Red dyed diesel offers upfront savings for businesses that operate off-road vehicles because it’s tax exempt. But buying it isn’t as simple as pulling into any gas station and swiping a credit card. Many locations that sell red dyed diesel at the pump require a red dyed diesel fuel card to make the purchase.
In this guide, we break down how red dyed diesel fuel cards work, where you can actually buy red dyed diesel, why many stations require a fuel card for these purchases, and which fuel cards give you the best access to red dyed diesel locations nationwide. Whether you’re fueling construction equipment, agricultural vehicles, or refrigerated trailers, this guide will help you find a red dyed diesel fuel card for your operation.
Table of Contents
- Red dyed diesel fuel cards: overview
- What is a red dyed diesel fuel card?
- Which fuel stations carry red dyed diesel?
- Why do many stations require a fuel card to purchase red dyed diesel?
Red Dyed Diesel Fuel Cards: Overview
The best fuel cards for buying red dyed diesel are the ones that give you access to the largest number of locations that sell it at the pump. Below are fuel cards we’ve verified can be used to purchase red dyed diesel.
| Red Dyed Diesel Fuel Card | Number of Red Dyed Diesel Stations | Monthly Fee | Late Fee | Trustpilot Rating |
| CFN | 2,100+ stations | None | None | 4.8/5 |
| Pacific Pride | 1,700+ stations | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Varies by provider |
| Fuelman | 1,200+ stations | $39-99 for the account | 17.99% | 2.5/5 |
| Voyager | 1,200+ stations | None | None | 4.8/5 |
Some other business fuel cards may also support red dyed diesel purchases, but they don’t clearly advertise it on their websites. If you want to explore additional options, check out our list of the 10 best business fuel cards, then reach out to the providers directly to confirm whether red dyed diesel purchases are supported.
What Is a Red Dyed Diesel Fuel Card?
A red dyed diesel fuel card is a fleet fuel card that lets businesses buy tax-exempt red dyed diesel (also known as off-road diesel) for off-road vehicles and equipment at gas stations, truck stops, and cardlock locations. The big advantage is you get the tax savings upfront at the pump, instead of paying full price for regular diesel and filing for a refund later on your red dyed diesel purchases.
Most of these cards can also be used for other fuel types like gasoline and on-road diesel, so you can manage controls and reporting for all fleet fuel purchases in one place.
Which Fuel Stations Carry Red Dyed Diesel?
Red dyed diesel is mostly used for commercial vehicles and equipment, so most retail gas stations don’t carry it because the general public has no need for red dyed diesel. If you’re looking for off-road diesel, you’ll usually find it at commercial fueling sites (cardlocks) or truck stops.
These locations are built for business fleets and often carry red dyed diesel for companies that use it regularly, like construction crews and reefer fleets. Check out this map and list of red dyed diesel locations to find a station near you.
Why Do Many Stations Require a Fuel Card to Purchase Red Dyed Diesel?
Some states require a permit to purchase red dyed diesel. Because of that, many stations will only allow customers with a fleet fuel card to purchase red dyed diesel, since the fuel card provider has typically verified the permits and paperwork tied to the account.
If stations allowed dyed diesel purchases with cash or a regular credit card, there wouldn’t be a built-in verification step. That can put the station at risk if they sell off-road diesel to someone who isn’t permitted to buy it.
Get Access to the Largest Network of Red Dyed Diesel Stations with P-Fleet
The P-Fleet CFN fuel card gives you access to the largest network of red dyed diesel locations nationwide, so you can get the tax-exempt savings upfront at the pump when fueling off-road equipment. And because it’s the same card you use for the rest of your fleet. You can manage red dyed diesel and your regular fuel purchases under one fuel card program.
You can set limits by driver or vehicle and track every transaction with reporting that shows who fueled, where, when, how many gallons they bought, and what it cost. Everything is managed in the P-Fleet portal, where you can review transactions, adjust controls, and download reports anytime. Whether you’re fueling construction equipment, ag machinery, or reefer units, P-Fleet keeps your red dyed diesel and fleet fuel spending organized in one place.
