Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Estimate fuel surcharge
Formula used: (current diesel price - base fuel price) / MPG × miles.
When to Use This Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate a simple fuel surcharge from a base fuel price, current diesel price, truck MPG and route miles. It is a planning tool, not a contract calculator. Freight contracts, brokers and shippers may use different baselines, fuel indexes, rounding rules or update schedules.
Input Fields
| Field | What to enter | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Base fuel price | The contract baseline diesel price. | Whether the rate confirmation or contract defines a specific baseline. |
| Current diesel price | The diesel price used for the surcharge period. | Which diesel index or posted price applies. |
| MPG | The miles per gallon used in the formula. | Whether the contract uses actual MPG or a fixed MPG assumption. |
| Miles | Paid miles or route miles for the load. | Whether surcharge applies to loaded miles only or another mileage basis. |
Formula
Estimated fuel surcharge = max(0, (current diesel price - base fuel price) ÷ MPG × miles). Contract formulas may use different baselines or rounding rules.
How to Read the Result
The output estimates the extra fuel cost above the baseline. It does not guarantee reimbursement, and it does not decide what a carrier should charge. Use it to check whether a stated surcharge roughly matches the formula in your contract or rate confirmation.
Related reading: fuel surcharge explained and base fuel price.
Common Mistakes
Do not mix price sources. If the contract names a weekly diesel index, use that source instead of a random pump price. Also check whether the miles field should be loaded miles, practical route miles or billed miles from the rate confirmation.
A fuel surcharge is separate from a fuel card discount. The surcharge estimates freight revenue adjustment, while the fuel card affects purchase cost. Track both numbers separately when reviewing load profitability.
Records to Keep With the Estimate
Keep the base fuel price, current diesel price source, MPG assumption, mileage basis and contract or rate confirmation with the result. If a broker or shipper uses a different formula, this calculator should be used only as a rough comparison point.
Related Terms
Fuel surcharge, base fuel price, miles per gallon and diesel discount cover the main concepts behind this estimate.