What if you could save 35 to 50 cents a gallon every time you filled your RV with diesel? That’s the promise buzzing around the Open Roads Fuel Program, a discount card that lets RVers tap into trucker-level fuel pricing. It sounds like a too-good-to-be-true internet rumor—but after putting it to the test on real world road trips, we found the savings can be very real. There’s some fine print, a few quirks, and a diesel-scented learning curve—but for many RVers, it might just be worth the hassle. This RV fleet fuel card is real.
RV fleet fuel card brainchild of trucking fleet owners
The program is legit. It’s run by Texas-based trucking company TSD Logistics. The company originally negotiated discounted diesel prices for its fleet. Then someone had a bright idea: let RVers join in. RVers fuel up using their card, the company draws funds straight from their bank account, and keeps 10% of whatever discount the RVer gets. Open Roads says you’ll soon be able to have your charges billed to your credit card, but it will hit you with a 3% surcharge.
To see what the fuss was about, we signed up. The application is quick but turnaround time can be slow, if you’re ready to jump on the road. You can pay a fee to rush the process—$20 for 48-hour processing and mailing, or $75 total for overnight delivery. Right now, Open Roads is taking about 15 to 20 days from receipt of request to getting your card out. We chose the free route. A verification call came a few days later, and about two weeks after applying, our card arrived. We applied before our planned road trip, so waiting for our RV fleet fuel card at no charge was good for us.
Our first real-world test convinced us
We waited to test it on a trip from Quartzsite to Los Angeles. Our first fill-up was at the local Love’s truck stop—18.72 gallons. At that time the posted cash price was $3.09, but our transaction summary showed we paid $2.521 a gallon. After Open Roads took its 10% cut, we still saved 57 cents per gallon—nearly 23%. Mind you, the truck stop will tack on a “transaction fee” of 40 cents per fueling.
On the road, we filled up again in Coachella, California. Savings were smaller—an average of 36.5 cents per gallon across two fill-ups, or about 11%. Not quite as good, but still worthwhile.
Curious how this stacked up across a longer haul, we ran a paper test. We mapped a route from Quartzsite to Olympia, Washington—1,376 miles. Our truck averages 10.5 mpg, so we estimated 131.1 gallons of fuel. Using Open Roads prices, we’d spend $325.90. Shopping around without the card (avoiding cash-only pumps), we’d pay $391.12. That’s a savings of $65.22—or about 20%. Round trip savings? $130.
Worth noting: In Oregon, those attractive “big truck” prices don’t apply to pickups and RVs because of fuel tax rules. We factored the 36-cent-per-gallon difference into our numbers. Since that time, that fuel tax has jumped to 40 cents per gallon.
Diesel pumping at truck stop learning curve
Now for the real-world part: Using the card can be a little clunky. You must fuel up at the truck lanes—not the RV or auto lanes—or you won’t get the discount. At busy stops, expect a 15- to 20-minute wait behind semis. However, on our most recent trip, some stops had open bays on arrival—zip in, zip out.
Once it’s your turn, you’ll need to swipe your card, enter a control number—the equivalent of a PIN number, select “tractor” fuel, and skip optional add-ons like DEF (unless you need it). And you’ll want to be wearing gloves—those big nozzles aren’t made for clean, splash-free fill-ups in pickup tanks. You’ll probably have to hold the pump lever manually, slowly, and yes—get a little diesel mist on your hands.
Also, be courteous. Once you’re done fueling, pull forward to let the next driver in line begin. Don’t leave your rig blocking the pump while you go inside to get a receipt.
And you can get even more money back with referrals
Love’s offers a flat 30¢ discount, but we’ve seen bigger savings elsewhere. It pays to look closely at the prices and choose your stop. On one trip, we saved 71¢ per gallon at a TA. The Open Roads app shows current diesel prices at participating stops so you can plan accordingly. By the way, sorry Pilot/Flying J fans. The Open Roads RV fleet fuel card isn’t accepted at these outfits.
One last thing: If you apply, there’s a “referred by” box. If you list Russell De Maris, once you save $500 on fuel, we’ll get a $25 credit—and you can do the same by referring your friends. For more information follow this link, or to sign up click here.
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Did you have any reservations about giving Open Roads your bank account info? I have read about this service for a number of years but remain hesitant about anyone having my bank account number.
I set up a separate checking account with $2000 in it. Easy to do at my local bank. Will also tag the Sun Pass toll fees to the same account. No problems encountered in several years of use .
I did the same thing; set up a separate account, but in the past few years we’ve been using it we have never had a problem. TSD is very consistently on top of things and meticulous with their billing notifications and withdrawals.
Same here. Set up an account with a national e-Bank that I can easily electronically transfer funds into. No problems.
We’ve been using the TSD card for years and have never had a problem with them taking it out of our account but we do have a separate checking account set up just for this purpose. It’s very convenient not having to go into the store to give them a credit card and as soon as you drive off you can see the transaction in the app because it will be less than what’s posted at the pump.
We also never have to hold the nozzle while adding fuel.
Be aware that truck stop filling hose nozzles are bigger than regular fuel nozzles. They may or may not fit well if you have a diesel pickup. I once went into the store while the pump was going, and came back to find out that the automatic shut-off didn’t work, and there was diesel still pumping on to the ground. So there went any savings, plus some.
I set up a separate checking account at my bank. I then estimate what it is going to cost and and transfer that amount into that checking account. Never have any problems. Great program.
Maybe pickup trucks are different, but we’ve been using Open Roads for 3 or 4 yrs. Never have to hold the handle. Can fuel on both sides. The customer service is outstanding. They answer questions on Facebook or you can call. Personally we’ve never had a problem with an incorrect charge or with money out of our checking account. Also for the truck pumps are high flow so it takes little time to fill. Can clean the big front window and by that time you’re fueled (100 gal tank). The app is great. For finding truck stops and giving you all the detail of your fill with a couple of minutes after filling. We just did a trip from CA to Indiana and saved $400. More when we take our trip to Florida.
Yeah, those high flow pumps fill our F350’s 34 gallon diesel tank very very quickly. Now, when I go to a regular station’s diesel pumps it seems like it takes forever to fill up the tank. LOL
Open roads also, has affiliates. Like Insurance companies. I called that insurance company., we are saving about 350.00 this year. I have had no issues in the 4 years we have used Open Roads.
We’ve used this for years. It saves money (every little bit helps) and it much easier to fuel in truck lanes. Plus the pumps fill faster. I had one issue with a local station skimmer on the pump but Open Roads was fantastic and the issue was resolved quickly even though it wasn’t their issue. Highly recommended if you use diesel.
None of the reviews on this program ever mention other ways to save. I’ve use GasBuddy and find similar discounts away from the big truck stops.
Since we pull a 30+ 5er access is an important factor, but rarely makes us skip a station. The center of a town station can be cramped, but also rarely has the low prices. Fresh fuel is often mentioned but is easy to find. Low price places tend to have high volumes of customers!
While you have a point and sometimes, even with the TSD negotiated discounts, diesel is cheaper other places, but to me the easier maneuverability and the high flow pumps make this program a big winner to many of us.
Yes, we’ve been using it for the past few years and it works great. Much easier to maneuver our fifth wheel in and around the truck fuel bays than other stations.
Has anyone done a comparison between Open Roads and Mudflap?
We use Mudflaps and Techno RV apps, but DW shops at Kroger and affiliates and their fuel points program – 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 spent, sometimes multiple rewards, and on gift cards for other uses, like McDonalds, usually results in $1.00 a gallon off for 35 gallons, sometimes twice. Kroger price generally among the lowest before discount, we have found truck stops often 50 cents above other nearby stations.
We use Mudflaps and Techno RV apps, but DW shops at Kroger and affiliates and their fuel points program – 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 spent, sometimes multiple rewards, and on gift cards for other uses, like McDonalds, usually results in $1.00 a gallon off for 35 gallons, sometimes twice. Kroger price generally among the lowest before discount, we have found truck stops often 50 cents above other nearby stations.
Live on the North Olympic Peninsula of Washington state, today our diesel price at Safeway were 4.93 in Sequim and 4.96 in Port Angeles. This is compliment of our out of control liberal legislators. No other reason…”Spend and tax” has been their mantra for years.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Russ and Tina! We just opt for the lowest per-gallon price when using Open Roads. But our fill-ups tend to be more on the order of 50-65 gallons. We have found that our Open Roads card works at Petro Canada Petro-Pass cardlocks. Our application also showed that we’d gotten a discount, but I think that was merely the “real” U.S.-dollar price relative to the Canadian-dollar price. There is an out-of-program charge of $0.40. Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
I have been using for 5 years with no issues. Some set up a separate account and fund that account before a trip. Many YouTube videos on truck stop etiquette–please watch a few. In my big diesel with a Spartan chassis. the big nozzle is a blessing and the wide truck lanes at a truck stop a breeze to navigate through. 99% of the truckers have been really cool towards us too.
I clicked the link in your article and filled out an application, but the referral was prefilled with “geofencing” and I couldn’t change it.