Compare fuel and fleet cards for small businesses in 2026

Fuel is one of the largest ongoing expenses for small businesses that offer physical products or services. Whether you operate a long haul trucking company, manage a local plumbing business, run a landscaping crew, or oversee a fleet of delivery vans, the cost of fueling all of those vehicles adds up, particularly in this current economy. 

The right fuel or fleet card for businesses can help lower some of your operating costs with discounts at the pump and by providing expense tracking tools, driver spending controls, and detailed reporting. Some fleet cards even help companies build business credit by reporting payment history to commercial credit bureaus.

Our guide to the best fuel and fleet cards for small businesses helps you compare the best business credit card for fuel and EV charging across a variety of industries including trucking companies, contractors, field service businesses, and local delivery fleets. We'll also explain how fleet cards fit into an overall business credit strategy, and what to consider before choosing a card for your business.

What are fuel cards? 

Fuel cards are credit cards that offer rewards on gas and EV charging. These cards are a good option for small businesses that have high fuel costs on gas or diesel fuel, such as trucking or delivery companies. Some fuel cards target the trucking industry by offering discounts at partnering fuel stations nationwide, helping collect odometer information, and using truck telemetry to connect to purchase history. 

Using a gas card is one strategy for helping with fuel management and balancing out high fuel prices — you’ll get cash back or points on your fuel spending that you can later put toward other business expenses. When you’re choosing a card, keep in mind that some fuel card companies only allow you to use your card on in-network purchases or purchases that are made at that exact brand of gas station. This limitation might not work if you need a card you can use at any station across the country. 

Additionally, some business fuel cards allow you to set spending limits and spending controls for your employees’ cards. There also might be other business solutions, such as a mobile app and an online account, that you can use for real-time updates on your fuel savings. You may have to pay a monthly fee to use the card. If so, make sure the rewards you get for your fuel stops will balance out the cost.

Compare fuel credit cards for truck drivers

*Information independently gathered by Nav and subject to change

All rates and fees accurate as of July 31, 2026 and are subject to change

Here are more details on our top gas cards for a trucking business.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Coast Visa® Fleet Card

Additional fleet card options

Here are a few more fleet card options to consider. All rates are valid as of July 31, 2026 and subject to change.

• Fuelman® has three fleet cards:
• • The Fuelman® Mixed Fleet Card offers 8¢ off per gallon on unleaded and diesel fuel at 40,000+ stations.
  • The Fuelman® Diesel Fleet Card offers 12¢ off per gallon on diesel at 40,000+ stations.
  • The Fuelman® Mastercard offers 3¢ off per gallon on unleaded and diesel fuel anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
• The WEX Fleet Card offers up to 15¢ off per gallon through its nationwide savings network and up to 3¢ off per gallon everywhere else.
• Voyager Fleet Fuel Cards can be assigned to vehicles or drivers and offer flexible controls and reporting options.
• Shell has two fleet cards:
• • The Shell Card Business offers up to 6¢ off per gallon at Shell stations.
  • The Shell Card Business Flex^TM offers up to 5¢ off per gallon at Shell stations.

Best fleet cards for local fleets, delivery businesses, and contractors

Trucking companies aren’t the only businesses that can benefit from fleet gas cards. Many other types of small businesses also need fuel cards that save on transportation expenses while providing robust financial reporting and management tools. In most cases, companies with few employees may do best with small business credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas and EV charging. 

Electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, landscapers, pest control companies, cleaning services, courier businesses, contractor businesses, and local delivery fleets typically operate within a defined geographical service area. 

If you operate a company with similar movement patterns, look for fleet cards that are easy to use, distribute, and manage for authorized employees. You can also benefit from built-in spending controls and simplified expense management. 

In both cases, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is one of the best cards for small businesses with employees who spend money on behalf of the company. Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. It also connects to QuickBooks, vendor pay through BILL, and offers robust expense management capabilities. Amex is an established bank issuer with strong customer service support and many other banking products available for small businesses.

Do fuel and fleet cards report to business credit bureaus?

Yes, some fuel and fleet cards report payment history to business credit bureaus, which is beneficial for business owners who are consistent about their repayments. Fuel or fleet card credit reporting can have a meaningful impact on your ability to build business credit over time.

There isn't an industry standard for commercial credit reporting. Some card issuers report to Dun & Bradstreet, (D&B) while others report to Experian Business, Equifax Business, the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE), multiple bureaus, or none at all. Yet other issuers only report negative payment history.

If business credit reporting is important to you, be sure to verify the current reporting practices for the fuel card you choose; don't assume every business gas card or fleet card helps establish credit. Reviewing an issuer's reporting practices before opening an account can help ensure your on-time payments go toward building up your business credit profile.

How fleet cards help build business credit 

Like other small business credit accounts, fuel and fleet cards can help your company build business credit by reporting your on-time payments and usage to business credit bureaus. If you value having strong business credit, it’s important to understand the benefits of the particular card you choose. 

Using a fuel card responsibly can be a strong component of your broader business credit strategy, especially if your company model relies significantly on transportation. Consistent and timely payments help establish a history of positive repayment, strengthening your company's credit profile over time.

However, a fleet card should not be your only business credit account. Many businesses also build credit by opening vendor accounts, maintaining net-30 tradelines, and using other business financing products that report payment activity.

Businesses looking to actively build their business credit may also consider Nav Prime, which has helped business owners boost business credit scores by 26 points on average after responsible use. Individual results may vary. In addition to business credit-building features, Nav Prime provides business credit monitoring tools and insights that can help you track your progress over time.

How to choose a fuel or fleet card

The best fuel or fleet card for you depends on your business model and how your vehicles operate each day. While discounts at the pump are important, they're only one factor to consider.

Fuel network coverage

Start by evaluating where your drivers purchase fuel most often. Some fleet cards are accepted only at specific brands, while others work at thousands of fueling locations across the country. Businesses with regional routes may benefit from brand-specific discounts, while companies with changing routes often need broader acceptance.

Fuel discounts vs. rewards

Some business gas cards earn traditional cash back or rewards points, while fleet cards typically offer fixed discounts by the gallon. Compare the total savings based on your business's monthly fuel spending rather than focusing only on advertised reward rates.

Fees

Not all fuel cards are equal in either rewards or costs. Before applying for a fleet or fuel card, make sure you know how much you’ll pay for the account, if anything — familiarize yourself with all annual fees, monthly account fees, driver card fees, and any transaction or maintenance charges. A card with larger fuel discounts may not provide the greatest overall value for your business if its ongoing fees outweigh the savings.

Driver controls and reporting

If you have a small business with just one or two additional employees, you may not need robust reporting tools or financial management tools. But if you have a large number of authorized users to track, it’s of paramount importance that you be able to cut off certain accounts or track individual expenses down to the penny. 

A strong fleet card should include spending controls that allow you to limit purchases by driver, merchant category, dollar amount, or time of day. Detailed reporting can also simplify bookkeeping, identify unusual spending patterns, and help improve overall fleet efficiency.

Fleet fuel cards vs. business credit cards

Benefits of using a fuel credit card for your trucking business

A fuel credit card can help trucking businesses in several important ways:

• Cash back, travel rewards, or fuel rebates can reduce expenses and improve profitability.
• The ability to buy now and pay off bills over time can improve cash flow. Some fuel cards also offer 0% intro APR offers that allow you to finance larger expenses, such as repairs, for a year or longer.
• You can use a business credit card to keep your business and personal expenses separate and avoid commingling finances.
• A business credit card could help you establish and build business credit history.
• Many fuel cards have expense tracking and reporting tools, making bookkeeping and tax filing easier.

It’s best to put business expenses on a business credit card, and if you have a trucking business, then a business fuel card makes sense. Still, there are pros and cons to consider.

What to look for in a credit card for truck drivers

Think about how you plan to use your credit card. Will you pay the balance off in full each month or will you sometimes need to carry a balance? If you’ll carry a balance, focus primarily on the interest rate. Consider truck driver credit cards with a 0% intro APR to pay off purchases interest-free during the intro period. If you won’t carry a balance, you can look for a card with a solid rewards program.

If you’re using a fuel card already and need a business card for non-fuel purchases, then you won’t need to worry about cash-back rates for fuel purchases. You can base your decision on which business credit cards have the most valuable benefits, including rewards on those non-fuel expenses.

Some rewards cards have annual fees, and these fees can be steep on premium business credit cards. If you choose a card with an annual fee, make sure the perks you receive will outweigh the cost.

Here are a few of the most important considerations when choosing gas cards for a trucking business.

Rewards structure

Fuel rewards come in two structures: per-gallon discounts or cash back at a percentage rate. A per-gallon discount is a fixed discount, such as 9¢ per gallon, paid out as a rebate, usually every billing cycle. A percentage back is based on the dollar amount you spend at the pump.

Per-gallon discounts are more predictable, whereas a percentage back will fluctuate based on gas prices. If your fuel card earns 3% back on gas, and gas costs $4 per gallon, then your card effectively gets you 12¢ off per gallon. If gas prices drop to $3 per gallon, then your card will save you 9¢ per gallon.

Acceptance network

For long-haul truck drivers, it’s important to have a card with universal or near-universal acceptance. Drivers need cards they can use at whichever station is conveniently located, because taking a detour to find an in-network station costs them more fuel and time. Look for a card on the Visa or Mastercard network or a fleet card that’s accepted by at least 95% of U.S. stations.

Universal acceptance is less of a concern for regional drivers who have predictable routes and can consistently go to specific stations. Local drivers who pass by the same stations may want to get an in-network card with a large discount at those stations to maximize savings.

Fleet management features

Most fleet cards have management features that you won’t find on business credit cards. If you have a fleet of drivers, you’ll likely need these features, and specifically the following:

• Driver cards let you assign cards to individual drivers or vehicles. You can also set up a driver ID or PIN that’s required to use the card.
• Spending controls let you set limits on each fleet card you issue. You can set individual limits for specific drivers or vehicles, restrict cards to fuel purchases only, and set limits based on purchase amounts, the time of day, the day of the week, or the type of purchase made.
• Reporting tools record and organize transaction information. These tools can also send real-time alerts and integrate with your business accounting software.

Diesel vs. gas considerations

Most fuel cards treat diesel and gas the same for rewards. If your card offers 5¢ off per gallon or 3% back at gas stations, it doesn’t matter which type of fuel you select. However, there are exceptions.

Some card issuers, including Fuelman, offer fleet cards specifically for diesel purchases. Diesel fuel credit cards or fleet cards could get you a higher discount than a fuel card that offers the same savings across the board.

Certain fleet cards exclude off-road and high-speed diesel from their rebate programs. Check the fine print to see if there are any exclusions for the type of diesel you buy.

How to qualify for a fuel credit card as a truck driver

When you apply for a fuel credit card, the issuer may look at your personal credit, business credit, or both. Issuers of business credit cards usually check your personal credit. Most business rewards cards require good personal credit, generally meaning a score of 670 or higher. But there’s no strict cutoff point that guarantees you’ll be approved or denied.

Issuers of fleet fuel cards often focus on business credit. They might not run a personal credit check or even require a personal guarantee. The Coast Visa® Fleet Card is one example. Coast doesn’t require a personal guarantee, and applying doesn’t affect your personal credit. Since business credit is more important with fleet cards, consider working to establish business credit if you haven’t done so already.

The application will ask questions about your business and personal finances, such as income. You can generally list income from all sources (not just the business) to qualify. That means if you’re driving a truck on the side and have other income — or if you have a spouse or partner who provides income — you may list that as well.

How to apply for a fuel credit card

In most cases, you can apply online for a business credit card or fuel card, and that’s the fastest option. When you’ve found the card you want, select the option to apply, and fill out the application with the required information.

You’ll likely be asked for your employer identification number (EIN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). You will also be asked for a business address, which can be your home address if you don’t have a separate business address.

Other financing options for truck drivers

While a credit card can be great for short-term financing, there may be times when you need other types of financing, either for longer-term expenses or to finance a semi truck, for example. There are a variety of trucking business loans that may be available to your business, including equipment financing or leasing, lines of credit, freight factoring or invoice financing.

It’s worthwhile to explore these options before you find your business in a cash crunch as you’ll have more time to evaluate and compare business loan options. If you’re looking to apply for financing to help your trucking company succeed, your first step is making sure your business credit scores are established and growing.

Frequently asked questions