Independent owner-operators must do everything they can to lower costs in order to compete with larger carriers. One of the ways I've helped myself on fuel costs is joining the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) and taking advantage of their Quality Plus Network for cost-plus, retail-minus or marquee price discounts at a network of vetted stops. With NASTC, you're joining a co-op of sorts with other small fleets and owner-operators, which pools your buying power. Using the fuel card gets you discounts more or less where the mega-fleets are purchasing fuel. I think it's also nice that you don't ever have to wait for a rebate -- the discount is applied when you pay.
NASTC's Daily Fuel Hedge is another feature of their fuel program that can help you spot trends in where is going. Generally, when prices on the decline, the in-network discount for purchases tends to be greater.
NASTC also offers on its website a listing of in-network fuel stops and lists current prices (updated daily) with and without fuel taxes in order that you can see the real price of the fuel to help optimize real costs. You can also look at tomorrow's, yesterday's and current prices at all network stops.
They have many other services that can benefit your business -- from programs to help you manage compliance, software to track and manage the business, and many others. Find them at www.nastc.com.