How a fuel surcharge is calculated
Most fuel surcharge programs in trucking use the same per-mile formula. The base (or peg) price is the diesel price already built into the linehaul rate. Anything above it is paid back to the carrier through the surcharge.
Fuel surcharge per mile = (DOE diesel price − base price) ÷ MPG Surcharge for the load = surcharge per mile × loaded miles Surcharge as % of rate = surcharge per mile ÷ linehaul rate per mile
Example: the EIA U.S. on-highway diesel average was $6.352 for the week of October 26, 2026. With a $1.25 base and 6 mpg, the surcharge is ($6.352 − $1.25) ÷ 6 = $0.85 per mile, or $425 on a 500-mile load.
Fuel surcharge per mile at different diesel prices
Base price $1.25, 6.0 mpg. Use the calculator above for your own base and MPG.
| DOE diesel price | Surcharge per mile | On a 500-mile load |
|---|---|---|
| $4.00 | $0.458 | $229 |
| $4.50 | $0.542 | $271 |
| $5.00 | $0.625 | $313 |
| $5.50 | $0.708 | $354 |
| $6.00 | $0.792 | $396 |
| $6.35 (Oct 26, 2026) | $0.850 | $425 |
| $7.00 | $0.958 | $479 |
| $8.00 | $1.125 | $563 |
Surcharge by region this week
Some agreements use a regional EIA price instead of the national average. Week of October 26, 2026, $1.25 base, 6.0 mpg:
| EIA region | Diesel | Surcharge per mile |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. average | $6.352 | $0.850 |
| East Coast | $6.079 | $0.805 |
| Lower Atlantic | $5.890 | $0.773 |
| Midwest | $6.480 | $0.872 |
| Gulf Coast | $5.951 | $0.783 |
| Rocky Mountain | $6.521 | $0.878 |
| West Coast (excl. California) | $6.614 | $0.894 |
| California | $8.155 | $1.151 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update, prices including all taxes. EIA publishes new prices every Monday.
Getting paid for fuel on every load
- Break out all-in spot rates. Subtract this week's surcharge from a broker's all-in offer to see the real linehaul, then compare it with your cost per mile.
- Read the peg and MPG in contracts. A $2.50 base or a 7 mpg assumption pays far less than a $1.25 base at 6 mpg.
- Check which week and region is used. Prices jumped about 17 cents in the two weeks to October 26, 2026. A program that lags a week can leave money on the table.
- Leased on? Check the lease. Your lease should say how the fuel surcharge is figured and whether all of it is passed to you.
- Track your real fuel cost. The fuel cost calculator shows what a trip burns, including idle time and DEF.
Common questions
What is a fuel surcharge in trucking?
A fuel surcharge (FSC) is extra pay on top of the linehaul rate that covers diesel above a base price written into the rate agreement. It rises and falls with the weekly DOE/EIA diesel average, so the carrier is not stuck paying for a fuel spike out of the linehaul.
How do you calculate a fuel surcharge per mile?
Subtract the base (peg) price from the current DOE diesel price, then divide by the MPG in the agreement. At $6.35 diesel, a $1.25 base and 6 mpg, the surcharge is ($6.35 − $1.25) ÷ 6 = about $0.85 per mile.
What base price do shippers use for fuel surcharges?
There is no single standard. Many contract programs use a peg around $1.20 to $1.25 a gallon, and DAT uses $1.25 in its rate data. Always use the base and MPG written in your own rate agreement.
How often does the fuel surcharge change?
Most programs reset weekly using the EIA on-highway diesel average, which is published every Monday (Tuesday after a Monday holiday). Some use the national average and some a regional one.
Do brokers pay a fuel surcharge on spot loads?
Most spot loads are quoted all-in, with fuel built into one number. Break out the fuel portion with this calculator so you know how much of the rate is really linehaul before you accept.