Diesel Savings Calculator
Estimate fuel card savings
Enter monthly gallons, discount cents per gallon and monthly card fee.
When to Use This Calculator
Use this calculator when a provider publishes or quotes a cents-per-gallon discount and you want to see the difference between gross savings and savings after a monthly card fee. It works best for quick screening before you compare the fee schedule, accepted locations and payment terms.
Input Fields
| Field | What to enter | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Gallons per month | Your expected diesel gallons for a normal month. | Use recent fuel records if available, not a target volume. |
| Discount cents per gallon | The stated discount, entered as cents, such as 20 for $0.20. | Confirm the reference price and eligible locations. |
| Monthly card fee | Known recurring account, card or plan fee. | If the fee is not clearly published, check with the provider. |
Formula
Gross monthly savings = gallons per month × discount per gallon. Net monthly savings = gross monthly savings - monthly card fee. Annual net savings = net monthly savings × 12.
How to Read the Result
The result is an estimate. It does not include transaction fees, out-of-network fees, cash-price differences, taxes, DEF purchases or route changes. If a card only discounts fuel at selected stops, compare the result against the gallons you can realistically buy in-network.
For a fuller comparison, use the fuel card fee calculator and read the diesel savings calculator guide.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is entering the advertised discount for every gallon when only part of the route can be fueled at eligible locations. A second mistake is ignoring the cash-price or credit-price reference. A 20-cent discount off a higher reference price may not beat a lower cash price nearby.
Another issue is using a perfect month as the baseline. If dispatch changes, a driver fuels out-of-network, or a card is unavailable during a funding delay, the realized savings can be lower than the calculator result.
Records to Keep With the Estimate
Save the gallons used, the discount quote, the fee schedule and the date checked. If the number came from a provider sales page, keep a screenshot or link. If the discount was quoted by a representative, ask for the rule in writing and note whether it applies to all locations or only a preferred network.
Related Terms
Gross savings, net savings, effective discount and diesel discount explain the numbers used in this calculator.