Fuel surcharge calculator

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How this calculator works

Enter the current diesel price from the EIA weekly publication, the per-mile (or percentage) FSC rate from your schedule, and the load's applicable mileage. The calculator produces the FSC dollar amount, the total freight pay (linehaul plus FSC), and the FSC expressed as a share of linehaul and of total pay.

If your schedule uses a percentage-of-linehaul method instead of cents per mile, select that option and enter the percentage — the calculation adjusts accordingly.

How FSC schedules work

A fuel surcharge schedule is a lookup table that maps diesel price ranges to per-mile or percentage FSC rates. Most broker and shipper FSC schedules follow a structure like: diesel $3.50–$3.59 → $0.32/mile; diesel $3.60–$3.69 → $0.35/mile; and so on in $0.10 increments. The rate increases as diesel prices rise, and falls as diesel falls. Because the EIA price updates weekly (published each Monday), the FSC on loads dispatched in a given week should be calculated using the price published at the start of that week — not the current pump price at any specific fuel stop.

Some FSC schedules have a floor — a minimum FSC that applies even when diesel is below a certain price. Others have tiered structures with larger per-bracket rate changes at higher diesel price levels. The rate confirmation or shipper/broker agreement should specify which schedule version applies.

Which miles to use

Most fuel surcharge schedules apply to the same mileage figure the broker used to calculate the linehaul rate — typically the practical miles from a standard routing tool (PC Miler, Rand McNally). Some rate confirmations specify a different mileage basis for FSC (hub miles, door-to-door miles, or a specific mile figure). Check the rate confirmation for a mileage note before entering your number — if the rate confirmation is silent, use the mileage on the confirmation.

When FSC becomes material

At $0.15/mile FSC on a 600-mile load, the surcharge adds $90 to the invoice — roughly 6–8% of a typical linehaul rate on that lane. At $0.30/mile on the same load, it adds $180. Because FSC adjusts weekly and can move $0.05–$0.10/mile during periods of diesel price volatility, the difference between high- and low-FSC weeks on a load with significant mileage can be $50–100. On invoice review, the most common FSC errors are: using last week's EIA price instead of the current week's, using the wrong mileage basis, or applying a percentage FSC to gross pay instead of linehaul-only.

All-in rate vs. fuel surcharge

Some brokers quote all-in rates — a single number that includes both linehaul and fuel surcharge. Others quote a base linehaul with a separate FSC that adjusts weekly. When comparing offers, calculate the all-in total for both approaches at the current diesel price. An all-in rate transfers fuel price risk to the carrier — if diesel drops, the carrier keeps the benefit; if diesel rises, the carrier absorbs the cost. An itemized FSC passes some of that price movement through automatically each week.

Frequently asked questions

How is a fuel surcharge calculated?

Look up the current EIA weekly on-highway diesel price. Find the matching bracket in your FSC schedule to get the per-mile rate. Multiply by load miles (using the mileage on the rate confirmation). Add to linehaul for total freight pay.

Which diesel price index does the FSC schedule use?

The EIA Weekly U.S. On-Highway Diesel Fuel Price is the most common index. It is published each Monday and applies to loads dispatched that week. Some schedules reference a regional EIA price instead of the national average — check your rate confirmation to confirm which index applies.

What is the difference between all-in rate and fuel surcharge?

An all-in rate bundles linehaul and FSC into one number — the carrier absorbs diesel price changes. An itemized FSC adjusts weekly as diesel moves. To compare offers accurately, calculate the all-in total for both approaches using the current week's diesel price.

Which mileage figure do I use for FSC?

Use the mileage on the rate confirmation — that is the same figure the broker used to calculate the linehaul. If the rate confirmation specifies a different mileage basis for FSC, use that figure instead. The FSC is not calculated on actual odometer miles.