What to look for in a fuel and factoring partner, and what carriers should know about consolidating both

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Two costs shape a carrier’s month more than most: what it pays at the pump and how long it waits to get paid. Fuel averaged about 48 cents per mile for trucking operations in 2025, according to the American Transportation Research Institute, and most freight brokers pay carriers on terms of 30 days or longer.

For years, carriers handled these separately, getting a fuel card from one company and setting up a factoring arrangement with another. The result was two relationships, two logins, and two vendors who rarely talked to each other.

Today, several factoring companies offer fuel cards alongside invoice funding, and platforms such as FleetSmarts have been built around the same pairing. Whether a combined arrangement makes sense depends on the details. Carriers need to compare costs, services, and contract terms, and consider when keeping the two separate may be a better choice.

Why fuel and factoring are increasingly bundled

Several providers now connect the two services. RTS Financial has partnered with Pilot Company on a fuel and factoring bundle that pairs factoring with fuel discounts at Pilot Flying J and One9 locations. OTR Solutions offers a lower factoring rate to carriers who also use its fuel card, and AtoB describes integrations that send factoring funds directly to a fuel card account.

The most recent example came in October 2026, when Comdata launched Comdata MAX, an integrated fuel card and factoring platform built with BridgeHaul. Comdata described it as a solution for fleets juggling two relationships, two platforms, and two sets of fees.

Cash flow is what connects these services. FreightWaves reports that brokers and shippers often have 30, 60, or sometimes 90 days to pay, while fuel, insurance, and payroll can’t wait. Factoring narrows that gap by advancing cash against unpaid invoices for a fee, typically 1-5% of each invoice. Pairing it with a fuel card can mean one account and one point of contact, rather than coordinating between a fuel vendor and a separate factor that doesn’t share data.

What to compare

Pricing method. Some fuel programs use wholesale cost plus a margin, while others offer a discount off the posted retail price. A bigger advertised discount doesn’t necessarily mean a lower final price. Ask which method a program uses and how savings appear on the statement. For example, FleetSmarts says its card displays live diesel prices so drivers can compare stops before fueling.

Network fit. A fuel discount is only useful where your trucks go. Broad acceptance at the major chains matters far more than a large discount at stations your drivers rarely pass. Most programs publish their accepted locations, so check how many are on your regular lanes rather than focusing on the total number advertised.

Fuel planning. Some platforms offer route-based fuel planning. FleetSmarts, for one, says its planner weighs price, distance, and tank size to suggest where to stop. That lets drivers plan fuel stops around cost and range rather than wait until the tank is nearly empty and take whatever option is nearby.

Funding speed and fees. Ask how quickly invoices are funded, what share of each invoice is advanced, whether a reserve is held back, and what fees apply beyond the base rate. Many factors fund within 24 hours, but rates and contract terms vary widely.

Reporting. Cost-per-mile breakdowns and reporting by truck or driver can show where fuel money is going and which trucks are becoming more expensive to run. ATRI’s benchmarks offer a reference point: the average cost to operate a truck reached a record $2.336 per mile in 2025, and comparing your own figures against that average can help when coaching drivers or negotiating rates.

IFTA support. Carriers that run across state lines file IFTA returns each quarter, reporting fuel purchased and miles driven in every jurisdiction. Returns are due April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31, and carriers generally must keep supporting records for four years. Pulling those records together by hand at the end of each quarter can lead to rushed work and mistakes. A program that organizes the information can simplify filing, though the carrier remains responsible for the accuracy of its returns.

Fit for your size. Some programs favor large fleets, with minimums and requirements that can shut out newer or smaller operations. Look for a program that works for your fleet now and can accommodate growth. Ask whether it serves single-truck operators and mixed fleets on the same terms.

When a bundle may not fit

Bundling isn’t the right choice for every carrier. Contract terms can determine whether the convenience is worth the cost and restrictions. The National Association of Small Trucking Companies warns that when a fuel card depends on a factoring balance, one problem can interrupt both cash flow and fuel access, and that some factoring contracts require 60 to 120 days of written notice to exit. AtoB notes that carriers whose customers already pay within about 15 days may not need factoring at all. Bundled pricing can also come with conditions: Comdata’s MAX agreement, for example, requires at least one factoring transaction in the preceding 90 days for a carrier to stay eligible for the program.

Before signing anything, a carrier should get the full picture in writing: how pricing works, what the fees are, what the factoring arrangement involves, and exactly how to exit if it turns out not to be a fit. One independent guide suggests requesting three quotes side by side: factoring alone, the fuel card alone, and the combined package. Clear terms help carriers understand both what they’re buying and how much freedom they’ll have to leave. They also signal whether a provider intends to earn repeat business through service rather than restrictive contracts.

Choosing the right arrangement

Fuel costs and slow receivables are two of the pressures carriers watch most closely, and bundled programs are one way providers have responded. Whether a bundle makes sense depends on a carrier’s lanes, invoice volume, and how quickly its customers already pay. Compare the actual offer, not just the advertised savings. Ask about how prices are calculated, network fit, funding speed, reporting, and contract terms, and choose the partner that answers clearly on all of them. Comparing a combined offer with factoring and a separately purchased fuel card gives carriers the clearest picture of which arrangement fits their operation.