Something you often hear from owner-operators is that driving is not just a job, it’s a profession built on sacrifice, self-reliance and serious risk. Owner-operators deal with a lot to keep their wheels turning: long hours, big overhead and the constant balancing act of managing life on the road with the realities of running a business.

There are undeniable rewards: freedom of the open road, being your own boss, the power to choose your own routes. But there are also huge challenges, one of which is financial. In this business, every cent counts. That's why it’s critical to find savings and maximize benefits wherever possible.

Fuel cards can help.

Fuel Cards for Owner Operators

A fuel card (also called a gas card) is a payment card specifically designed for purchasing fuel and related trucking expenses. These cards work similarly to credit or debit cards but are usually tied to a specific network of fueling stations and come with built-in features designed for drivers, like discounts and detailed reporting.

Fuel cards can come with:

• Per-gallon discounts
• Purchase tracking and spending controls
• Access to maintenance discounts and/or loyalty rewards
• Customizable security features

Gas cards are especially valuable to owner-operators who don’t have the administrative support of a larger fleet but still need tools to effectively manage their expenses.

How Fuel Cards Help Owner-Operators

Running solo means no room for waste. Fuel cards are uniquely suited to help owner-operators make the most of limited resources. Here’s how they specifically benefit small-scale operators:

• Discounted Fuel Prices: Fuel cards offer lower per-gallon prices at participating stations, sometimes saving you 10¢ to 50¢+ per gallon. Over time, that’s serious money in your pocket, especially when you’re paying every cent out of your own revenue.
• Simplified Budgeting & Tracking: Most cards generate itemized receipts and reports, helping you track expenses and stay on budget.
• Streamlined Tax Reporting: Fuel cards can make IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) filing easier by tracking purchases and providing downloadable reports. No more sorting through piles of receipts or trying to backtrack your route with a calculator.
• Improved Cash Flow: Unlike regular credit cards, most fuel cards feature interest-free weekly or biweekly billing. This gives you a short-term cash flow minus the debt.
• Extra Perks and Discounts: Many cards also offer rewards like:
  • Loyalty points for meals, showers and gear
  • Tire discounts or roadside assistance
  • Maintenance deals at national truck stop chains

Fuel Card Best Practices for Independent Owner-Operators

You’ve got to use fuel cards strategically to maximize their value. Here are some best practices for owner-operators:

• Plan Routes Around Partner Stations: Use your fuel card provider’s app to plan fuel stops at discount-eligible stations.
• Review Your Transactions Weekly: Make it a habit to go over your fuel purchases and reports every week. Look for billing errors, unusually high charges and patterns in fuel prices so you can make informed decisions about your routes.
• Set Card Restrictions: Even if you’re the only person using the card, consider setting up protections:
  • Limit your card to fuel-only purchases.
  • Set daily or per-transaction caps.
  • Require PIN authentication to guard against fraud.
• Reassess Your Card Every Year: Your routes, driving patterns and card perks — not to mention the price of diesel — will certainly change over time. New cards hit the market every year, so you’ll want to review your actual ROI and compare it with offers from competitors. Another provider might give you better discounts where you drive the most.

Streamline Solo Operations with Fuel Cards

Around 10–15% of truck drivers in the United States are solo owner-operators. This small but mighty group knows that managing operations on a smaller scale doesn’t mean thinking small. It means working smarter. You’ll definitely take on more risk as an owner-operator, but you’ll also have more control.

That control extends to how you manage your fuel costs — and a good fuel card can be a powerful tool.

RTS offers three fuel card options to meet the needs of truckers today. In addition to savings at Pilot Flying J stations nationwide, our RTS Plus network includes discounts at thousands of additional fuel stops, including Speedway, Circle K, Casey's and more.

Whether you’re an owner-operator or the manager of a larger fleet, reach out today for more information about our fuel card programs!