FairFuel / Calculators / Courier & Delivery
Courier & Delivery Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Independent couriers and delivery contractors live on per-mile margins. This calculator is pre-set for a Sprinter or Transit cargo van at 16 MPG and converts the official EIA fuel price into an exact per-mile surcharge you can show a dispatcher, broker or direct customer.
- Price above baseline
MAX(0, $4.00 − $3.05) = $0.95/gal - Surcharge / mile
$0.95 ÷ 16 MPG = $0.0594/mi - Total surcharge
$0.0594 × 120 mi = $7.13
U.S. Average · Regular Gasoline · calculated November 2026. Only the increase above the baseline is passed on.
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Fuel Surcharge Adjustment — FairFuel Verified (EIA U.S. Average Gas Index: $4.00/gal vs. $3.05/gal baseline @ 16 MPG for 120 mi) — $7.13
Paste into QuickBooks, Jobber, Stripe or Housecall Pro.
A short, polite explanation that the surcharge follows official EIA data and drops automatically when fuel prices fall.
A printable FairFuel Verification Statement your customer can open. Preview statement →
Practical tips for courier & delivery businesses
- Quote the surcharge per mileShippers and brokers already think in cents per mile. Quote the surcharge the same way and it drops straight into a rate confirmation.
- Count deadhead milesYou burn fuel getting to the pickup and getting home. Use round-trip miles unless your contract says loaded miles only.
- Use your real MPGA loaded high-roof van in city traffic can fall to 12–14 MPG. Divide the miles from your last few fill-ups by the gallons pumped, and use that number.
- Update weekly, like the carriers doEIA publishes new prices every Monday. Large carriers adjust their fuel tables weekly; doing the same keeps your surcharge current and credible.
Need contract wording? See the free fuel surcharge clause templates.
Courier & Delivery fuel surcharge FAQ
What is a fair fuel surcharge per mile for a cargo van?
Take the current fuel price minus your baseline price and divide by your MPG. For example, if gas is $0.80 above baseline and your van gets 16 MPG, the fair surcharge is $0.05 per mile.
Do gig and app-based delivery drivers get a fuel surcharge?
App platforms set their own pay and rarely let drivers add a surcharge. Independent couriers who invoice their own customers or work under a direct contract can add one if their agreement allows it.
What fuel share should I use for delivery work?
Fuel is commonly 20–30% of operating cost for van delivery. FairFuel uses 25% as the default for delivery; adjust it to match your own books.
My Sprinter is diesel. Does the calculator handle that?
Yes. Switch the fuel type to Diesel and the calculator uses the EIA on-highway diesel price for your region instead of gasoline.