7 Best Fuel Cards For Owner-Operators in 2027

Fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for owner-operators, so finding an owner-operator fuel card that helps lower diesel costs can make a difference in profitability. Beyond fuel discounts, owner-operators can also benefit from credit terms to help manage cash flow, fuel price apps to find cheaper diesel along their routes, and reporting tools that simplify accounting and IFTA reporting.

In this guide, we compare some of the best fuel cards for owner-operators in 2027, including their discounts, fees, acceptance networks, and features to help you find the right card for your trucking business.

Owner-Operator Fuel Card Comparison

Best Fuel Cards for Owner-Operators

1. Mudflap

The Mudflap Fuel Card is a Visa fleet card built for owner-operators and small to mid-sized trucking fleets. With no monthly fees and deep discounts at 3,600 in-network locations, Mudflap is a low cost option focused on delivering real savings to fleets at truck stops. Since Mudflap is a Visa fleet card, it's accepted at any location that takes Visa.

	Mudflap
Accepting locations	Anywhere Visa is accepted
Discounts	Estimated 57¢/gal at in network locations, 2¢/gal everywhere else
Monthly card fee	$0
Out-of-network fee	$0
Late fee	3-6%
Trustpilot rating	4.2/5
Best for	Owner-operators who want discounts without the fees
Pros	Substantial discounts at 3,600 locations No monthly card fees, transaction fees, or setup fees Accepted at any station that takes Visa Easy to use fuel card portal with additional fraud protection features
Cons	Some Visa network merchants don't provide Level III fuel data

Key Features for Owner-Operators:

• Fuel price app: Find discounted diesel prices at participating truck stops and compare fuel prices along your routes.
• Fuel stop planning: Plan fuel stops along your routes to take advantage of the lowest available diesel prices.
• IFTA reporting: Access fuel transaction reports to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Track fuel purchases, access transaction history, and simplify bookkeeping.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set spending limits and monitor driver purchases to help prevent unauthorized spending.

2. CFN 

The CFN fuel card provides access to more than 3,000 discounted commercial cardlock locations and over 65,000 retail fuel stations and truck stops nationwide. It’s a popular choice for owner-operators and trucking fleets operating in the Western U.S., where cardlock sites outnumber traditional truck stops. Many trucking companies and businesses running large vehicles or heavy equipment in CA, OR, WA, AZ, or NV prefer CFN for its convenient access, competitive pricing, and 18-wheel-friendly locations.

	CFN
Accepting locations	3,000 discount locations; 65,000 gas stations and truck stops
Discounts	Estimated 35¢/gal at 3,000 discount locations
Monthly card fee	$0
Out-of-network fee	$0
Late fee	$0
Trustpilot rating	4.8/5
Best for	Owner-operators that run routes in CA, OR, WA, AZ, NV
Pros	Cost-plus pricing model often saves companies money on fuel CFN cardlocks allow drivers to fuel quickly without retail traffic and c-store distractions More CFN cardlock locations than truck stops in the Western U.S. CFN fuel card marketers provide more personalized support compared to large national fuel card companies
Cons	Limited cardlock coverage for companies not located in Western U.S.

Key Features for Owner-Operators:

• Daily fuel prices: View CFN fuel prices online with P-Fleet's CFN pricing map.
• Fuel location app: Find nearby CFN cardlock locations, check available fuel types, and get directions using the CFN FleetWide mobile app.
• IFTA reporting: Access free fuel reports that summarize purchases by state and vehicle to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Track fuel purchases, download invoices, and access detailed transaction reports to simplify bookkeeping.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set gallon limits, restrict fuel types, and control when drivers can purchase fuel.
• Fraud protection: Receive transaction alerts and electronic receipts to monitor fuel purchases, along with free fraud protection against qualifying unauthorized transactions.
• Fuel efficiency reporting: Track miles per gallon (MPG) and cost per mile (CPM) to monitor fuel efficiency and identify potential maintenance issues.

3. TCS

The TCS fuel card is accepted at over 12,000 truck stops across the country, with approximately 2,300+ designated as "in-network" locations where you'll get discounts and won't pay transaction fees. This card is designed for owner-operators and trucking companies, with acceptance through the Comdata and EFS fuel networks.

	TCS
Accepting locations	12,000 truck stops
Discounts	49¢/gal on average at 2,300 in-network truck stops
Monthly card fee	$0
Out-of-network fee	Varies by station outside of its 2,300 in-network locations
Late fee	None, prepaid fuel card
Trustpilot rating	4.4/5
Best for	Owner operators that want strong diesel discounts with a prepaid fuel card.
Pros	Strong truck stop savings at in-network locations
Cons	Transaction fees at out-of-network locations Prepaid fuel card only, no credit terms

Key Features for Owner-Operators

• Fuel price app: Use the TCS Fuel Finder to find discounted diesel prices, compare fuel locations, and plan fuel stops along your routes.
• IFTA reporting: Access fuel transaction records to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Track fuel purchases, review transaction history, and manage your fuel expenses through the TCS mobile app or online portal.
• No credit check: Since it's a prepaid fuel card you can apply for the TCS fuel card without a credit check or minimum fleet size requirement.
• Flexible funding options: Add funds to your prepaid fuel account using bank transfers, checks, Zelle, credit cards, debit cards, or digital payment methods.
• Maintenance discounts: Get discounts on tires, oil changes, preventative maintenance, and other services at TA Truck Service Centers.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set purchasing limits for fuel and non-fuel purchases and monitor driver transactions.
• 24/7 customer support: Access customer service representatives around the clock for assistance with your fuel card account.

4. NASTC

The NASTC fuel card is designed for owner-operators and small trucking companies looking for substantial diesel discounts. The card runs on the Fleet One network, with access to over 12,000 truck stops nationwide and 1,300 discounted locations within NASTC's Quality Plus Network (QPN). NASTC uses the collective buying power of its members to negotiate lower fuel prices, with reported average savings of 50¢ per gallon. However, you must become a NASTC member to qualify for the fuel card.

	NATSC
Accepting locations	12,000 truck stops
Discounts	50¢/gal average savings at 1,300 discount locations
Monthly card fee	N/A
Out-of-network fee	N/A
Late fee	N/A
Trustpilot rating	N/A
Best for	Owner-operators that are NATSC members
Pros	Strong diesel discounts  NASTC automatically chooses the best price at the point of sale
Cons	You have to be a NASTC member to get a fuel card

Key Features for Owner-Operators

• Fuel price map and route planner: Find discounted diesel prices at participating QPN locations and plan fuel stops along your routes.
• Lowest available fuel pricing: Automatically receive the lowest available price between cost-plus, retail-minus, and marquee pricing at participating QPN locations.
• IFTA reporting: Access fuel purchase reports to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting and other fuel tax reporting requirements.
• Expense tracking: Review detailed fuel transactions by card, driver, or vehicle to simplify bookkeeping and monitor fuel expenses.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set purchasing limits, restrict authorized fueling locations, and control which products drivers can purchase.
• Fraud protection: Use one-time authorization codes, transaction monitoring, and optional telematics-based fraud detection to help prevent unauthorized fuel purchases.

5. AtoB

AtoB is a fintech company offering a Mastercard-based fuel card that’s accepted nationwide. Designed for trucking fleets, AtoB combines broad network coverage with flexible payment options. The greatest savings are typically found at major truck stops, making it a strong choice for over-the-road (OTR) operations that rely on consistent access and competitive pricing across long-haul routes.

	AtoB
Accepting locations	Anywhere that accepts Mastercard
Discounts	Estimated 42¢/gal at truck stops; estimated 5¢/gal at gas stations
Monthly card fee	Monthly plan level options: Flat fee of $15 per account for 1-5 cards Basic tier - $3 per card Premium tier - $6 per card
Out-of-network fee	$0
Late fee	9%
Trustpilot rating	4.7/5
Best for	Owner-operators that want a tech focused fuel card
Pros	Works almost everywhere, so drivers aren’t hunting for a specific station Prepaid option Strong savings at 4,200 truck stops Solid fraud coverage policy
Cons	The Mastercard network has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks

Key Features for Owner-Operators

• Fuel price app: Find discounted diesel prices at participating truck stops and compare fuel prices along your routes.
• Flexible payment options: Choose between a prepaid fuel card or a charge card with a weekly credit line to help manage cash flow.
• IFTA reporting: Download fuel purchase reports showing gallons purchased by vehicle and state to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Track fuel purchases, download transaction reports, and manage fuel and other vehicle expenses in one portal.
• Maintenance discounts: Save on truck maintenance, repairs, truck washes, and other services through participating partners.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set spending limits, restrict purchasing categories, and control when and where drivers can fuel.
• Fraud protection: Use real-time fraud alerts, optional card unlocking through the app or text, and fraud loss coverage of up to $250,000 per account per year.

6. Axle (Pilot Flying J)

The Pilot Flying J Axle fuel card is designed for owner-operators and trucking fleets that regularly fuel at Pilot, Flying J, and One9 truck stops. The card provides diesel discounts up to 65¢ per gallon at more than 850 participating locations nationwide. With no monthly card fees or transaction fees, Axle is a low-cost option for owner-operators who regularly fuel within the Pilot Flying J network.

	Axle (Pilot Flying J)
Accepting locations	850+ Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network truck stops
Discounts	Up to 65¢/gal
Monthly card fee	$0
Out-of-network fee	$0
Late fee	20%
Trustpilot rating	N/A
Best for	Owner-operators that prefer to fuel at Pilot Flying J locations
Pros	Discounts at 850 Pilot, Flying J, and One9 truck stops No monthly card fees, transaction fees, or setup fees Easy to use fuel card portal
Cons	Only accepted at Pilot, Flying J, and One9 fuel stations Limited fuel card control options

Key Features for Owner-Operators

• Fuel location app: Find participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 truck stops along your routes using Pilot's location finder.
• Credit terms: Purchase fuel on credit and pay your invoice later to help manage cash flow.
• IFTA reporting: Access fuel purchase reports to help simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Review detailed fuel transactions by driver, vehicle, and date, along with reports showing estimated fuel savings.
• Maintenance discounts: Get $30 off qualifying tire or service purchases, 10% off service center hourly rates, and no callout fee for qualifying roadside service.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set transaction limits, restrict fuel types, and control which locations drivers can use.
• Fraud protection: Benefit from 24/7 fraud monitoring and driver authorization prompts to help prevent unauthorized fuel purchases.

7. Love's

The Love's Express fuel card is designed for owner-operators and trucking fleets that regularly fuel at Love's truck stops. The card provides discounts off the cash price of diesel at more than 600 Love's locations nationwide, with savings of up to 25¢ per gallon, or up to 50¢ per gallon when combined with Love's Freight Factoring. With no monthly card fees or transaction fees, Love's is a low-cost option for owner-operators who regularly fuel at Love's locations.

	Love's
Accepting locations	600+ Love's truck stops
Discounts	Cash price discounts of up to 25¢/gal, or up   to 50¢/gal with Love’s Freight Factoring
Monthly card fee	$0
Out-of-network fee	$0
Late fee	N/A
Trustpilot rating	N/A
Best for	Owner-operators that prefer to fuel at Love's locations
Pros	Discounts at 600+ Love's truck stops No monthly card fees, transaction fees, or setup fees RFID tag option for increased security Easy to use fuel card portal
Cons	Only accepted at Love's fuel stations

Key Features for Owner-Operators

• Fuel price app: Find Love's truck stops along your routes and plan fuel stops using the QuikQ mobile app.
• Credit terms: Purchase fuel on credit and pay your invoice later to help manage cash flow.
• IFTA reporting: Access fuel purchase reports showing gallons purchased by state to simplify quarterly IFTA reporting.
• Expense tracking: Review fuel transactions in real time, download reports, and track purchases by driver or vehicle.
• Maintenance purchases: Use the Love's Express Billing Program to pay for tires, truck maintenance, roadside assistance, and other services at participating Love's locations.
• Cardless RFID fueling: Use a SmartQ RFID tag attached to your truck to authorize fuel purchases without swiping a physical fuel card.
• Fraud protection: Use SMS verification to authorize purchases and help prevent unauthorized fuel transactions.
• Spending controls: For owner-operators with multiple trucks, set transaction limits, restrict fueling locations, and control which products drivers can purchase.
• 24/7 customer support: Access customer support around the clock for assistance with your fuel card account.

Are Fuel Cards Worth It for Owner Operators?

Fuel cards can be worth it for owner-operators, primarily because of the fuel discounts they offer. Since fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for an owner-operator, even saving 10-30¢ per gallon can add up to thousands of dollars annually.

Beyond fuel discounts, fuel cards can also help owner-operators manage cash flow by offering credit terms and simplify accounting through consolidated fuel statements and IFTA reporting.

For owner-operators who also own a few trucks and employ other drivers, fuel card spending controls become more important. Fuel cards allow them to set purchasing limits, restrict purchases to fuel only, and monitor transactions to help prevent unauthorized spending and fuel fraud.

However, not all fuel cards offer the same value. Owner-operators should compare the actual price they pay for diesel, the number of discounted locations along their routes, and any card fees or transaction fees to determine whether a fuel card is worth it for their business.

Tips for Finding the Best Owner-Operator Fuel Card

1. Find the Best Discounts at the Stations You Fuel At

Start by looking at where you typically purchase diesel along your routes. Compare fuel cards to see which ones offer the best discounts at those locations. Keep in mind that the largest advertised discount doesn't always mean the lowest fuel price. You need to consider the pump price, and then subtract discount to get the actual price you pay per gallon. It's possible to pay more at a location that has a higher discount, but the pump price is also higher compared to other nearby locations.

2. Evaluate Fees Before You Apply

Fuel card fees can quickly eat into your fuel savings. Look for monthly card fees, transaction fees, and late fees when comparing providers. Some fuel cards advertise large discounts, but charge fees that reduce your overall savings. Make sure you understand the total cost of using the card before applying.

3. Read Real Customer Feedback

Before choosing a fuel card, take a few minutes to read reviews from other fleets on third-party websites like Trustpilot. Pay attention to feedback about customer service, billing, fuel discounts, and any unexpected fees. Reviews can give you a better idea of what it's actually like to use the fuel card.

4. Test the Online Portal and Mobile App

As an owner-operator, you probably don't want to spend much time managing your fuel card account. Look for a provider with an easy-to-use portal that lets you find discounted fuel prices, review transactions, pay invoices, and download reports for accounting and IFTA reporting. Ask for a demo to see how the system works before applying.

5. Understand Fraud Protection Policies

Even if you're the only person using your fuel card, fraud protection is still important. Ask providers how they monitor suspicious transactions, what fraud coverage they offer, and how they handle unauthorized purchases. If you own multiple trucks and have other drivers using your cards, look for additional spending controls and transaction alerts to help prevent unauthorized purchases.

P-Fleet Fuel Cards for Owner-Operators 

P-Fleet offers two fuel card programs for owner-operators looking to save money on fuel and simplify their fuel expenses. Our CFN fuel card provides access to discounted fuel prices at commercial cardlock locations, while our Voyager fuel card offers broad nationwide acceptance and fuel discounts at participating stations.

Both programs come with no monthly card fees, transaction fees, or late fees, along with free fraud protection. Our online fuel card portal makes it easy to track purchases, review invoices, and download reports for accounting and IFTA reporting. For owner-operators with multiple trucks, you can also set spending limits and monitor fuel purchases by driver or vehicle.

Whether you operate one truck or a small trucking fleet, P-Fleet provides competitive fuel pricing, flexible purchasing options, and the tools you need to manage your fuel expenses.