---
title: How are fuel surcharges calculated?
description: Mothership dynamically calculates fuel charges based on weekly fuel pricing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
---

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# How are fuel surcharges calculated?

## Mothership dynamically calculates fuel charges based on weekly fuel pricing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

#### **How are fuel charges calculated?**

Mothership dynamically calculates fuel charges based on weekly diesel pricing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for your pickup zone.

 

#### **How do you know the diesel prices for my region?**

Mothership pulls data directly from the [U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/) to adjust charges using real-time diesel fuel prices in your pickup area.

To track your pickup zone's weekly average fuel price, visit the EIA's [Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/) published every **Tuesday at 10:00 AM ET**. 

 

#### How the fuel surcharge works

The fuel surcharge is a separate table, and it's applied per mile on top of your freight charge.

1. Find the row matching the current diesel price/gallon in your pickup zone (it's based on the EIA fuel index published every Tuesday at 10 am ET)
2. Find the column matching your shipment size/weight.
3. Multiply the $ value in that cell by the midpoint of your mileage bracket, e.g. for a shipment between 10 and 20 miles use 15 miles.

 

#### Example: Finding Your Fuel Surcharge

Suppose you have a shipment with the following details:

- **Dimensions & Weight:** 48" x 48" x 60" (16 sq. ft. / 600 lbs) → Column 1 (Max 16 sq ft / Max 800 lbs)
- **Distance:** 22 miles
- **Current Diesel Price:** $7.20 / gallon

1. **Find Distance Bracket & Midpoint:** 22 miles puts your shipment in the 20 to 30-mile bracket. The midpoint for this bracket is **25 miles**.
2. **Find Fuel Surcharge Multiplier:** Locate $7.20 in the Fuel Surcharge Matrix under Column 1. The per-mile rate where that row and column intersect is **$0.39**.
3. **Calculate Surcharge:** Multiply $0.39 by 25 miles:

25 miles x $0.39 = $9.75 total fuel surcharge

![Mothership Same-Day Direct Fuel Surcharge Matrix (9-21-26)](https://help.mothership.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Mothership%20Same-Day%20Direct%20Fuel%20Surcharge%20Matrix%20(9-21-26).png?width=670&height=1901&name=Mothership%20Same-Day%20Direct%20Fuel%20Surcharge%20Matrix%20(9-21-26).png)

[Download Fuel Surcharge Matrix here in PDF format](https://help.mothership.com/hubfs/Mothership%20Same-Day%20Direct%20Fuel%20Surcharge%20Matrix%20%20(9-21-26).pdf?hsLang=en)

 

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