TL;DR: The 2026 PCS mileage rate (MALT) is $0.205 per mile, per authorized vehicle, paid on the official DTOD distance between your old and new duty stations. This guide shows you exactly how to calculate your reimbursement, stack it with per diem and travel days, and file your claim without leaving money on the table.
You just got orders, you’re staring down a cross-country drive, and one question keeps circling: how much does the military actually pay you back for driving your own car? You’re in the right place. Below is the current 2026 rate, the real math with a worked example, and the small details finance offices assume you already know. No fluff — just what you need to budget your move and file a clean claim.
What Is PCS Mileage Reimbursement (MALT)?
When your orders authorize travel by privately owned vehicle (POV), the government pays you a flat rate for every mile driven to your new duty station. That payment is called MALT — the Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation. Instead of tracking gas receipts and oil changes, you get a set amount per mile that covers the drive.
Here’s the part that trips people up: MALT is a payment for the trip, not a full refund of your costs. It is intentionally set below the IRS business rate because it only accounts for fuel-related costs, not full wear and tear. As a result, you should treat it as one piece of your PCS budget — not the whole thing.
Below is a quick snapshot of the numbers that matter for a 2026 drive. Notably, the PCS rate and the TDY rate are two different things, and confusing them is the most common mistake families make.
| 2026 Travel Pay Element | Rate | What it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| PCS mileage (MALT) | $0.205 / mile | Driving your POV on PCS orders |
| TDY / TAD mileage | $0.725 / mile | Temporary duty travel — not a PCS move |
| Standard CONUS per diem | $178 / day | Lodging ($110) + meals & incidentals ($68) |
| First & last travel day (M&IE) | $51 | Meals paid at 75% on partial travel days |
Data last verified: July 2026. Confirm current figures at the official DTMO rate page before you file.
Before you map your route, map your money. A free PCS PLAN© pulls your mileage, per diem, lodging, and entitlements into one clear picture built around your rank, your family size, and your timeline — so nothing slips through the cracks on move week.
The 2026 MALT Rate: $0.205 Per Mile
For travel on or after January 1, 2026, the Defense Travel Management Office set the MALT rate at 20.5 cents per mile. This rate applies across every branch — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force — and it covers cars, motorcycles, and, in rare authorized cases, privately owned aircraft.
Two rules about this rate save families the most confusion, so let’s break each one down.
The rate does not go up for passengers
MALT pays per vehicle, not per person. If you, your spouse, and three kids all ride in one car, you still receive $0.205 per mile for that vehicle. Additionally, the government does not pay more because the car is fuller. The passengers instead earn their own per diem, which we cover in the next section.
You can claim mileage for two vehicles
Most families own more than one car, and the military accounts for that. If you and your spouse drive two POVs separately to the new station, each vehicle earns its own $0.205 per mile — up to two vehicles total. Consequently, a two-car household driving 1,000 miles doubles the mileage payment. Both vehicles must be authorized on your orders, so confirm this with your losing installation before you split up the caravan.
Why finance uses DTOD, not your odometer
Your reimbursement is not based on the miles your odometer racks up. Instead, it is based on the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD) — the point-to-point distance between your old and new installations. Finance offices verify every claim against DTOD before they pay it.
This detail matters more than it sounds. If you take a scenic detour through five national parks, you still get paid the DTOD distance — not your actual miles. On the other hand, if you find a shorter back-road route, you still get the full DTOD distance. Furthermore, quoting Google Maps miles on your claim can actually shortchange you, because DTOD distances often differ. Always use the DTOD figure your finance office pulls.
How to Calculate Your PCS Mileage Reimbursement
The math is simpler than the acronyms make it look. Follow these three steps and you’ll have a solid estimate before you ever pull out of the driveway.
Step 1: Find your DTOD distance
Start with the official distance between your two duty stations, not your planned route. Your transportation office or finance office can pull this for you, and many PCS calculators use DTOD-equivalent distances to get you close.
Step 2: Multiply distance by $0.205 — per vehicle
Take your DTOD miles and multiply by the 2026 rate. Then, if you’re driving a second authorized POV, run the same math again for that car and add the two together.
Step 3: Add your travel days of per diem
Mileage is only half the payment. On top of MALT, you earn per diem for each authorized travel day on the road. We break down exactly how travel days work below.
Here’s how it comes together for a realistic example: an E-5 with a spouse and one child under 12, driving two vehicles roughly 1,000 DTOD miles.
| Line item | Math | Estimated amount |
|---|---|---|
| MALT — vehicle 1 | 1,000 mi × $0.205 | $205 |
| MALT — vehicle 2 | 1,000 mi × $0.205 | $205 |
| Authorized travel days | First 400 mi + 2 more segments | 3 days |
| Per diem (family, 3 days) | Member + dependents, see below | ~$900–$1,150 |
| Estimated PCS travel total | ~$1,300–$1,550 |
Illustrative only — your finance office calculates the exact figure from your DTOD distance and dependent ages. Verify your numbers before you budget.
Notice that the mileage alone is $410, but per diem more than doubles the payout. That’s why families who plan for both parts of the equation budget far more accurately than those who only think about gas.
PCS Per Diem: Lodging and Meals on the Road
Per diem covers your hotels and meals while you drive between duty stations. For 2026, the standard CONUS rate is $178 per day — $110 for lodging plus $68 for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE). Importantly, PCS travel uses this flat standard rate no matter where you overnight, unlike TDY travel, which changes by city.
Three rules shape how much your family actually receives.
The first and last day are paid at 75%
On partial travel days — the day you leave and the day you arrive — your M&IE drops to 75%, or $51 instead of $68. Meanwhile, full days on the road are paid at the complete $68. Lodging is reimbursed at actual cost up to the $110 cap for each night you’re traveling.
Dependents earn a percentage of your rate
Your family members don’t get the full member rate, but they do add up quickly. Specifically, dependents age 12 and older receive 75% of your per diem, while dependents under 12 receive 50%. For a family of four, that stacks meaningfully across a multi-day drive.
| Traveler | Per diem rate | Full travel day (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Service member | 100% | $178 |
| Dependent age 12+ | 75% | ~$134 |
| Dependent under 12 | 50% | ~$89 |
Rates reflect FY2026 standard CONUS per diem. First and last travel days are reduced per the 75% M&IE rule.
How many travel days you actually get
The military doesn’t pay per diem for the whole calendar week — it pays for authorized travel days based on distance. The rule is straightforward: a trip of 400 miles or fewer earns one travel day. After that, each additional 350 miles earns one more day. For example, a 1,000-mile drive works out to three authorized travel days.
Driving and doing a DITY at the same time? Mileage, per diem, and your move reimbursement interact in ways that change your strategy. Our complete DITY/PPM move guide walks through how to stack them — and the PCS Toolkit keeps every form and deadline in one place.
Is PCS Mileage Reimbursement Taxable?
Good news for your budget: MALT for an authorized PCS move is not taxable. It won’t show up as income on your W-2, and you don’t owe payroll or income tax on it. In addition, you don’t need to submit gas or maintenance receipts for MALT, because finance pays it on the DTOD distance rather than your actual spending.
A few costs sit outside MALT and are reimbursed separately — but only with receipts. Tolls, ferry fees, and bridge charges fall into this bucket, so keep every receipt from the road. Because these are easy to forget, tuck them into your claim folder the moment you pay them.
Worth noting: the tax rules around a military move can work in your favor beyond mileage. Our guide to PCS tax write-offs breaks down what else you may be able to claim, so you don’t hand the IRS money you didn’t owe.
MALT vs. the Other PCS Entitlements
Mileage is one line on a much bigger payment. To budget honestly, you should know how MALT fits alongside the other entitlements your orders unlock. Here’s the short version — and where to go deeper on each.
- DLA (Dislocation Allowance) — a one-time payment to cover the “everything else” of moving: deposits, utilities, setup costs. It’s based on your rank and dependent status, not distance, and 2026 rates rose about 3.8% over 2025.
- TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) — covers hotels and meals at your old or new station while you wait on housing, for up to 14 days CONUS. Many families forget to claim it, and it can be worth over $1,000.
- PPM/DITY reimbursement — if you move your own household goods, the government pays you 100% of what it would have paid a contractor. Anything you move for less, you keep tax-free.
- Per diem — the lodging-and-meals payment covered above, paid per authorized travel day.
Because your rank drives most of these numbers, it helps to have your full compensation picture handy. The 2026 military pay charts and the 2026 BAH rates guide round out what to expect on the money side of your move.
How to File Your PCS Mileage Claim
Filing is where good planning pays off. You’ll typically submit your PCS travel claim during in-processing at your gaining installation, using DD Form 1351-2 along with a copy of your orders. Then, finance calculates your MALT, per diem, and travel days from the DTOD distance and pays you accordingly.
A few habits make the process smoother and faster:
- Keep several copies of your orders — finance, housing, and TMO will each want one.
- Save every toll, ferry, and lodging receipt in one folder as you go.
- Ask about advance travel pay before you leave; it can cover fuel and lodging up front so you’re not floating the whole trip on a credit card.
- Confirm your DTOD distance with finance rather than guessing from a map app.
Here’s the honest real talk: reimbursement rarely hits your account the day you arrive. Processing can take a couple of weeks, and you’re responsible for your Government Travel Charge Card balance in the meantime. Therefore, an advance or a small travel cushion keeps the drive from becoming a cash-flow crunch. For more hard-won tips from families who’ve done this, our military moving tips are worth a read before you load the truck.
Don’t run the numbers alone. A free PCS PLAN© connects you with people who’ve moved to your exact base and know how that finance office actually operates. Build your plan, and you’ll walk into in-processing already knowing what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 PCS mileage reimbursement rate?
The 2026 MALT rate is $0.205 per mile, per authorized vehicle, effective January 1, 2026. It applies to driving your privately owned vehicle to your new duty station on PCS orders. The rate is set annually, so verify it before you file.
What is MALT and how is it different from the TDY mileage rate?
MALT stands for Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation, and it is the PCS driving rate of $0.205 per mile in 2026. The TDY mileage rate is much higher at $0.725 per mile, but it only applies to temporary duty travel — not a PCS move. Using the TDY rate for a PCS claim is a common and costly mistake.
How do I calculate my PCS mileage reimbursement?
Multiply the official DTOD distance between your duty stations by $0.205. If you drive a second authorized vehicle, run the same math for that car and add the totals. Then add per diem for your authorized travel days to see your full travel payment.
Does the MALT rate increase if I have passengers?
No. MALT pays per vehicle, not per person, so the rate stays $0.205 per mile whether you drive alone or with your whole family. Your passengers instead earn their own per diem for meals and lodging on the road.
Can I claim mileage for two vehicles during a PCS?
Yes. If you and your spouse drive two POVs separately, each authorized vehicle earns $0.205 per mile, up to two vehicles total. Both cars must be authorized on your orders, so confirm this with your losing installation first.
Is PCS mileage reimbursement taxable?
No. MALT for an authorized PCS move is non-taxable and does not appear on your W-2. You also don’t need receipts for MALT itself, since it is paid on the official DTOD distance rather than your actual fuel spending.
How many travel days do I get for a PCS drive?
A trip of 400 miles or fewer earns one travel day. After the first 400 miles, each additional 350 miles earns one more day. For example, a 1,000-mile drive works out to three authorized travel days.
What is the 2026 PCS per diem rate?
The 2026 standard CONUS per diem is $178 per day — $110 for lodging plus $68 for meals and incidental expenses. Your first and last travel days are paid at 75% of the meal rate, or $51. PCS travel uses this flat standard rate regardless of where you stop.
Do I use my odometer or Google Maps for PCS mileage?
Neither. Finance pays MALT on the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), the point-to-point distance between installations. A detour won’t earn you extra miles, and quoting map-app distances can actually shortchange your claim.
How do I file my PCS mileage claim?
You’ll usually file DD Form 1351-2 during in-processing at your gaining base, along with a copy of your orders. Finance then calculates your MALT, per diem, and travel days from the DTOD distance. Keep toll and lodging receipts, since some costs are reimbursed separately.
Can I get PCS travel money before I move?
Often, yes. Many members qualify for advance travel pay to cover fuel and lodging up front, so you’re not floating the entire trip on a credit card. Ask your finance office what you qualify for well before your move date.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 PCS mileage rate is $0.205 per mile (MALT), paid per authorized vehicle — not per person.
- Don’t confuse it with the $0.725 TDY rate. That higher rate is for temporary duty, not a PCS move.
- You can claim two vehicles. If you and your spouse drive separately, each car earns its own mileage.
- Distance comes from DTOD, not your odometer or Google Maps. Confirm the figure with finance.
- Add per diem to your estimate. The 2026 standard is $178/day, with dependents earning 75% or 50% based on age.
- MALT is tax-free and needs no receipts — but save your tolls, ferries, and lodging receipts, which are claimed separately.
- Ask about advance travel pay so reimbursement timing doesn’t turn your move into a cash crunch.
- Build the whole picture first. Start your free PCS PLAN© so mileage, per diem, and every entitlement line up before you hit the road.
