FairFuel / Calculators / Hotshot & Box Truck
Hotshot & Box Truck Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Hotshot rigs and 16–26 ft box trucks typically run 10 to 12 MPG on diesel, so a swing in diesel prices hits your margin immediately. This calculator uses the same EIA on-highway diesel index the big carriers use, scaled to your truck and your lane.
- Price above baseline
MAX(0, $6.13 − $3.822) = $2.308/gal - Surcharge / mile
$2.308 ÷ 12 MPG = $0.1923/mi - Total surcharge
$0.1923 × 300 mi = $57.70
U.S. Average · On-Highway Diesel · 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 Diesel Index: $6.13/gal vs. $3.822/gal baseline @ 12 MPG for 300 mi) — $57.70
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 hotshot & box truck businesses
- Negotiate the baseline with the rateA fuel surcharge only makes sense relative to a baseline (peg) price. Agree on the peg and the EIA region when you agree on the line-haul rate.
- Use the regional diesel indexDiesel on the West Coast can run more than a dollar above the Gulf Coast. Pick the state where you buy most of your fuel so the index matches your real cost.
- Know your loaded MPGA dually with a loaded 40 ft gooseneck may get 8–10 MPG; the same truck empty may get 14. Use the loaded figure for loaded miles.
- Put the EIA reference on the rate confirmationPaste the invoice line from FairFuel into the rate con or invoice so the broker’s accounting team can verify the surcharge without a phone call.
Need contract wording? See the free fuel surcharge clause templates.
Hotshot & Box Truck fuel surcharge FAQ
How is a diesel fuel surcharge calculated for hotshot loads?
Subtract the baseline (peg) diesel price from the current EIA diesel price, divide by your MPG and multiply by the miles. At $1.20 above baseline and 12 MPG, the surcharge is $0.10 per mile.
What baseline diesel price should I use?
Use the price that was in effect when you set your rates or signed the contract. FairFuel’s contract date lookup fills in the official EIA monthly average for that month and region.
Do I need IFTA to charge a fuel surcharge?
No. IFTA is a fuel tax reporting agreement for qualifying interstate vehicles. A fuel surcharge is a pricing term between you and your customer and does not depend on IFTA registration.
What MPG does a 26 ft box truck get?
Most 24–26 ft diesel box trucks average 8 to 11 MPG depending on load, terrain and speed. 10 MPG is a reasonable default.