Compare the top fuel cards for owner-operators and small carriers — EFS, Comdata, TCS, RTS, and Mudflap. Discounts per gallon, network size, fees, credit building, factoring integration, and which card is best for new vs established operators.
return ( Why Fuel Cards Matter for Owner-Operators Fuel is your single largest operating expense as an owner-operator — typically 30-40% of gross revenue .
A fuel card that saves even 5-10 cents per gallon adds up to thousands of dollars per year.
But fuel cards do more than just save on diesel.
They help with cash flow management, expense tracking, IFTA reporting, and in some cases, building business credit.
Not all fuel cards are created equal.
Some are essentially discount apps with no credit line.
Others function like business credit cards with revolving balances.
Understanding the differences helps you pick the right one for where you are in your business.
The Top Fuel Cards Compared EFS (Electronic Funds Source) by WEX EFS is one of the most widely used fuel card programs in trucking, now operated under the WEX umbrella.
Network — Accepted at most major truck stops including Pilot/Flying J, Love's, TA/Petro, and thousands of independent locations.
One of the broadest networks available.
Discounts — Fuel discounts vary by location but typically range from 2-8 cents per gallon at in-network locations.
EFS negotiates volume discounts with fuel stop chains.
Fees — Transaction fees typically $1-2 per fueling.
Some plans have monthly account fees of $10-15.
Out-of-network transactions may carry higher fees.
Credit — EFS offers both prepaid (load money onto the card) and credit-line options.
Credit lines are based on your operating history and fuel usage patterns, not traditional credit scores.
IFTA reporting — Fuel purchases are automatically categorized by state and jurisdiction, making IFTA quarterly filing significantly easier.
Integration — Works with most factoring companies.
Many factors offer direct fuel advances loaded to EFS cards.
Best for — Established carriers with consistent fuel volume who want broad acceptance and factoring integration.
Comdata Comdata has been in the trucking payment space for decades and offers one of the most feature-rich fuel card platforms.
Network — Very broad acceptance at major chains and independents.
Comdata's proprietary network includes virtually all major truck stops.
Discounts — Fuel discounts of 3-10 cents per gallon depending on the stop and your negotiated rate.
Comdata's fuel optimizer tool identifies the cheapest fuel along your route.
Fees — Transaction fees around $1.50-2.50 per fueling.
Monthly card fees may apply depending on the plan.
Some plans have minimum fuel volume requirements.
Credit — Comdata offers credit lines based on your authority age, fuel usage, and revenue.
New carriers may start with prepaid-only access.
Fleet controls — One of Comdata's strongest features.
You can set per-transaction fuel limits, restrict purchase categories (fuel only vs.
fuel + maintenance), set daily/weekly spending caps, and get real-time alerts.
IFTA reporting — Automatic state-by-state fuel purchase tracking with downloadable IFTA reports.
Best for — Small fleets and owner-operators who want detailed .
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