Fuel component
Freight Fuel Surcharge Calculator
Apply an entered fuel percentage to the linehaul base only when the governing program says fuel is separate.
Fuel surcharge equals the applicable base charge × the current contracted or published percentage. EIA publishes weekly on-highway diesel-price data but explicitly does not calculate, regulate or endorse a universal freight surcharge formula.
Free charge worksheet · no signup
Calculate the fuel surcharge on your entered rate
Use the percentage and eligible base from your carrier tariff or contract for the shipment date. This tool does not fetch a live rate or turn a diesel price into a universal surcharge.
Illustrative arithmetic only: a $1,000 eligible base × 25% gives $250 fuel. A $75 charge outside that base makes $1,325 in entered charges. These are not observed market rates.
What changes the result?
A useful calculation starts with the physical scope and the written commercial terms. These are the factors to make explicit:
- Carrier or contract fuel program
- Effective week and region
- Index and baseline
- Charge base to which the percentage applies
- Minimums, caps and exceptions
Use one scope for every quote
Give each business the same information and ask it to resolve the same boundaries. That makes the totals more comparable and exposes work left as an allowance or exclusion.
- Save the published percentage and date
- Confirm the correct calculation base
- Do not add fuel to an all-in rate
- Keep the rate confirmation with the invoice
EIA is an input source, not the surcharge setter
Many transportation companies use EIA diesel data in their formulas, but EIA says every company has its own method and that the agency does not calculate or regulate the surcharge.
The percentage needs an effective date
Use the carrier or contract table that applies to the shipment's mode and date. A current percentage from one carrier cannot be transferred automatically to another carrier or agreement.
Apply the percentage to the stated base
Some programs apply fuel to net linehaul or another defined subtotal. This worksheet applies the entered percentage only to the eligible base you supply. Confirm that base and the applicable date in the governing terms before relying on the total.
Questions people ask
Who sets freight fuel surcharges?
The carrier, broker arrangement or contract sets the formula. EIA supplies fuel-price data but does not set a universal percentage.
How is the calculator's fuel amount calculated?
When fuel is separate, it multiplies your entered eligible base by the percentage you supply. Other entered charges remain outside that base. When fuel is already included, no second surcharge is added. The tool does not calculate a live linehaul rate.
Can I use this week's EIA diesel price as the surcharge?
Not directly. Use the applicable carrier or contract table that converts an index value into a percentage or amount.
What if my rate is all-in?
Select that fuel is already included. The worksheet will not add a second surcharge.
Method and sources
The model is a planning tool, not a quotation. These are the published sources used for this page; read the full assumptions before relying on a range. Source review: 14 September 2026.
- US EIA diesel fuel surcharges
Official weekly diesel-price data boundary and confirmation that EIA does not set a universal surcharge formula; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- US EIA weekly diesel methodology
Official survey and estimation method for weekly on-highway diesel prices; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- Old Dominion LTL pricing guide
Carrier explanation of weight, dimensions, class, lane, fuel and accessorial inputs; reviewed 14 September 2026.
- US EIA fuel-surcharge FAQ
Confirms that carrier/shipper terms set the method and EIA does not calculate, regulate or endorse a universal surcharge; checked 9 October 2026 for the entered-percentage worksheet.