TOOL.03 / Fuel Cost Estimator
Diesel math,
at the pump.
Trip distance, MPG, current pump price — total cost, gallons, cost-per-mile in one screen.
OutputLive
Enter miles, MPG, and price...
Pump prices vary by region and day. For multi-stop fuel optimization, route planning, and IFTA tracking, use the full system.
Cut empty miles. Optimize lanes.
Alogix routes loads against fuel cost, lane history, and driver pay so the truck always books the better load.
Average semi truck MPG by engine type
Fuel efficiency varies significantly by engine configuration, truck spec, and load weight. Use these benchmarks to calibrate your estimates:
| Engine / Configuration | Typical MPG |
|---|---|
| Class 8 OTR (loaded, highway) | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Class 8 OTR (empty, highway) | 7.5 – 9.5 |
| Regional / day cab (mixed) | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Flatbed (heavy load) | 4.5 – 6.0 |
| Reefer (refrigerated) | 5.0 – 6.5 |
| LNG / natural gas engine | 5.0 – 6.5 (DGE) |
| Aerodynamic spec (modern) | 7.0 – 8.5 |
How to reduce diesel fuel costs
- 01Maintain 60–65 mph highway speed — fuel economy drops ~0.1 MPG for every mph over 65.
- 02Use a fuel card (Relay, EFS, Comdata) to access discounted pump prices at network stops.
- 03Idle less — every hour of idling burns ~0.8 gallons. Use auxiliary power units (APU) for cab comfort.
- 04Keep tires inflated to spec — underinflated tires can reduce MPG by 1–2%.
- 05Plan fuel stops at cheaper states — use GasBuddy Trucking or your TMS lane data to fill up in low-tax states like OK ($0.19/mi IFTA) vs PA ($0.741/mi).