Fuel Surcharge Calculator

A fuel surcharge is an extra fee carriers add to shipping rates when diesel prices rise above a set baseline — this calculator tells you exactly how much to charge per mile. Enter your baseline fuel price, current fuel price, and your vehicle's miles per gallon (MPG) into the Fuel Surcharge Calculator to get your fuel surcharge per mile. Secondary outputs include the surcharge percentage and the price difference per gallon between your baseline and current fuel cost.

$

Original diesel price per gallon used when setting your rates

$

Current diesel price per gallon

MPG

Average fuel efficiency of your vehicle

Results

Fuel Surcharge Per Mile

--

Surcharge Percentage

--

Price Difference Per Gallon

--

More Automotive Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fuel surcharge?

A fuel surcharge is an additional fee added to transportation costs to compensate for fluctuations in fuel prices. It helps carriers and shippers adjust for fuel price volatility without constantly renegotiating base rates.

How does a fuel surcharge work?

Fuel surcharges are calculated based on the difference between a baseline fuel price (set when contracts are established) and current fuel prices. The surcharge is typically expressed as a cost per mile or percentage of the base rate.

Who pays the fuel surcharge?

Typically, the shipper or customer pays the fuel surcharge to the carrier or trucking company. This helps ensure that carriers are not absorbing volatile fuel costs that can significantly impact their operating expenses.

What types of businesses use fuel surcharges?

Trucking companies, freight carriers, delivery services, airlines, shipping companies, and any transportation-based businesses commonly use fuel surcharges to manage fuel cost fluctuations.

Are fuel surcharges legal?

Yes, fuel surcharges are legal when properly disclosed and agreed upon in contracts. They must be clearly communicated to customers and applied consistently according to the agreed methodology.

How often should fuel surcharges be updated?

Most companies update fuel surcharges weekly or bi-weekly based on current fuel price data. Some use the Department of Energy's weekly diesel price reports as their reference point.

What is the baseline fuel price?

The baseline fuel price is the original diesel price per gallon that was used when calculating base transportation rates. It serves as the reference point for determining when surcharges should be applied.