Kerosene and heating fuel delivery route
Run a small tank truck delivering kerosene and heating fuel to regular customers across your county.
- $50k-250k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
7,703 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
NAICS 454310 “Fuel dealers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small fuel delivery business with a metered tank truck (a bobtail). You buy kerosene in bulk and deliver it to residential and commercial tanks on a regular route.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state DOT and fuel regulator about commercial driver's license, hazmat and fuel dealer requirements for operating a tank truck
- Get quotes for a used metered tank truck, bulk supply terms from a wholesale supplier, and commercial insurance
- Map a delivery area, price against local dealers, and sign up your first regular customers through local ads and word of mouth
Who pays
Homeowners with kerosene or oil heating, farms, small businesses, schools and contractors in areas without natural gas.
How it makes money
You earn a per-gallon margin on each delivery, often with a delivery fee for small orders. Scheduled or automatic deliveries and service plans build repeat income.
Skills that help
- Commercial driving and safe fuel handling
- Route planning and scheduling
- Customer billing and account management
- Basic mechanical awareness
Watch out for
- A commercial driver's license, hazmat endorsement or other driver requirements may apply depending on truck size and state, so verify first
- State and local fuel dealer licenses, meter inspections and environmental rules, including spill response plans
- Insurance costs for tank trucks and pollution liability can be high, so get quotes before committing
- Workers' compensation insurance once you hire a driver
- Seasonal demand, fuel price swings and customers' payment delays can strain cash flow
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: kerosene and heating fuel delivery route
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a heating fuel delivery route?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $50,000 to $250,000, depending on the metered tank truck, insurance and other setup. Get quotes for tank truck and pollution liability insurance before committing, as costs can be high.
What rules apply to a fuel delivery truck business?
Check whether a commercial driver's license, hazmat endorsement or other driver requirements apply for your truck size and state. Also check state and local fuel dealer licenses, meter inspections and environmental rules, including spill response plans.
How much can a kerosene and heating fuel route earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on your route, customers and fuel prices. Seasonal demand and customer payment delays can strain cash flow. Expect at least about 30 hours a week.
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