Fuel Cards for Trucking Companies
A trucking fuel card gives discounts at participating truck stops, spending controls and itemized fuel records you can use for IFTA reporting. Compare cards by where you actually fuel, how the discount is calculated, fees, credit terms and the reports they export.
By TruckerStack Editorial, AK Digital Marketing LLC · Checked against official sources on 2026-11-04 · Editorial policy · Not insurance, legal or financial advice.
Why use one
- Records: IFTA licensees must keep fuel receipts showing date, seller, gallons, fuel type and unit (IFTA, Inc. Procedures Manual); card statements make this easier.
- Controls: limits by driver, product (diesel only), location and time.
- Tax: federal diesel excise is built into the pump price; see IRS Publication 510 for credits that may apply to off-highway use.
Comparison checklist
| Factor | Question |
|---|---|
| Network | Does it work at the chains on your lanes? |
| Discount | Retail-minus, cost-plus or cents-per-gallon? Applied at pump or as rebate? |
| Fees | Card, monthly, transaction, out-of-network, late fees. |
| Credit | Prepaid, secured or credit line; personal guarantee? |
| Reports | State-by-state gallons export for IFTA? |
| Factoring tie-in | Is the card tied to a factoring contract? |
Fuel cards and IFTA
Export gallons by jurisdiction from your card and miles from your ELD, then run the quarter in our IFTA calculator. Keep the original receipts too; card data alone may not satisfy an audit.
Related
FAQ
What is the best fuel card for a small trucking company?
The one accepted where you fuel, with transparent discounts and fees and IFTA-ready reports; compare against your own lanes.
Do fuel cards help with IFTA?
They provide itemized purchase data by state, but keep original receipts as IFTA recordkeeping rules require.
Can I get a fuel card with new authority?
Many issuers offer prepaid or secured cards or tie cards to factoring; check fees and guarantees.