TDY planning

Build a quick cost picture before completing the detailed calculator.

This compact worksheet estimates lodging, M&IE, POV mileage, rental-car cost, and other authorized expenses. For trips of two or more days, it applies 75% M&IE to the first and last travel days and the full entered rate to intervening days. It uses one 75% travel day for a same-day estimate but cannot determine whether the trip met the time and authorization requirements for per diem.

Trip days Lodging per night M&IE per day Authorized POV miles Rental car total Other authorized expenses

Enter TDY planning inputs to see the major cost categories.

What belongs in each category

Lodging

Use expected actual nightly cost, not automatically the ceiling. Add taxes only where the applicable rules treat them separately.

M&IE

Use the locality rate and then account for travel days and deductible furnished meals in the detailed calculator.

POV mileage

Use authorized official miles. A privately chosen route or convenience travel may be limited by a constructed-cost comparison.

Other expenses

Include only items reasonably expected to be authorized, such as approved parking or tolls; keep personal costs separate.

Rental-car authorization, fuel, POV mileage, parking, tolls, and airport transportation can overlap. Avoid counting the same cost twice.

TDY references

Joint Travel Regulations, GSA M&IE breakdowns, and DTMO mileage rates.

Build a quick TDY cost picture.

Build a quick cost picture before completing the detailed calculator.

What belongs in each category