How Fuel Surcharge Calculations Work - FAQ
Fuel Surcharge Index.org utilizes many data points including, routing, mapping, input from customers and fuel price information gathered from many sources. To properly explain how Fuel Surcharge Index.org works, we think that the F.A.Q. section below will be the easiest way to explain. If after reading this section you still have questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
How many truck stops do you have pricing information on?
Over 5,500
At what time of day do you post the fuel pricing information and why is that important?
We take a snapshot of all fuel prices at 11:59 pm which are then used for the following day. Prices are not changed during the course of a day to ensure consistency in calculation results. This also gives anyone the ability to audit historical fuel surcharge information along any lane in the country for the past 12 months.
What does MPG stand for?
Miles Per Gallon – the number of miles a truck can travel using one gallon of fuel. For fleets, this is usually specified as the fleet average mpg.
What is the “Trigger?”
The Trigger is the negotiated rate below which a fuel surcharge is NOT applied.
What is the CPG Adjustment?
CPG (Cost Per Gallon) can be adjusted by the user to reflect discounts available to the carrier when purchasing fuel. This field may not be applicable to all users.
Under Routing Method, what is the difference between Truck Practical and Shortest?
Truck Practical takes not only distance but estimated driving time into consideration when determining a route. Shortest route does not consider time as a factor and the distance provided is via the shortest path available for a commercial vehicle. Truck Practical is usually reflective of the actual route driven.
How far do historical fuel prices go back?
Current records can provide historical fuel price information back to March 23, 2008. If you need data prior to that date, please contact us.
What is the “Use Major Chains” option for?
Some carriers prefer to purchase 100% of their fuel from major chains.
What is “IFTA Tax?”
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) provides for reporting mileage, fuel purchase and fuel tax on a single form for most jurisdictions. IFTA tax is collected as part of the retail fuel price in all jurisdictions except the State of Oregon.
What is “IFTA Surcharge”
Only three States currently collect an additional fee via a surcharge line on the IFTA reporting form. They are Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. These rates currently vary from 3.5 to 11 cents per gallon.
What is “Mile Tax”
Currently only four states collect a Mile Tax which is based on the number of miles traveled in that jurisdiction during the reporting period. The States of Oregon, New York, Kentucky and New Mexico are included in this list.
In the State Breakdown box, what does “Avg. w/o Tax” mean?
The average price of a gallon of diesel fuel, not including any refundable IFTA Tax collected at the pump.
What are the green and red highlights on the truck stop list?
The green highlight indicates the lowest price truck stops and the red highlight indicates the highest price. NOTE: more than one truck stop may be highlighted if prices are identical
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