Base fuel price
A contract baseline diesel price used in many fuel surcharge formulas.
Why It Matters
Base fuel price affects fuel-cost estimates used in freight pricing or route math. It is an estimate unless the contract defines the formula.
How It Shows Up
- Base fuel price may appear in freight contracts, calculators, rate confirmations or internal route costing sheets.
- It depends on an agreed formula, base price, current price source, MPG and mileage basis.
- Fuel card discounts and surcharges should be tracked separately.
Example
When base fuel price is used for route math, keep the diesel price source and MPG assumption with the calculation so the number can be reviewed later.
Common Mix-Up
A surcharge estimate is not a guaranteed payment unless the contract or broker agreement defines the formula.
What to Check
- Confirm the formula and data source used for base fuel price.
- Keep base price, current price, MPG and miles in the same units.
- Do not treat calculator output as a guaranteed reimbursement amount.
Questions to Ask
- Which source or formula defines base fuel price?
- Is the calculation based on loaded miles or total route miles?
- How often should the number be refreshed?
Related Fuel Card Profiles
TCS Fuel Card
TCS describes a cash-secured fuel card for owner-operators, small trucking companies and fleets. Its public page states no activation, membership, monthly or annual fees, no transaction fees at in-network locations, an app, account tools and a broad accepted-location claim.
Mudflap
Mudflap is an app-based diesel discount program rather than a traditional fleet credit card. Public app listings describe choosing a truck stop in the app, connecting a debit or credit card and receiving a fuel savings code, with no credit check language in the app listing.
RoadFlex Fuel Card
RoadFlex positions its card around broad station acceptance, spend controls, reporting and fee transparency. Public pages reviewed state no transaction fees and no out-of-network fees for listed plans, but applicants should still confirm card pricing and qualification terms.