Fuel Surcharge Calculator
The standard FSC formula: (current diesel − base price) ÷ MPG. See the fair surcharge per mile and for the whole trip.
How this calculator works
FSC per mile = (current diesel price − base price) ÷ contract MPG. When diesel is at or below the base, the surcharge is zero — the linehaul rate already covers fuel that cheap.
Trip surcharge = FSC per mile × miles. On percentage-of-linehaul freight, the same recovery is often folded into the rate — this tool shows what that fold-in should be worth so you can tell whether the "all-in" rate actually covers fuel.
Frequently asked questions
How is a fuel surcharge calculated?
The standard formula: (current diesel price − base fuel price) ÷ truck MPG = surcharge per mile. Example: ($3.60 − $1.25) ÷ 6.0 = $0.39 per mile. Multiply by the trip miles for the total surcharge.
What base fuel price should I use?
$1.20–$1.25 per gallon is the traditional industry baseline — the fuel cost already assumed inside the linehaul rate. Whatever number you use, it must be written into the contract; the base is a negotiation point, not a law.
Where does the "current price" come from?
Most contracts peg it to the DOE weekly national average diesel price, published every Monday by the EIA. Using a public index keeps both sides honest — nobody argues with the pump receipt lottery.
Why 6 MPG in the formula when my truck does better?
The divisor is a contractual assumption, not your actual MPG. 6.0 is the common standard. If your truck really runs 7.5 MPG, a 6.0-based surcharge over-recovers your fuel cost — that spread is yours to keep, and it rewards efficient equipment.