How To Plan Your Diesel Fuel Stops Effectively As A Trucker

As a trucker, you know that fuel is essential—it’s the lifeblood of your journey. Yet, it often feels like a never-ending headache as prices keep climbing.

We all experience the frustrations that come with managing fuel costs, but don’t worry! We have effective strategies that will not only help you save money on fuel but also give you back valuable time on the road.

Let’s jump right in!

How Planning Diesel Fuel Stops Benefits Cash Flow

Simply put, planning fuel stops ahead of time has three benefits: the ability to pre-budget out your funds for fuel, knowing ahead of time the approximate time you’ll spend in your truck before fuel (and how much you’ll spend at the truckstop) and the newly found coping skill to reduce the ever-so-frustrating “fuel panic”.

1. Pre-Budget Fuel Funds

The first benefit to planning your fuel stops ahead of time is the ability to pre-budget fuels based on the truck stops fuel price average. If you’ve driven without a dedicated fuel plan before, you may have noticed that the difference between fuel in downtown Chicago and the suburbs can be pretty different (sometimes dollars higher in the city), and it should go without saying, budgeting, in general can help you protect your precious cash flow.

But how can you know the cost of fuel in your location? Great question! Click here to skip ahead to our section about the OTR Fuel Finder.

2. Estimate Your Time Per Stop

The next advantage to planning your diesel fuel stops ahead of time is having a rough estimate of time spent in your truck before needing to fuel and having a general idea of how much time you’ll spend at the truckstop itself.

Simply put, you’ll need to work out a little calculation before estimating your time, ready? It’s easy: T=(CxE)/S

Where:

• T is the time spent before needing a fuel stop (in hours).
• C is the fuel tank capacity (in gallons).
• E is the fuel efficiency (in miles per gallon).
• S is the average speed of the truck (in miles per hour).

If you’re anything like me, math functions can be a bit tricky, so let’s break it down:

Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) × MPG ÷ Average Speed (mph) = Time Before You Need to Stop for Fuel

Now, how do you calculate your average speed? Great question, fellow trucker!

One way is to check your GPS and review the stretches of road you’ve been driving on. Typically, it’s safe to assume your average speed will fall between 45 and 65 mph. By considering the overall route, you can make a quick estimate. For example, if you’re mostly on the highway, you’re probably cruising closer to 65 mph.

How about time spent at the truckstop itself?

Another excellent question, my friend! To estimate your truck stop time, consider:

Time to fuel up

This usually takes about 10-30 minutes, depending on factors like fuel tank size and pump speed.

Time for breaks

If you’re taking a rest, grabbing food, or using facilities, this can range anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.

So, the total time spent at the truck stop can be calculated like this:

Truck Stop Time = Fueling Time + Break Time
For example, if fueling takes 20 minutes and you’re grabbing a 30-minute break, your total stop time is:

Truck Stop Time = 20 minutes + 30 minutes = 50 minutes
Now that we’ve tackled our fun little math lesson, let’s dive into cash flow. As a trucker, time management is crucial—every minute off the road is potential revenue slipping through your fingers.

Without a solid fuel strategy, you’re not just losing time, you’re missing out on valuable earnings.
Pair this with smart budgeting tactics, and you’ll be well on your way to optimizing both your time and cash flow.

Planning fuel stops effectively not only keeps you on the road longer but also helps you reduce unnecessary costs, giving you a more predictable and profitable operation.

3. Reduce “Fuel Panic”

It’s late, you’ve got less than 80 miles to go, you’re tired, and… the fuel light comes on. You’re in the middle of nowhere, and you forgot to plan your fuel stops. Now what?

Whether you’re a trucker or not, we’ve all been hit with the dreaded “fuel panic”—that moment when you need fuel urgently but have no idea where the next gas station for truckers is.

Thankfully, by following the previous strategy of proper fuel planning, you can greatly reduce the risk of “fuel panic.” Not only will this save you time, but it will also help you maintain your cash flow by avoiding unplanned stops. More efficient planning means more time on the road, and as we covered earlier, more time on the road means more revenue and if you’re anything like me, you’ll save yourself a trip to the therapist to recoup your energy from the stress!

The Best Strategy to Plan Fuel Stops: OTR Fuel Finder + GPS Pins

We’ve covered why fuel stop planning is crucial and even had a few fun math lessons along the way—but now it’s time to put your plan into action, and it’s simpler than you might think!

Step 1: Use The OTR Fuel Finder to Find Fuel Stops in Route

Using a truck stop finder tool is your first step toward efficient fuel stop planning. We’re a bit biased, but our clients have consistently praised the OTR Fuel Finder for its ease and effectiveness.

The OTR Fuel Finder works hand-in-hand with our OTR Fuel Card—think of it as the better half of the duo. This tool helps you easily locate truck stops across the country partnered with the OTR Fuel Card to provide fuel discounts. With over 8,000 participating locations, including popular stops like TA, AMBEST, Speedway, Casey’s, and 7-Eleven, the OTR Fuel Card gives you access to savings while keeping your stops conveniently in route.

Get Your OTR Fuel Card

Step 2: Pre-Configure Your GPS to Have Allocated Stops

Now that we’ve explored our truck stop finder, let’s dive into how to use that information to plan your route effectively—before you even hit the road. This is where “pinning” comes in.

What is Pinning?
Pinning refers to pre-planning your long-haul trips by setting up multiple stops for fuel and breaks ahead of time. It allows you to strategically map out your route based on your fuel needs and driving limits, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey. Your GPS might call it “multi-stop routing,” but the concept is the same.

Once you’ve identified your fuel stops, enter them into your GPS before you start your trip. Use your GPS’s “multi-stop” feature to map out the entire route, including each planned fuel stop. This ensures that your stops are spaced out efficiently, maximizing driving time while minimizing unnecessary detours.

Along with diesel fuel stops, plan for any breaks you’ll need for rest, food, or downtime. Estimate how long each stop will take—whether it’s 20 minutes for fuel or an hour for a meal—and build this into your trip schedule. Pre-configuring your GPS with these stops will give you a clearer picture of your overall travel time.

It’s truly as simple as that!

Step 3: Profit!

The last step is to simply enjoy your new way of careful living and experience a slight increase in your cash flow and a strong decrease in your fuel-related-stressors.

Get Your OTR Fuel Card Today & Save On Fuel

Ready to plan effectively? Grab your OTR Fuel Card today and start saving on fuel. The best part is it’s prepaid and there are absolutely zero credit checks! Save an average of $0.50 per gallon at thousands of locations nationwide.

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