FairFuel / Calculators / Landscaping & Lawn Care
Landscaping Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Pulling a loaded trailer between properties burns far more fuel than the truck sticker suggests. This calculator is pre-set for a landscaping truck with trailer at 11 MPG and uses official EIA gasoline prices, so the surcharge you add to a route or a monthly maintenance invoice is fair and easy to defend.
- Price above baseline
MAX(0, $4.00 − $3.05) = $0.95/gal - Surcharge / mile
$0.95 ÷ 11 MPG = $0.0864/mi - Total surcharge
$0.0864 × 40 mi = $3.45
U.S. Average · Regular Gasoline · calculated November 2026. Only the increase above the baseline is passed on.
Ready-to-invoice toolkit
Free. No sign-up. Nothing is stored.
Fuel Surcharge Adjustment — FairFuel Verified (EIA U.S. Average Gas Index: $4.00/gal vs. $3.05/gal baseline @ 11 MPG for 40 mi) — $3.45
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 landscaping & lawn care businesses
- Surcharge per visit, not per mile, on route workDivide your daily route miles by the number of stops, then run that average through the calculator. A flat $1–$3 per visit is easier for residential customers to accept than a mileage line.
- Do not forget equipment fuelMowers, blowers and trimmers burn gas too. If equipment fuel is a real part of your costs, use the “By Invoice Total” tab with a fuel share that covers truck plus equipment (often 10–15%).
- Put the baseline in your seasonal agreementWrite the baseline price and the EIA region into your spring contract. When gas rises mid-season, the surcharge is already agreed and nobody is surprised.
- Drop it as soon as prices fallRemoving the surcharge the moment fuel returns to baseline is the fastest way to earn trust, and it makes the next increase much easier to explain.
Need contract wording? See the free fuel surcharge clause templates.
Landscaping & Lawn Care fuel surcharge FAQ
How much fuel surcharge should a landscaper charge?
Charge only the extra fuel cost above your baseline. Subtract the baseline price from the current price, divide by your MPG (about 11 MPG for a truck pulling a trailer) and multiply by the miles driven. For most routes that works out to between $1 and $4 per visit.
Can I add a fuel surcharge to a lawn care contract that is already signed?
It depends on the contract. If it has no price adjustment or surcharge clause, you generally need the customer to agree to the change. Give written notice, explain the calculation and add a surcharge clause at renewal.
Should I use a percentage or a flat fee for lawn maintenance?
A small flat fee per visit is usually clearest for residential customers. A percentage of the invoice works better for commercial accounts where job sizes vary widely.
What MPG should I use for a truck pulling a landscape trailer?
Most half-ton and three-quarter-ton gas trucks pulling a loaded landscape trailer get 9 to 13 MPG. 11 MPG is a reasonable default; use your own fuel logs if you have them.