Fuel surcharge calculator for small businesses
Work out a fair fuel surcharge in seconds, backed by official U.S. government fuel prices. Then copy a ready-made invoice line, a client email, or a printable proof link.
- 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 × 45 mi = $2.67
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 @ 16 MPG for 45 mi) — $2.67
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 →
How the math works
You only pass on the increase in fuel cost, never the full fuel bill. If prices fall back to your baseline, the surcharge drops to zero automatically. That is what makes it fair, and easy to explain to a customer.
Calculators by industry
Landscaping & Lawn Care
Pre-set for a truck + trailer at 11 MPG, indexed to official EIA gas prices.
Regular Gasoline · 16 MPGCourier & Delivery
Pre-set for a Sprinter or Transit cargo van at 16 MPG with official EIA fuel prices.
Regular Gasoline · 15 MPGHVAC, Plumbing & Electrical
Pre-set for a service van at 15 MPG, based on official EIA gas prices.
Diesel · 12 MPG (Box Truck: 10 MPG)Hotshot & Box Truck
Pre-set for 10–12 MPG diesel using the official EIA on-highway diesel index by region..
Diesel · 9 MPGTowing & Roadside
Pre-set for a diesel tow truck at 9 MPG with the official EIA diesel index.
3 free templatesFuel Surcharge Contract Clauses
Sample clauses you can copy into a service agreement or rate sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair fuel surcharge?
A fair fuel surcharge passes on only the extra fuel cost above an agreed baseline price. FairFuel calculates it as (current price − baseline price) ÷ your MPG × miles driven. When fuel falls back to the baseline, the surcharge is zero.
Where do the fuel prices come from?
From the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the federal agency that publishes official weekly retail prices for regular gasoline and on-highway diesel. FairFuel refreshes the data every 24 hours.
Does FairFuel cover my state?
Yes. All 50 states and D.C. are covered. EIA publishes state-level prices for some states; every other state uses the official price for its PADD region (for example Midwest or Gulf Coast). You can always type in the exact price you pay.
What is a baseline price?
It is the fuel price your rates were built on, usually the price when you signed the contract or set your price list. If you do not know it, choose the month you signed and FairFuel fills in the official EIA average for your region.
Is it legal to charge a fuel surcharge?
In general U.S. businesses may charge a fuel surcharge if it is clearly disclosed and agreed to. Some regulated services, such as non-consent towing, have their own rules. This tool does not provide legal advice.
Is FairFuel really free? Do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up. FairFuel has no database: your numbers stay in your browser, and proof links carry the calculation in the URL itself.