Frequently Asked Questions
The Department uses a Smartsheet form for submitting miscellaneous equipment rental rate requests. Before submitting your request, please check the dashboard (link below) to see if a similar request has already been submitted. There is also a Smartsheet link to the miscellaneous equipment rental rate request form on the Dashboard.
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=3e6e9683d9824559b65ecaf4056ee910
- Make and model of equipment
- Date work performed
- Caltrans contract number/EA
- Local Caltrans field office/RE should be included in the request, if submitted by the contractor
We base the current fuel price on a one-year average of the California weekly diesel fuel price, which is published by the Department of Energy. The diesel cost, from the book effective April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, is $5.357/gallon and includes both state and federal taxes. These taxes are removed for off-highway equipment.
Below are the fuel costs for the previous five years.
Year | Fuel Cost ($/Gal) |
---|---|
23/24 | 6.028 |
22/22 | 4.164* |
22/23 | 5.403* |
21/22 | 3.377 |
20/21 | 3.923 |
19/20 | 3.876 |
*Note: A supplemental book was published during 2022-2023 work period due to a 15-20 percent fuel cost increase.
Rates added to the system are for the equipment used on Caltrans contracts.
For non-official “dummy” rates, use the link below to get an equivalent rate:
https://mets.dot.ca.gov/equipment-rental-rate-calculator/home.php
The following information is needed to calculate a rate:
- A new equipment list or sales price
- Net horsepower
- The approximate weight of the equipment
Make sure you read the declaimer at the bottom of the page before you submit your query for a rate. If you are having trouble with the site or have some additional questions, contact the Rental Rate Office at:
rental.rates@dot.ca.gov