Diesel fuel prices are constantly changing and planning for the ups and downs in the price of America's trucking fuel, is very important.
Fuel costs can vary by trip and load, let RealTruckers help
Fuel costs can be one of the prominent costs that an owner-operator must know about before, during and after they move loads around the country.
Keeping track of this cost can help you budget for upcoming years and give you a better understanding of what your business needs are.
What Does Fuel Cost?
On average, the amount of money an owner/spends on fuel each year ranges from $50,000 to $70,000.
A simple calculation to keep track of what your fuel costs will help you stay on top of your fuel expenses. All you have to do is to divide the average miles per gallon (mpg) of your truck by the cost of fuel per gallon.
Once you have that number, you can multiply by the number of miles that you expect to drive in a year. This will give you your estimated cost per mile for fuel.
Although this calculation is a good way to estimate your fuel costs, how much you spend on fuel can vary by trip and load. There are many factors that will affect the cost, so it is best to speak with the Real Truckers community about your individual circumstances.
How Can I Save Money on Fuel?
One way to save money on fuel costs is to find the “sweet spot” of your engine.
This refers to the RPM that is the most efficient for your engine. Finding the sweet spot on your truck is not always something that you can determine on your own, but you can always contact your dealer to find out the specs for your engine and how to take advantage.
Another way to save on fuel costs is by utilizing discounted fuel cards. These can be beneficial for owner-operators who have a fleet of vehicles, but they can also be useful for individuals.
Our friends at Drive Logistics offer discount fuel cards for truckers to save on fuel costs. Please contact Drive Logistics if you have any questions about figuring out your yearly fuel costs or to get a fuel card.