MPG
| FSC per mile | $0.433 |
| On a 600-mi load | $260 |
Takeaway: Without FSC line-itemed, you'd absorb $260 of fuel on this load.
Key takeaways
- FSC resets weekly off the EIA on-highway diesel index.
- Industry-standard base is $1.20–$1.30/gal at 6.0 MPG.
- Always line-item FSC and linehaul separately to prevent broker roll-ins.
Expert tips from Bonafide dispatchers
- 1
Push for a 5.5 MPG base instead of 6.0 — that single change adds $0.04/mi at $3.80 diesel.
- 2
Lock contract FSC tables in writing; spot loads quote FSC inside the all-in rate.
- 3
Audit broker FSC monthly — under-reimbursement is the #1 unreported revenue leak.
Frequently asked questions
How is trucking fuel surcharge calculated?+
FSC per mile = (current DOE diesel price − contract base price) ÷ contract base MPG. It resets weekly when DOE publishes the new national average.
Who sets the fuel surcharge?+
The shipper or broker sets the contract base, but you negotiate it. Industry-standard base is $1.20–$1.30/gal at 6.0 MPG.
Last reviewed June 15, 2026 by the Bonafide Trucking Solutions dispatch team.