5 Best Fuel Cards for Owner Operators: Full Guide (2026)

Fuel is one of the biggest cost drivers for any owner-operator, often accounting for 30% or more of total expenses. The right fuel card for owner operators helps you gain control over fuel purchases, access discounts at truck stops, and keep your business running smoothly with better cash flow management.

Many fuel cards exist, but not all fuel card providers deliver the same fuel discounts, services, or benefits. This guide covers the best fuel card options for owner-operators, comparing price-per-gallon savings, network locations, transaction fees, and fuel management tools to help you save money on diesel fuel every time you fill up at the pump.

Key Takeaways

• Owner-operators can save thousands per year by using fuel cards instead of cash or personal debit cards at the pump
• Look for fuel cards with no personal guarantee required and prepaid options if you have credit challenges
• Key features to compare include per-gallon discounts, network coverage, transaction fees, IFTA reporting, and fuel management tools
• Many fuel cards offer additional discounts on services like tires, maintenance, and roadside assistance beyond fuel savings
• AtoB is the best fuel card for owner operators with fuel discounts of $0.45–$2.00 per gallon, universal acceptance at 99% of fuel stations, and $250,000 fraud protection

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Top 5 Fuel Cards for Owner Operators

1. AtoB Fuel Card

AtoB delivers the best discounts in the industry, with universal acceptance, making it the top fuel card for owner-operators who want maximum fuel savings without network restrictions.

This fuel card company serves over 30,000 fleet customers and 100,000+ drivers across the U.S., offering fleet card solutions that work at 99% of fuel stations nationwide. Unlike many fuel card companies that limit you to specific locations, AtoB runs on Visa and Mastercard networks—so you can fuel up anywhere your truck takes you without worrying about fuel prices at out-of-network locations.

Key Benefits:

• Fuel discounts of $0.45–$2.00 per gallon on diesel fuel at 3,500+ truck stops
• Universal acceptance at 99% of fuel stations and 30,000+ gas locations
• No transaction fees on fuel purchases—save on every gallon of fuel purchased
• $250,000 fraud protection guarantee against unauthorized purchases
• No personal guarantee required for credit
• Prepaid option available with no credit check (AtoB Unlimited fleet card)
• IFTA reporting and detailed expense tracking services
• 24/7 multilingual customer services with call pickup under 30 seconds
• Mobile app with fuel price finder, card unlock, and spending control

Pricing: AtoB Unlimited costs $3 per active card per month. AtoB Flex (credit) starts at $15/month for up to 5 cards. There's a one-time $35 setup fee with no hidden fees.

Best for: Owner-operators and small-fleet owners who want the best discounts and access to the widest network of fuel stations, without credit checks or personal guarantees.

2. TCS Fuel Card

The TCS fuel card was specifically designed by this fuel card company for owner operators and company truck drivers who frequent major truck stops like TA, Petro, and AMBEST.

TCS provides fuel savings at over 2,300 in-network locations with $0 transaction fees. Their cash-secured card works like a debit card, making it accessible for drivers with any credit history while still delivering per-gallon fuel discounts at various fuel types.

Key Benefits:

• Cash price at over 12,000 fuel locations nationwide
• $0 transaction fees at 2,300+ in-network truck stops
• IFTA-ready reports for simplified tax filing services
• Fuel management through a mobile app and an online portal
• Third-party checks accepted for loading funds
• Tire and service discounts at TA Truck Service centers
• Document scanning services for expense tracking

Pricing: TCS uses a cash-secured model—you load funds and pay no monthly fees on basic accounts. Some premium fuel programs may have costs.

Best for: Owner-operators who primarily fuel at major truck stop chains and want a no-fee, cash-secured fuel card from a trusted company.

3. Multi-Service Fuel Card

Why it's great: Multi-Service Fuel Card, now part of the Shell group company, offers owner operators advanced security with One-Time PIN technology to prevent card skimming fraud at the pump.

This fuel card provider accepts payment at over 9,000 truck stop locations across the U.S. and Canada, with dedicated high-flow diesel pumps for Class 7-8 trucks. Their fuel programs help drivers save on every purchase.

Key Benefits:

• One-Time PIN fraud protection—unique code for each fuel purchase
• Cash price savings of $0.02–$0.06 per gallon vs. credit price
• Personalized discounts based on your preferred brands and fuel volume
• Flexible credit options for secured and unsecured accounts from this company
• Reports to credit bureaus to build business credit for your company
• Fleet managers portal with spending limits and card control services

Pricing: Credit-based with customized pricing based on fleet size and fuel usage. Contact the company for specific rates.

Best for: Owner operators concerned about fuel card fraud who want enhanced security features and credit-building benefits to save money.

4. EFS Fuel Card

EFS (owned by WEX) provides enterprise-grade fuel management tools with acceptance at 12,000+ truck stops across North America. The Fleet One EDGE program offers competitive fuel discounts at major locations like Pilot Flying J, TA, Petro, and AMBEST.

Key Benefits:

• Fuel discounts of $0.12–$0.15 per gallon through the EDGE network
• MoneyCodes and ComChecks for driver pay and fuel advances
• Integration with TMS and accounting software
• CAT Scale payments through the Weigh My Truck app
• 24/7 customer services and support

Pricing: Contract-based fees—not publicly disclosed. Best for fleets that can negotiate volume-based pricing.

Best for: Owner operators with more than one truck who need advanced fleet management tools and software integration.

5. RTS Fuel Card

RTS Financial combines fuel card services with factoring, making it ideal for owner operators who need help with cash flow while waiting for load payments.

Key Benefits:

• Fuel discounts at 3,500+ fuel stations
• Weekly credit limits up to $3,200 per truck
• No setup fees or monthly fees
• Factoring integration for same-day load payment

Best for: Owner-operators who use factoring services and want a combined solution for fuel and cash-flow management.

Why Owner Operators Need a Fuel Card

As an owner-operator, you're responsible for managing every aspect of your trucking business—from hauling freight to tracking fuel expenses. Using cash or a personal debit card at the pump means missing out on significant fuel savings and making tax reporting harder than it needs to be.

The best fuel cards for owner operators offer:

• Fuel discounts that reduce the cost per gallon at truck stops
• Cash price access instead of higher credit prices when purchasing fuel
• Fuel management tools to track spending and set limits on fuel purchases
• IFTA reporting to simplify quarterly tax filings for your company
• Fraud protection with spending limits and security features
• Credit-building services to help small fleet owners establish business credit
• Additional discounts on services like tires, maintenance, and roadside assistance

Whether you have one truck or more than one truck, using an owner-operator fuel card puts you in control of your fuel expenses while delivering savings at the pump. Many fuel cards also offer fuel programs with loyalty benefits for consistent users.

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How to Choose the Best Fuel Card for Your Business

When selecting an owner-operator fuel card, consider these factors:

Network Coverage: Does the fuel card work at the truck stops along your routes? AtoB's universal acceptance covers 99% of fuel stations, while others like TCS focus on specific locations.

Fuel Discounts: Compare the per-gallon savings. AtoB delivers up to $2.00 per gallon discounts—significantly higher than many fuel cards that offer just $0.10–$0.15 per gallon.

Fees: Look for hidden transaction fees, monthly fees, and annual fees. The best fuel cards, like AtoB, have transparent pricing with no surprise charges.

Credit Requirements: Some fuel card companies require credit checks and personal guarantees. Owner-operators with credit challenges should consider prepaid options like AtoB Unlimited or TCS's cash-secured card.

Fuel Management Tools: Features such as spending limits, per-driver spending limits, IFTA reporting, and mobile apps help you track fuel expenses and gain control over your business.

Cash Flow Support: If you need help managing cash flow between loads, consider fuel cards that offer fuel advances or integrate with factoring services.

FAQs

Do fuel cards save money compared to cash?

Yes. Fuel cards typically provide access to the cash price at the pump (saving $0.02–$0.06 per gallon vs. credit price) plus additional discounts negotiated by the fuel card provider. Top fuel cards like AtoB save owner operators up to $2.00 per gallon on diesel fuel.

Can I get a fuel card with bad credit?

Yes. Many fuel cards offer prepaid or cash-secured options that don't require credit checks. AtoB Unlimited is a prepaid fuel card with no credit check required, making it accessible to owner operators with any credit history.

How do fuel card discounts work?

Fuel card providers negotiate volume discounts with truck stops and pass those savings to cardholders. Discounts are typically calculated as "retail minus" (fixed discount per gallon) or "cost plus" (based on wholesale fuel prices plus a small markup).

Start Saving on Fuel Today

The best fuel cards for owner operators combine deep fuel discounts with universal acceptance, transparent pricing, and powerful fuel management tools. For owner operators seeking the highest savings with no network restrictions, AtoB stands out as the clear winner.

Ready to cut your fuel costs and keep your business running smoothly? Apply for an AtoB fuel card and start saving up to $2.00 per gallon at 99% of fuel stations nationwide.

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Citations:

1. https://www.iftach.org/
2. https://www.usa.gov/credit-reports
3. https://www.atob.com/#atob-for-fleets