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Four days and three nights at the standard rate
The trip runs Monday through Thursday, which is 4 calendar days and 3 lodging nights. Lodging is the FY 2027 standard rate of 113. M&IE is 68, and the first and last day stay at 75 percent. GSA’s breakdown lists 51 for that travel day.
Calendar days: 25% lower
Change calendar days to 3 days while keeping the other example values the same.
Calendar days: 25% higher
Change calendar days to 5 days while keeping the other example values the same.
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Quick answer
What does the Per diem trip cost calculate?
What does a business trip cost on per diem? This calculator uses calendar days, lodging nights, lodging rate, m&ie rate, and first and last day to estimate lodging plus meals on a business trip immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is $577.00 — lodging plus meals and incidentals. It also shows lodging, meals and incidentals, and travel-day m&ie.
How to use the Per diem trip cost
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Calendar days — entered in days
- Lodging nights — entered in nights
- Lodging rate — entered in / night
- M&IE rate — entered in / day
- First and last day — entered in %
Per diem trip cost formula
Lodging = nights × lodging rate. For a trip of two or more days, M&IE is two travel days at the first-and-last share plus each middle day at the full rate. A one-day trip uses the travel-day share once.
Assumptions
- GSA Per Diem Bulletin FTR 27-01 sets the FY 2027 standard CONUS lodging rate at $113 and leaves the standard M&IE rate at $68. Those rates cover travel from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. A non-standard area uses its own rate, so replace the 113 and the 68 when the city is listed.
- GSA’s per diem FAQ pays 75 percent of the M&IE rate on the first and last travel day. The M&IE breakdown table lists $51 for a $68 rate. Lodging is actual cost up to the maximum. CONUS lodging tax is a separate miscellaneous expense.
Verify the inputs
Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Raises the standard CONUS lodging rate from $110 to $113. The standard M&IE rate stays at $68, and the M&IE tiers stay at $68 to $92.
Per diem frequently asked questionsUS General Services AdministrationScope: Federal travel in the continental United StatesPays 75 percent of the M&IE rate on the first and last travel day, using the temporary duty location. Lodging is actual cost up to the maximum. CONUS lodging taxes are reimbursed separately as a miscellaneous expense.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Per diem trip cost example and edge cases
A federal per diem trip is lodging plus meals and incidental expenses. GSA Bulletin FTR 27-01 sets the FY 2027 standard CONUS rates at 113 for lodging and 68 for M&IE. The first and last travel day pay 75 percent of the M&IE rate.
Example: Four days and three nights at the standard rate
The trip runs Monday through Thursday, which is 4 calendar days and 3 lodging nights. Lodging is the FY 2027 standard rate of 113. M&IE is 68, and the first and last day stay at 75 percent. GSA’s breakdown lists 51 for that travel day.
- Calendar days
- 4 days
- Lodging nights
- 3 nights
- Lodging rate
- 113 / night
- M&IE rate
- 68 / day
- First and last day
- 75 %
Calculated result$577.00lodging plus meals and incidentals
Lodging is 339. Meals and incidentals are 238, from two travel days at 51 and two full days at 68. The trip total is 577. A city on the non-standard list needs its own rates in the boxes.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the trip total first. The 339 lodging line is 3 nights at 113. The 238 meal line is 51 plus 68 plus 68 plus 51. Those rates apply to travel from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
- GSA pays lodging at actual cost up to the maximum. A 100 room replaces the 113. CONUS lodging tax stays outside that cap and is claimed as a miscellaneous expense.
Edge cases worth checking
The city is on the non-standard list
Bulletin FTR 27-01 keeps a standard rate for most of the continental United States and lists separate rates for 295 areas. Type the lodging and M&IE figures GSA shows for that city and month. The 113 and 68 are the standard pair.
Lodging tax is still outside the cap
The GSA FAQ treats CONUS lodging tax as a miscellaneous expense, limited to the tax on reimbursable lodging. Add that tax into the lodging rate when you want it in the total, and leave it out when the voucher will claim it on its own line.
What changes the result most
Calendar days
Keep calendar days on the same time basis as the other inputs. Monthly and annual values are easy to mix up.
Lodging nights
Change lodging nights on its own first. This shows how strongly it affects the answer.
Lodging rate
Test a lower and higher lodging rate. A small percentage change can move the final result more than expected.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Calendar days: 25% lower
3 days$509.00lodging plus meals and incidentals
Calendar days: 25% higher
5 days$645.00lodging plus meals and incidentals
Lodging nights: 25% higher
4 nights$690.00lodging plus meals and incidentals
Common mistakes
Check calendar days
GSA Per Diem Bulletin FTR 27-01 sets the FY 2027 standard CONUS lodging rate at $113 and leaves the standard M&IE rate at $68. Those rates cover travel from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. A non-standard area uses its own rate, so replace the 113 and the 68 when the city is listed. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep first and last day consistent
GSA’s per diem FAQ pays 75 percent of the M&IE rate on the first and last travel day. The M&IE breakdown table lists $51 for a $68 rate. Lodging is actual cost up to the maximum. CONUS lodging tax is a separate miscellaneous expense. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one per diem trip cost scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
What does a business trip cost on per diem?
It does not replace a quote, contract, accountant, or local employment guidance.