PCS MONEY · TRAVEL ALLOWANCES
PCS travel days: how many you get and what each one pays
Driving to your next duty station? The JTR sets exactly how many travel days you're authorized, and each one comes with per diem plus mileage.
350 milesof official distance per authorized travel day when you drive
The short answer: for POV (driving) travel, you get roughly one travel day per 350 miles of official distance. Up to 400 miles is 1 day; beyond that, divide the official distance by 350, and a remainder of 51 miles or more adds one more day. Each authorized travel day pays per diem, and the drive itself pays mileage (MALT) at $0.205 per mile.
The formula, with real numbers
| Official distance | Math | Authorized travel days |
|---|---|---|
| 250 miles | 400 or less | 1 day |
| 640 miles | 640 ÷ 350 = 1 r 290 (≥51) | 2 days |
| 1,050 miles | 1,050 ÷ 350 = 3 r 0 | 3 days |
| 1,200 miles | 1,200 ÷ 350 = 3 r 150 (≥51) | 4 days |
| 2,400 miles | 2,400 ÷ 350 = 6 r 300 (≥51) | 7 days |
Source: Joint Travel Regulations via the Defense Travel Management Office. travel.dod.mil. As of July 2026.
Five rules that decide your money
- Official distance, not your GPS. The number comes from the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), not Google Maps. Scenic routes are on you.
- Each authorized day pays per diem (lodging and meals at the standard rate), whether you spend it driving hard or stopping early. Days beyond your authorization pay nothing.
- Mileage (MALT) is per mile, not per day: $0.205 per official mile for the authorized traveler, regardless of how many days you take.
- Two cars, two claims: when two POVs are authorized (common for families), each driver claims MALT for their own vehicle.
- Travel days aren't leave. Take longer than your authorized days and the extras generally get charged as leave. Plan the route around the math.
The rest of the move money: TLE vs TLA covers the lodging allowances on either end, and the PCS Money Guide covers DLA, PPM moves, and the full picture.
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