Live tracker
Reefer Fuel Surcharge Tracker
Live reefer fuel surcharge for LTL and FTL refrigerated freight — composite percentage and per-loaded-mile, both tied to this week's EIA on-highway diesel price.
Reefer LTL FSC
56.5%
composite, on line-haul
Reefer FTL spot
$0.91
per loaded mile
EIA diesel
$6.18
/gal · week of Oct 12, 2026
Next update:Monday 19 October, based on the EIA diesel price for the week of 12 October.
Recomputed when EIA publishes the new weekly diesel price.
Every fuel surcharge we track, this week
EIA week of Oct 12, 2026 · national diesel $6.18/gal
| Carrier / service | This week |
|---|---|
| UPS Ground estimate View → | 24.00% → unchanged from last week |
| FedEx Ground estimate View → | 24.50% → unchanged from last week |
| LTL dry van (composite) View → | 50.00% → unchanged from last week |
| Reefer LTL (composite) This page | 56.50% → unchanged from last week |
| Reefer FTL ($/loaded mile) This page | $0.91 → unchanged from last week |
UPS and FedEx rows are the carriers' published Ground tables where we have loaded them, otherwise marked estimate. LTL and reefer figures are CargoTools composites derived from the same EIA diesel price — see each page for the method.
Reefer vs dry van fuel surcharge
| Mode | Current FSC | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dry-van LTL composite | 50.0% | CargoTools composite (9.5 + 6.7 × diesel, 25–50%) |
| Reefer LTL composite | 56.5% | +6.5 pts for reefer unit diesel |
| UPS Ground (parcel) | 24.00% (est.) | no reefer parcel mode |
| FedEx Ground (parcel) | 24.50% (est.) | no reefer parcel mode |
How reefer fuel surcharge is calculated
A reefer trailer carries two diesel-fueled engines: the tractor pulling the load and the refrigeration unit on the trailer. The reefer unit burns roughly 0.5–0.9 gallons of diesel per hour at typical set points (33–38°F for produce, 0°F for frozen), which is why reefer fuel surcharges run higher than dry-van.
Reefer LTL composite (this site):
Reefer FSC % = Dry-van LTL FSC + 6.5 percentage points
Reefer FTL spot ($/loaded mile):
$ / mile = (EIA diesel − $1.20 baseline) ÷ 5.5
Worked example this week: dry-van composite 50.0% + 6.5 = 56.5%; ($6.18 − $1.20) ÷ 5.5 = $0.91 per loaded mile.
These are CargoTools composites, not a specific carrier's table. Always verify against the reefer fuel table in your carrier contract — each reefer carrier publishes its own.
What this costs you per load
On a $400 reefer LTL line-haul
$226.00
in fuel surcharge alone
On a 600-mile reefer FTL
$546.00
in fuel surcharge ($0.91/loaded mile × 600)
When does reefer FSC apply?
- ✓Any continuous-cool load — produce, dairy, meat, frozen, pharmaceuticals where the unit must hold a temperature window.
- ✓Pre-cool time at pickup — the reefer unit must run before loading, billed by most reefer carriers.
- ✓Detention with unit running — if the trailer waits at receiver and the unit stays on to maintain temp, the FSC clock keeps running.
- ✗Vent-only loads — protect from freeze with no temperature spec: typically dry-van FSC, not reefer.
- ✗Empty repositioning — empty miles after delivery don't carry reefer FSC unless contract says otherwise.
Audit your reefer invoice
Carrier overcharges on reefer FSC happen most often when (1) the wrong diesel-week table was applied or (2) reefer FSC was billed on a vent-only load. Run the line items through our auditor.
Related
Dry-van Fuel Surcharge Tracker →
UPS, FedEx, and LTL composite for non-refrigerated freight.
How LTL Fuel Surcharge Is Calculated →
LTL fuel tables and how to audit them.
Freight Class Calculator →
NMFC class for any LTL shipment, including reefer.
Parcel vs LTL Breakeven →
When does it make sense to pivot from parcel to LTL.