Westlake, Ohio — Professional truck drivers stopping at TravelCenters of America facilities nationwide can now use Relay Payments for a completely cardless fueling experience. The rollout brings Relay’s digital payment technology to every TA, Petro Stopping Centers, and TA Express location across the country, giving owner-operators and fleets a secure way to purchase diesel and diesel exhaust fluid without pulling out a physical card.
Fuel card fraud and pump tampering have long plagued the freight industry, forcing drivers to deal with suspicious charges and wasted hours untangling billing discrepancies. This integration eliminates the physical swipe at the pump entirely. Motorists can initiate transactions either inside the travel center or directly at the lane using the Relay mobile application, which also maps out participating locations to help drivers plan their routes across major freight corridors.
Carrier demand served as the primary catalyst for the partnership. Michael Stuewe, senior vice president of fleet sales at TA, noted that commercial motor carriers repeatedly requested Relay acceptance at their facilities. Ryan Droege, CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments, emphasized that integrating with the TA network ensures fleets maintain access to fast, secure payment methods at essential highway stops. Fleets gain tighter control over individual transactions, reducing administrative back-office burdens and cutting down on the vulnerabilities associated with traditional magnetic stripe cards.
What This Means for Drivers
For independent owner-operators and company drivers alike, eliminating the physical fuel card removes the primary vector for skimmer fraud. CDL-A drivers operating OTR schedules can complete fuel stops faster and get back on the highway without waiting on phone support to clear compromised accounts. The digital transaction system also helps protect hours-of-service compliance by minimizing delays at the fuel island, keeping loads moving on schedule toward their delivery destinations.
Industry Reaction
The push toward digital-first transactions reflects a broader industry shift as trucking companies demand better safeguards against financial cybercrime. With thousands of commercial trucks stopping at TA and Petro lanes daily, securing the payment chain protects both large motor carriers and independent operators from unauthorized charges. Backed by a 24/7 United States-based support team, the platform aims to resolve payment hitches immediately so drivers avoid lengthy disruptions on long hauls.
Key Points
- Relay digital payments are now accepted at all TA, Petro Stopping Centers, and TA Express locations nationwide.
- Drivers can pay for diesel and DEF cardlessly through the Relay app either at the pump or inside the store.
- The system removes skimming risks by eliminating physical card swipes entirely.
- Relay provides 24/7, 365 U.S.-based support to help drivers resolve transaction issues quickly and protect their hours.
Looking for a better trucking job? US Trucker's free job-matching service connects CDL-A drivers, OTR drivers, regional drivers, and owner-operators with 500+ top US carriers. Leave your details in the form on this page and a recruiter will call you within one business day. Trucking companies are hiring now.
Photo by Abhishek Navlakha on Pexels