Fuel Surcharge: A fuel surcharge is an additional charge added to a freight rate to offset changes in diesel prices. It is usually based on a fuel price index and the miles of the trip.
Why it matters to owner operators
When diesel jumps, a flat rate can quietly turn unprofitable. Ask whether the rate is all-in or whether a surcharge is paid on top, and make sure it appears on the rate confirmation.
Example
A broker quotes a base rate plus a per-mile surcharge. When diesel rises past the base fuel price in the agreement, the surcharge goes up.
Free tool: Try our Fuel Cost Calculator to put this into numbers.
Related terms
Business & Finance: Questions about invoicing, fees or getting paid on time? Our dispatch team handles invoicing and broker follow-up for the carriers we work with. Talk to our dispatch team or browse the full trucking glossary.
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