Fuel Cards / Pricing
Fuel Surcharge Schedule in trucking
Plain-English explanation
A fuel surcharge schedule is a published table or formula that determines the fuel surcharge component of a freight rate based on current diesel fuel prices. Rather than renegotiating fuel compensation every week, carriers and shippers who use FSC schedules agree in advance on how the surcharge will adjust as fuel prices change. Most FSC schedules reference the DOE (Department of Energy) national average weekly on-highway diesel retail price, published each Monday and widely used as the industry standard reference. When the DOE price moves up or down, the FSC adjusts according to the schedule's pricing bands. Example schedule structure: DOE price $3.00-$3.15 -- FSC = $0.34/mile DOE price $3.16-$3.31 -- FSC = $0.38/mile DOE price $3.32-$3.47 -- FSC = $0.42/mile (Each bracket moves FSC by a set increment) For carriers in linehaul-plus-FSC contract arrangements, the FSC schedule provides automatic revenue adjustment when fuel costs change -- protection against the extended fuel cost exposure that comes with an all-in contract rate. When diesel rises $0.30/gallon, the FSC increases by the schedule's corresponding increment. For spot freight, FSC schedules are less commonly used -- spot loads are typically all-in rates or linehaul-plus-a-flat-FSC-amount, not tied to a published index.
Fuel card language should be checked against the pump receipt, card controls, discount method, network location, and statement. The advertised discount is not the whole calculation.
Why it matters in trucking
For carriers in long-term contract rate arrangements, the FSC schedule is the mechanism that prevents fuel cost changes from eroding contract profitability. A carrier who agrees to a linehaul contract rate without an FSC schedule (or with an all-in rate) takes on fuel price risk for the contract period. Understanding what triggers FSC changes, how quickly they take effect, and how much they adjust is important for revenue forecasting.
Fuel choices add up quickly. A route with a cheaper network price can still be the wrong call if it burns time, adds empty miles, or conflicts with card controls.
Example in real use
A carrier and shipper agree on a contract rate for a dedicated lane: $1.85/mile linehaul plus FSC per the DOE schedule. In March, the DOE price averages $3.40 -- FSC per the schedule is $0.43/mile. In September, DOE spikes to $4.25 -- FSC adjusts to $0.58/mile. Total pay per mile in September: $1.85 + $0.58 = $2.43, versus $2.28 in March. The FSC schedule protected the carrier from absorbing a $0.75 diesel price increase on a contract lane.
Common mistakes or confusion
- Not specifying which DOE price index the FSC schedule references -- national average, regional average, and specific state prices can differ significantly; the referenced index must be defined in the contract.
- Agreeing to a contract rate structure without an FSC adjustment mechanism and then watching fuel cost rise through the contract period with no rate offset.
- Not understanding the lag in FSC schedules -- most schedule updates lag the DOE publish date by one week; carriers should verify when their specific schedule updates relative to the published price.
Related terms
Related guides
Fuel Card Terms is the best next place to keep learning this topic.
Sources and last updated
Last updated: 2026-05-08