Fuel is your largest expense. At 1,200 gallons/month and $3.80/gallon average, you are spending $54,720/year on diesel. A fuel card that saves $0.20/gallon puts $2,880 back in your pocket. At $0.35/gallon, that is $5,040.
The problem is every fuel card claims to offer “huge discounts.” The actual savings depend on where you fuel, how much you buy, and whether the fees eat the discount. Here is how the major fuel cards actually compare.
FUEL CARD COMPARISON: THE REAL NUMBERS
2026 FUEL CARD COMPARISON
Ranges are wide because discounts vary by station, volume, and whether you are fueling at an “optimized” stop (where the card provider has negotiated a deeper discount) versus a standard stop.
HOW EACH CARD WORKS
RTS Fuel Card
RTS negotiates bulk discounts at truck stops across the country and passes a portion of that savings to cardholders. The discount per gallon varies by location — some stops offer $0.15 off, others offer $0.42 off. The RTS app shows you the discount at each station before you pull in, so you can plan your fuel stops around the best deals.
Best for: Owner-operators willing to plan fuel stops. The deepest discounts require routing through specific stations, but the savings are significantly higher than loyalty programs.
Fees: No annual fee, no monthly fee on the basic card. Some card tiers have transaction fees — confirm your specific plan before signing up.
Network: Major truck stop chains nationwide including Pilot/Flying J, Love’s, TA/Petro, and independent stops.
Mudflap
Mudflap is an app, not a physical card. You open the app at a participating truck stop, it shows you the discounted price, and you fuel up. Payment processes through the app. No card to carry, no application, no credit check.
Best for: Operators who want savings with zero commitment. There is no signup process — download the app, create an account, and fuel. Good for testing fuel discounts before committing to a card.
Fees: None. No monthly fee, no transaction fee, no annual fee.
Network: 1,500+ truck stops nationwide. Heavier presence at independent stops and smaller chains where they have negotiated better rates.
TCS Fuel Card
TCS (Transport Clearing Solutions) bundles their fuel card with factoring services. If you already use TCS for factoring, the fuel card is a natural add-on. Discounts are moderate ($0.08–$0.15/gal) but consistent across a large network.
Best for: Carriers already using TCS for factoring. The integration between fuel purchases and your factoring account simplifies cash flow management.
Fees: May include transaction fees depending on your factoring agreement. The fuel card itself typically has no separate monthly fee when bundled.
Comdata
Comdata is one of the largest fleet card providers. Their network covers virtually every truck stop in the country. Discounts range from $0.05 to $0.25/gallon depending on volume and negotiated rates.
Best for: Small fleets (2+ trucks) that can leverage volume for better rates. Single-truck operators get the lower end of the discount range.
Fees: Monthly fee on some plans ($10–$25/month). Per-transaction fees on some card types. Read the fee schedule carefully — a $15/month fee on modest volume can offset the discount entirely.
WEX / EFS
WEX (formerly EFS) is another large fleet card. Accepted at most major truck stops. Discounts are on the lower end ($0.03–$0.15) for owner-operators. Better rates are available for fleets.
Best for: Carriers who need the widest possible acceptance network and do not want to plan stops around specific stations.
Truck Stop Loyalty Programs (Pilot, Love’s)
Pilot/Flying J and Love’s both offer loyalty rewards programs that provide small per-gallon discounts ($0.02–$0.08). These are not traditional fuel cards — they are loyalty programs that stack with other cards.
Best for: Everyone. These are free to join and stack on top of your fuel card savings. Sign up for both Pilot MyRewards and Love’s My Love Rewards even if you use a separate fuel card. Free money.
ANNUAL SAVINGS AT DIFFERENT VOLUMES
Here is what each card saves at typical owner-operator fuel volumes, assuming average discounts.
ANNUAL SAVINGS COMPARISON (1,200 GAL/MONTH)
The difference between the best card (RTS at $4,032) and loyalty-only ($576) is $3,456/year. That is money sitting on the table if you are not using a fuel card.
YOUR FUEL CARD SAVINGS
Monthly gallons: 1,200 (100,000 miles ÷ 6 MPG ÷ 12 months, rounded)
Average discount: $0.25/gallon
Monthly savings: $300
Annual savings: $3,600 — that is 3 truck payments or 3 months of insurance.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FUEL CARD
Do not overthink this. The decision comes down to three factors.
1. Where do you fuel? Check each card’s station locator against your regular routes. A card with $0.40/gal discounts is worthless if the nearest participating station is 50 miles off your lane. The best card is the one that offers discounts at the stops you already use.
2. What are the fees? A $0.15/gal discount with a $25/month fee saves you $190/month at 1,200 gallons — minus $25 = $165 net. A $0.12/gal discount with no fees saves $144/month. The first card is still better, but the gap is smaller than it looks. Always calculate net savings after fees.
3. Are you willing to plan fuel stops? Cards like RTS and Mudflap reward you for fueling at optimized stations. If you plan routes around them, you get the deepest discounts. If you fuel wherever is convenient, the savings will be lower. Operators who route-plan around fuel discounts save 30–50% more than those who do not.
FUEL CARD VS FUEL OPTIMIZATION: THE BIGGER PICTURE
A fuel card saves you $0.15–$0.42/gallon. But fuel optimization strategies can save even more:
Route planning. Avoiding 50 miles of deadhead per week saves 8+ gallons — $2,500+/year at current prices. That is more than some fuel cards save.
Speed management. Reducing cruising speed from 68 to 63 MPH improves fuel efficiency by 5–8%. On 100,000 miles/year, that is 700–1,100 fewer gallons — $2,660–$4,180 saved.
Tire pressure. Properly inflated tires improve fuel economy by 1–3%. On $55,000/year in fuel, that is $550–$1,650.
Idle reduction. An idling truck burns 0.8–1.0 gallons/hour. Four hours of unnecessary idling per day costs $18,000+/year. An APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) pays for itself in 6–12 months.
The fuel card is the easiest win — sign up once and save automatically. But combining it with fuel optimization is where the real money is. A carrier who uses an RTS card AND manages speed, routing, and idle time can cut total fuel spend by 15–25%.
TRACK YOUR ACTUAL FUEL COST PER MILE
The Financial Dashboard tracks fuel spend, cost per mile by category, monthly trends, and your breakeven rate. See exactly how much fuel cards and optimization save you month over month.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Every owner-operator should have a fuel card. At a minimum, sign up for Pilot and Love’s loyalty programs (free, $500+/year savings). For real savings, add a dedicated fuel card:
Best overall savings: RTS Fuel Card — deepest discounts ($0.15–$0.42/gal), no annual fee, large network. Requires some route planning around optimized stops.
Easiest to start: Mudflap — no card, no application, no fees. Download the app and start saving at your next fuel stop. Average $0.25/gal off.
Best for factoring users: TCS Fuel Card — integrates with TCS factoring, simplifies cash flow. Moderate discounts ($0.08–$0.15/gal).
At 1,200 gallons/month, the right card saves $3,000–$5,000/year. That is real money — enough to cover 3–4 months of insurance or your entire annual maintenance budget. Do not leave it on the table.
RELATED GUIDES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RTS offers the deepest discounts ($0.15–$0.42/gal) with no annual fee. Mudflap is the easiest to start with (app-based, no card, no fees, $0.25+ average savings). For carriers already using TCS factoring, the TCS Fuel Card integrates directly. The best card depends on your routes and whether you are willing to plan fuel stops around discounted stations.
At 1,200 gallons/month with a $0.25/gal average discount, a fuel card saves $3,600/year. Top savings (RTS at optimized stops) can reach $4,000–$5,000+/year. Even loyalty programs alone (Pilot, Love’s) save $500–$700/year for free.
Some do. RTS basic card has no annual or monthly fee. Mudflap has zero fees. Comdata and WEX may charge $10–$25/month or per-transaction fees. Always check the fee schedule and calculate net savings (discount minus fees) before committing.
No. Each card has a network of participating stations. Most major truck stops accept multiple fuel cards, but discount amounts vary by station and card. Check each card’s station locator against your regular routes before signing up.
Yes. A single truck burning 1,200 gallons/month saves $2,400–$5,000+/year with a fuel card. There is no minimum fleet size for most cards. Even app-based options like Mudflap work for single-truck operators with zero commitment.