8 Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs for Your Trucking Business

Fuel is one of the biggest operating expenses for trucking companies. With diesel prices so high, every gallon is costing your business more money.

While you can't control the price of diesel at the pump, there are things you can control to help reduce fuel consumption, improve your miles per gallon (MPG), and keep more of what you earn.

Drawing on our team's experience and expertise, we've put together a list of practical tips to help you reduce fuel costs and save money on diesel.

1. Reduce Unnecessary Idle Time

Whether you're waiting for a load, taking a break, or parked overnight, unnecessary idling eats into your fuel.

Here's what you can do:

• Turn off your engine during unnecessary stops when it's safe and practical.
• Consider using an auxiliary power unit (APU) or bunk heater to reduce overnight idling.
• Monitor idle time to identify opportunities to reduce fuel consumption.

2. Watch Your Speed

The faster you drive, the harder your truck has to work to push through air resistance, which means it consumes more fuel.

Maintaining a steady, fuel-efficient speed can help improve your semi-truck's MPG and get more miles out of every gallon.

Here's what you can do:

• Maintain a consistent, fuel-efficient highway speed.
• Avoid unnecessary acceleration and hard braking.
• Use cruise control when road, traffic, and weather conditions allow.
• Leave enough following distance to reduce frequent speed changes.

3. Check Your Tire Pressure

Under-inflated tires on your truck or trailer will create more rolling resistance, which will make your truck work harder and burn more fuel.

Here's what you can do:

• Regularly check tire pressure on both your truck and trailer.
• Maintain manufacturer-recommended tire pressure based on your load and tire specifications.
• Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage.
• Address tire issues before they lead to bigger maintenance problems.

4. Limit Deadhead Miles

Deadhead miles are the miles your truck travels without hauling a paying load. Even though you're not generating revenue during those miles, you're still paying for fuel, driver time, and wear and tear on your equipment.

Here's what you can do:

• Start looking for your next load before completing your current delivery.
• Prioritize pickups near your delivery destination.
• Use load boards and freight networks to find available loads along your route.
• Consider total trip expenses, including empty miles, when evaluating load opportunities.

The fewer unnecessary empty miles you drive, the more opportunities you have to reduce fuel expenses and improve profitability.

5. Maintain Your Truck's Aerodynamics

When you're driving a semi-truck down the highway, wind resistance can have a significant impact on fuel consumption.

Many trucks and trailers have aerodynamic features to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel efficiency, but damaged, missing, or improperly positioned equipment can make them less effective.

Here's what you can do:

• Inspect your truck's fairings and cab extenders for damage.
• Keep trailer side skirts and other aerodynamic equipment in good condition.
• Repair or replace damaged aerodynamic components when necessary.
• Make sure adjustable aerodynamic equipment is properly positioned.

6. Negotiate Fuel Surcharges

Reducing fuel consumption isn't the only way to protect your trucking business from high diesel costs. You also need to make sure you're getting paid enough to cover your fuel expenses when hauling loads.

Fuel surcharges are additional charges that help carriers cover fluctuating diesel prices. However, not every load includes one, and the amount can vary depending on the agreement.

Here's what you can do:

• Ask whether a fuel surcharge is included when negotiating loads.
• Understand how fuel surcharges are calculated in your freight agreements.
• Consider current diesel prices when evaluating load profitability.
• Calculate your total operating costs instead of focusing only on the rate per mile.

Remember: A load with an attractive rate per mile isn't necessarily profitable if your fuel and other operating expenses eat up too much of what you earn.

7. Stay on Top of Preventive Maintenance

Skipping maintenance might save you money today, but it could cost you more down the road. Issues like dragging brakes, poor wheel alignment, and worn tires can make your truck work harder, burn more fuel, and lead to costly repairs.

Here's what you can do:

• Follow your truck manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
• Check wheel alignment and address uneven tire wear.
• Inspect brakes for dragging or other mechanical issues.
• Replace worn or damaged components as needed.
• Address minor mechanical problems before they become expensive repairs.

Regular preventive maintenance can help keep your equipment running efficiently, reduce unexpected downtime, and prevent unnecessary fuel consumption.

8. Plan Your Routes and Fuel Stops

Planning your routes and fuel stops ahead of time can help reduce fuel costs. Traffic, unnecessary detours, and extra miles can increase fuel consumption, so it's important to plan ahead and compare fuel prices along your route.

Remember, the cheapest pump isn't always the best deal!

Here's what you can do:

• Plan routes to minimize unnecessary miles and avoid major traffic delays when possible.
• Identify fuel stops along your route before leaving.
• Compare diesel prices at participating truck stops.
• Take advantage of fuel card discounts when available.
• Consider how far you have to drive out of your way to reach a cheaper fuel stop.

How Much Can Improving Your Semi-Truck's MPG Save on Fuel?

Small improvements in fuel efficiency can make a bigger difference than you might expect.

Let's say your truck travels 10,000 miles per month and diesel costs $6 per gallon.

Here's how improving your MPG could impact your monthly fuel expenses:

That's approximately $769 in monthly fuel savings, or more than $9,200 annually, for one truck just by improving fuel efficiency from 6.0 to 6.5 MPG.

If you're operating multiple trucks, those savings could add up even faster.

Note: This is an example. Actual savings will vary based on fuel prices, mileage, and other factors.

The Bottom Line: Small Changes Can Lead to Bigger Fuel Savings

You can't control diesel prices, but you can take steps to make every gallon count.

Whether it's reducing idle time, limiting deadhead miles, maintaining your equipment, or planning smarter fuel stops, small changes can help improve your MPG, lower fuel costs, and keep more money in your business.

Start with a few of these strategies and look for opportunities to save because, at the end of the day, it's not just about how much your trucking business earns. It's about how much of what you earn you get to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reducing Trucking Fuel Costs

What is the best way to reduce fuel costs in trucking?

The best way to reduce fuel costs in trucking is to combine several fuel-saving strategies, including reducing unnecessary idling, maintaining proper tire pressure, limiting deadhead miles, driving at fuel-efficient speeds, and planning fuel stops. Using a fuel card with diesel discounts can also help lower overall fuel expenses.

What causes semi-trucks to burn more fuel?

Several factors can increase a semi-truck's fuel consumption, including excessive idling, high driving speeds, underinflated tires, poor aerodynamics, mechanical issues, heavy loads, and frequent acceleration or braking. Making improvements in these areas can help you save fuel and money.

How can owner-operators save money on diesel fuel?

Owner-operators can save money on diesel by improving driving habits, keeping up with preventive maintenance, minimizing empty miles, comparing diesel prices, and taking advantage of fuel card discounts. Even small improvements in fuel efficiency can lead to significant savings over time.

Does driving slower save fuel in a semi-truck?

Generally, yes. Driving at higher speeds increases aerodynamic drag, requiring more engine power and fuel. Maintaining a steady, fuel-efficient highway speed can help reduce diesel consumption, although actual savings depend on the truck, load, terrain, and driving conditions.