If you’re a U.S. driver—whether you’re a trucker, rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft, delivery driver, or daily commuter—finding the best credit card for drivers can save you hundreds on gas, food, and vehicle maintenance. Driving comes with unique expenses, and the right card can turn your miles into rewards. This guide is for anyone who spends hours on the road and wants to stretch their dollar. As a fellow driver or your financial guide, I’ll break down the best credit cards for drivers in 2025, share practical tips, and help you pick a card that fits your lifestyle and wallet.
Why Drivers Need the Right Credit Card
Daily Expenses Drivers Face (Fuel, Repairs, Food)
As a driver, your expenses add up fast. Fuel is the biggest cost, whether you’re filling up a truck, an Uber sedan, or a delivery van. Gas prices in 2025 are unpredictable, and frequent fill-ups can strain your budget. Then there’s vehicle maintenance—oil changes, tire rotations, and unexpected repairs. If you’re a gig worker, you might also spend on tolls, parking, or food on the go. For truckers, overnight stays at hotels or truck stops pile on costs. The best credit card for drivers helps you earn rewards or cashback on these expenses, making every mile more affordable.
How Credit Cards Help Drivers Earn and Save
Driver-friendly credit cards offer cashback or points on gas, dining, and travel, which directly offset your costs. Some cards provide roadside assistance or rental car coverage, perfect for long-haul truckers or rideshare drivers. Using a credit card also simplifies expense tracking, especially for gig workers who need to separate business and personal spending for taxes. By choosing fuel cashback credit cards or cards for truckers and delivery drivers, you can earn rewards on purchases you’re already making, like gas and fast food, while avoiding high interest by paying off your balance monthly.
Best Credit Cards for Drivers in 2025
Here are six top picks for the best credit card for drivers, tailored to fuel, food, and travel needs.
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: This card is a gem for drivers who want high rewards on gas without an annual fee. It’s perfect for truckers, commuters, or gig workers filling up at any gas station.
Rewards Structure: Earn 5x points on gas at the pump, 3x points on groceries, and 1x point on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or cash.
Annual Fee: $0.
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: No intro APR, but new cardholders can earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days.
Gas Station Compatibility: Works at any gas station, giving flexibility to drivers who aren’t tied to one brand.
Why It Stands Out: The 5x points on gas is one of the highest rewards rates available, making it a top choice for fuel cashback credit cards. You’ll need to join PenFed Credit Union, but membership is easy and open to all.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: This card shines for drivers who spend on gas, groceries, and dining. Rideshare drivers and truckers who eat out or shop at supermarkets will maximize rewards.
Rewards Structure: Earn 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshare), and 1% on other purchases.
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, plus a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
Gas Station Compatibility: Accepted at all U.S. gas stations, offering flexibility for commuters and delivery drivers.
Why It Stands Out: The 3% cash back on gas and transit, combined with high grocery rewards, makes this one of the best gas rewards credit cards for drivers who multitask on the road.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: Perfect for Costco members, this card offers high cashback on gas and travel, ideal for truckers and commuters who shop at Costco or need fuel discounts.
Rewards Structure: Earn FOUR% cash back on gas and EV charging worldwide(gas capped at $7,000 per year, then 1%), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco, and 1% on other purchases.
Annual Fee: $0 (requires a Costco membership, starting at $60/year).
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: No intro APR or sign-up bonus.
Gas Station Compatibility: Accepted at any gas station, with high rewards at Costco fuel stations.
Why It Stands Out: The 4% cash back on gas is unbeatable for Costco shoppers, and the travel and dining rewards suit long-haul drivers. Rewards are redeemed annually as a Costco certificate.
Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: This card is tailored for drivers who frequently fuel up at Shell stations, offering direct gas savings for truckers and delivery drivers.
Rewards Structure: Save 10 cents per gallon on up to 20 gallons per fill-up at Shell stations, plus 10% Shell rebates on non-fuel purchases (up to $1,200 annually). Earn 2% rebates on dining and groceries (up to $10,000 annually).
Annual Fee: $0.
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: Save 30 cents per gallon on your first five Shell fill-ups (up to 20 gallons each).
Gas Station Compatibility: Shell stations only, so it’s best for drivers near Shell locations.
Why It Stands Out: The per-gallon discount is unique among fuel cashback credit cards, but it’s limited to Shell, making it less flexible than others.
Discover it® Chrome
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: Great for part-time drivers or those with fair credit, this card offers solid cashback on gas and restaurants, perfect for delivery or rideshare drivers.
Rewards Structure: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases. Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year.
Annual Fee: $0.
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, plus the cashback match.
Gas Station Compatibility: Accepted at any gas station, offering flexibility.
Why It Stands Out: The cashback match doubles your rewards in year one, making it a driver-friendly credit card for those building credit or keeping costs low.
Chase Freedom Flex®
Why It’s Ideal for Drivers: This card’s rotating categories often include gas stations, making it a great pick for drivers who plan their spending. It also offers dining and travel rewards.
Rewards Structure: Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in purchases, activation required), 5% on travel through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on other purchases.
Annual Fee: $0.
Intro APR or Sign-Up Bonus: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, plus a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months.
Gas Station Compatibility: Any gas station, especially when gas is a quarterly category.
Why It Stands Out: The 5% rotating categories frequently include gas, making it one of the best gas rewards credit cards when activated.
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How to Choose the Best Credit Card as a Driver
Picking the best credit card for drivers depends on your habits and needs. Ask yourself:
- Do you buy fuel daily or weekly? Cards like PenFed Platinum or Costco Anywhere Visa® offer high gas rewards.
- Want to earn cashback or points? Cashback is simpler (Blue Cash Preferred®), while points (Chase Freedom Flex®) offer travel flexibility.
- Need a card that works at any gas station? Avoid brand-specific cards like Shell if you drive in areas without those stations.
- Looking for no annual fee or 0% APR? Discover it® Chrome and Chase Freedom Flex® have no annual fee and intro APR offers.
- Want roadside protection or rental car coverage? Check cards like Chase Freedom Flex® for travel perks or PenFed for roadside assistance.
Real-Life Driver Scenarios
- Rideshare Driver Success: Maria, an Uber driver in Chicago, uses the Blue Cash Preferred® Card. She spends $500 monthly on gas and $300 on dining, earning 3% on gas ($180/year) and 6% on dining ($216/year). After the $95 annual fee, she nets over $300 in cashback annually, plus the $250 sign-up bonus in her first year.
- Truck Driver Savings: Jake, a long-haul trucker, uses the Costco Anywhere Visa®. He spends $10,000 annually on gas (4% cash back = $280 after the cap) and $2,000 on hotels (3% = $60). His Costco membership and rewards certificate save him $340 yearly, covering fuel and truck stop snacks.
- Part-Time Delivery Win: Sarah, a DoorDash driver, uses Discover it® Chrome. She spends $200 monthly on gas and $100 on restaurants, earning 2% cash back ($72/year). With Discover’s first-year match, she earns $144 in her first year, helping cover car maintenance costs.
Smart Credit Card Tips for Drivers
- Use branded gas stations: Maximize rewards by fueling up at stations tied to your card, like Shell for the Shell Fuel Rewards® Mastercard®.
- Pay in full monthly: Avoid interest on fuel and food charges to keep your rewards valuable.
- Set spending alerts: Use card apps to track gas and auto expenses for tax deductions or budgeting.
- Leverage mobile apps: Cards like Chase Freedom Flex® offer apps to monitor rewards and activate quarterly categories.
- Combine with fuel programs: Pair your credit card with gas station loyalty programs (e.g., Shell Fuel Rewards) for extra savings.
FAQs
What is the best credit card for gas cashback?
The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers 5x points on gas, one of the highest rates. The Costco Anywhere Visa® is also great with 4% cash back on gas (up to $7,000/year). Both work at any gas station.
Can Uber/Lyft drivers use business credit cards?
Yes! Rideshare drivers are self-employed, so they qualify for cards like the Chase Ink Business Cash®, which offers 2% cash back on gas. These cards help track business expenses for taxes.
Do gas station credit cards offer better rewards than general travel cards?
Gas station cards like Shell Fuel Rewards® provide direct discounts but are limited to one brand. General cards like Chase Freedom Flex® offer flexibility and often include gas as a bonus category, making them better for diverse driving needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for drivers can save you big on fuel, food, and maintenance costs in 2025. Whether you’re a trucker logging long miles, an Uber driver navigating city streets, or a commuter filling up weekly, cards for truckers and delivery drivers like the PenFed Platinum or Blue Cash Preferred® turn everyday expenses into rewards. Review your monthly driving costs—gas, tolls, dining—and pick a driver-friendly credit card that matches your habits. A card with no annual fee, high gas cashback, or travel perks can make your time on the road more affordable and rewarding. Drive smart, save smarter!