UCSD Blink: Per Diem Rates for Long-Term Travel in the Continental U.S.

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Blink Home > Travel > Per Diem Rates for Long-Term Travel in the Continental U.S.

Per Diem Rates for Long-Term Travel in the Continental U.S.

Summary:

Follow the instructions below to calculate per diem rates for a trip that is within the continental United States and lasts 30 days or more.

Note: Duration of travel status, for the purpose of expense reimbursement, may not exceed 1 year.

What to do		How to do it
1	Calculate the number of days on travel status.	Calculate the number of hours on travel status. Divide the number of hours on travel status by 24. Example: 756 hours of travel divided by 24 = 31.5 days of travel. Round partial days to the nearest quarter. Example: Round 33.69 days to 33.75.
2	Determine the per diem rate.	Find the appropriate per diem rate for the travel destination.
3	Calculate the total per diem for the travel event.	Multiply the per diem rate from Task 2 by the number of days determined in Task 1. Multiply the result by 55%. Claim this amount on the Travel Expense Voucher (TEV). Note: The 55% policy is based on the assumption that if you travel long term, you can reduce your lodging expenses by renting instead of paying on a day-by-day basis. Example 31.5 days x per diem rate x 55% = total per diem. For meals provided at no charge during travel, you must deduct the meal rate from the allotted per diem. See reduction rates (PDF) to determine the amount to deduct from the daily per diem. You do not have to decrease incidental expenses. For lodging provided at no charge, only the Meal and Incidental Expense (M&IE) portion of the per diem will be reimbursed. Note: You do not need to submit receipts for meals and lodging when claiming per diem on a TEV.
4	Claim the per diem on the Travel Expense Voucher (TEV) (Excel).	Claim the amount calculated in Step 3 on the TEV. You can list the total in the Cost of Lodging column. Include a note in the Remarks section (box 16) indicating the number of days on travel status and the per diem rate used in your calculation.

Questions? Contact UCSD Travel or an individual Travel Team member.

Notice: UCSD travel policy, as published in Blink, is decisive. It has been adapted to UCSD's organization, delegation of authority, terminology, chart of accounts, and processing applications. The source for UCSD travel policy is UC Travel Policy and Regulations.