The Real Cost of Truck Idling: How Small Changes Can Save You Big Money


Concerned About The Cost of Fleet Idling?
Do you know how much idling costs you every year? Unless you have a GPS tracking solution that includes idling reports, the answer is probably no. Idling may seem like no big deal, but when your vehicles are unnecessarily idling, you’re losing money on wasted fuel, increased maintenance, and even hurting your reputation.
The good news? Small changes can make a big difference, and with the right tools, those changes are easier than you think.
Why Truck Idling Costs You Money
The cost of idling goes right to your bottom line.
- Wasted Fuel: Every hour a truck idles can burn up to a gallon of fuel. Multiply that by your fleet size and idle time, and you’re looking at thousands of dollars in fuel costs.
- Wear-and-Tear: That extra runtime accelerates wear-and-tear, meaning more frequent repairs and reduced vehicle lifespans.
- Fines and Complaints: Thirty-one states in the US have anti-idling regulations that can carry hefty fines – up to $2,000 per instance. Even if you’re not in those states, idling trucks irritate people and reflect poorly on your business.


The Small Changes That Save Big Money
Reducing idling requires just a few targeted adjustments:
- Train Drivers: Help your team understand the cost of idling and encourage better habits. Incentivize drivers, offering to split the savings with them!
- Set Clear Policies: Make reducing idling a priority with straightforward policies.
- Leverage Technology: Track and trend idling so you have accurate data to see if what you’re doing is working.
Of course, sometimes idling is necessary, especially in very hot or very cold temperatures. The safety and well-being of the driver is more important.
How GPS Tracking and Alerts Save You Thousands
Momentum IoT’s GPS tracking platform makes reducing idling simple.
- Real-Time Idling Alerts: Get notified the moment a vehicle idles for too long. Address the problem on the spot.
- Detailed Reports: See which vehicles and drivers have the highest idling times. This data makes it easy to identify problem areas and track improvement over time. No guessing.
- Driver Scorecards: Reward drivers who improve and coach those who don’t. Data doesn’t lie, and it gives you the leverage to make meaningful change without the drama.
With Momentum IoT, customers have cut idle times dramatically, slashing fuel costs and reducing vehicle wear—one customer saved over $700,000 annually. They knew they had idling trucks, but they were very surprised at how significant the problem was and really happy they fixed it.
A Solution That More Than Pays for Itself
The EPA conducted a study back in 2021 and determined that a long-haul semi burned up to 1,400 gallons of diesel fuel a year idling and a short-haul truck 360 gallons per year. Using $4.00/gallon for diesel and $3.50/gallon for gas that means you could save between $5,600 and $1,260 a year per truck. The cost of Momentum for each truck is $20 a month, or $240 a year. That’s an impressive return on your investment—on top of all the savings you get from improving fleet efficiency.
With Momentum, there are no contracts or upfront costs. Just straightforward pricing that works for your business. And because our hardware is covered by a lifetime warranty, you can focus on improving operations without worrying about unexpected expenses like broken equipment or costly upgrades.

Take Action Against Idling
Idling might seem like a small thing, but it adds up fast. With the right tools and a little effort, you can stop burning cash and extend the life of your fleet.