PCS travel days: how many you get and what each one pays

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 $0.235 per mile for travel on or after July 1, 2026 (it was $0.205 earlier in 2026).

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 October 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: $0.235 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.