Should You Use A Trucking Fuel Card Or Your Credit Card?

At OTR Solutions, we understand that trucking is a tough business. Long hours on the road away from family and friends can be difficult to handle. Add in tight deadlines, bad weather, and heavy traffic — it’s no wonder that truckers have one of the most stressful jobs out there.

The competition in the transportation industry is fierce, but at OTR Solutions, we’re here to see you succeed. One of the most challenging aspects of trucking is keeping track of your finances. Between fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and tolls, it can be difficult to know where you stand financially from one week to the next. So, should you use a diesel fuel credit card, like the OTR Fuel Card for these expenses, or your own credit card? Let’s dive into the different options you can use at the pump!

What Is A Fuel Card For Truckers And How Does It Work?

A trucking fuel card, also referred to as a diesel fuel card, is a card that truckers can use to purchase fuel for their vehicles. This card is linked to a trucker’s account, who can then use it to pay for fuel at participating truck stops. Trucking fuel cards offer numerous advantages over traditional methods of payment, such as cash or check. For one, they allow truckers to track their fuel expenses more easily. Additionally, some trucking companies offer discounts on fuel purchases made with a company-issued diesel credit card. At OTR Solutions, truck fuel card holders see an average of $0.50 savings per gallon at in-network locations — that can add up to over $600 per truck per month. Finally, fuel cards help streamline the refueling process, saving you time and hassle while on the road.

Is A Trucking Fuel Card The Same As A Gas Card?

Not at all. While you could certainly use a regular gas card to purchase diesel, there are two key benefits of having an actual trucker-focused product. First, you save more per gallon with a trucker’s fuel card for diesel. Second, fuel cards have built-in security measures that regular gas cards simply don’t.

Save On Diesel With the OTR Solutions Fuel Card

Enjoy deep discounts at over 8,000 truck stops with the OTR Solutions Fuel Card. Unlock your Fuel Card and gain access to the industry’s most innovative tools for truckers  by applying to factor with OTR Solutions.

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The Benefits Of Using A Fuel Card For Truckers

It might seem easier to just use your regular credit card when fueling up your truck, but the benefits of using a dedicated fuel card for truckers outweigh that consideration. Here they are:

You Save Money On Fuel

Bring that diesel price down! These specialized cards offer many discounts on fuel purchases at truck stops and other locations across the country. Since they’re specifically designed for drivers, they offer more savings than regular credit cards for truckers, keeping more money in your pockets and less time spent worrying about fuel costs.

Keep Track Of Your Expenses & Budget

A fuel credit card keeps track of all your fueling transactions. Simply log into your account online to see your current balance and how much fuel you’ve used.

Improve Your Credit Score

When used responsibly, a fuel card can help improve your credit score by demonstrating that you’re a responsible borrower and spender. However, if you miss payments or max out your credit limit, your score could suffer. To avoid this, always make sure to pay your bill on time and keep your balance well below your credit limit. These measures will ensure your financial standing is in good shape!

Avoid Annual Fees, Interest Charges, And Late Fees

There are no annual fees with trucking fuel cards! By paying off your balance in full each month, you’ll avoid interest charges and late fees. Trucking fuel cards can save you a significant amount of money on your operating costs, and it’s a solution worth considering if you are a truck driver, owner-operator, or a member of a small or large trucking company.

Use In Case Of An Emergency

With some trucking fuel cards, you may be able to get cash advances for fuel at certain locations. These cards for truckers can also be used to purchase other items at discounted rates, such as tires or maintenance essentials.

Tools for Maximizing the Benefits of Your OTR Fuel Card

Using the OTR Fuel Card goes beyond fuel savings—our technology enhances your experience by simplifying budgeting and planning on the road. Here’s how our tools make a difference:

OTR Mobile App

Manage your expenses, check savings, and track each transaction in real-time from the OTR Mobile App inside your phone. With our Fuel Finder tool, you can identify fuel stops along your route offering the best discounts, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to save.

Client Portal

The OTR Client Portal gives you a comprehensive view of your fuel and factoring accounts. Review invoices, track payment status, and monitor account activity from one central location, all designed to keep you informed and in control of your finances.

So, Which Is Better For Truckers’ Expenses: A Trucking Fuel Card Or A Regular Credit Card?

When it comes down to it, regular credit cards for truckers are more expensive and offer far less benefits. With fuel-specific discounts, no annual fees, easy expense tracking, and more, trucking fuel cards offer more for your trucking business. 

How Factoring Bundles with the OTR Fuel Card

Fuel cards can save you money, but when paired with factoring services from OTR Solutions, you unlock even greater financial stability. Factoring provides immediate access to cash from your delivered loads, which can be used to fund your OTR Fuel Card on the same day.

Instant Funding

Get paid for your invoices within hours, and transfer that cash directly to your fuel card. You’re ready to hit the road again without delays or worrying about fuel costs.

Integrated Cash Flow Solution

Factoring with OTR means steady, reliable cash flow, keeping you on the road longer without the hassle of waiting for broker payments. With funds directly accessible on your OTR Fuel Card, you can manage fuel expenses seamlessly.

Which Fuel Card is Best For Truckers? 

The Fuel Card offered by OTR Solutions is the best in the industry

• Use OTR’s Fuel Card at more locations than any other fuel card – over 8,000 truck stops nationwide accept it.
• Save an average of $0.50 per gallon at over 2,200 of those stations – a huge help if you’ve seen the way gas prices are these days.
• Integrate your OTR Fuel Card with our factoring solutions, allowing you to add funds to your fuel card directly from your factored invoices
• Access OTR’s Fuel Finder in the mobile app, showing you the stops on your route where you can fuel up at with big savings.
• Manage your cards and drivers with customizable spending and access limits for each card.

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Let’s Recap: Trucking Fuel Card vs. Credit Card

The clear winner here is Solutions’ powerful tools and services such as freight factoring. Additionally, consider third-part a trucking fuel card. The OTR Fuel Card offers an average savings of $0.50 per gallon, while also gaining you access to OTRy applications such as Upside to earn additional cashback from promotional deals at participating truck stops.

Think of OTR Solutions as Your Best Friend in Trucking

If you’re looking to save big on that not-so-small diesel price, you are going to need a reliable, affordable diesel fuel card. Look no further than OTR Solutions for a top-notch fuel card, as well as all our trucking services and solutions. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional value to our clients through innovative financing and back-office solutions for the transportation industry, and our fuel card is no exception — it’s the best fuel card for truckers.

In fact, we are more than just financing and back-office solutions. We’re your best friend in trucking, and we want to help make your business run as smoothly as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our fuel card for truckers and how we can help drive your business to success!

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