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How Far Can We Drive Each Day of our PCS?
Before permanent change of station (PCS) orders even hit your inbox you've likely already mapped out your route to your next duty station, and maybe even planned a detour to see friends or family along the way. But then you read the rules and feel confused: what is this talk about a 350 miles per-day limit?
The orders probably say something like, "Travel by privately owned vehicle is authorized....." followed by more details on reimbursement.
The orders may or may not have information on them about how many travel days you are allotted. But they will have the report date on them. A quick look at a map will show you how many hours of driving it will take to get there.
For example, if you're traveling Arizona to Naval Air Station Pensacola , Florida, you'll be driving 1,573 miles. As you might guess, the military does not want you making this almost 23-hour drive in one go. They also don't want you to take two months getting there.
That's why the military created travel rules, with guidelines for how many days -- and overnight stops -- it should take a service member to get from point A to point B.
Related: 8 Tips to Prepare for Your First PCS Move
According to the Defense Travel website's FAQs , "A traveler who is authorized PCS travel by POV is allowed one day of travel for the first 400 miles between authorized points. For any distance greater than 400 miles, the traveler is allowed another day of travel for every additional 350 miles. See the JTR, par. 050205."
That's the calculation the military uses for determining how many travel days they'll pay for. For the 1,573 mile trip, you are authorized to take 5 travel days. (If the remainder of the mileage divided by 350 is more than 51, add a day.)
But what's really important is that you arrive and sign-in on your report date. If you take three days to get there or seven days to get there, it doesn't really matter. You'll get paid per diem for the five days.
Seasoned military spouses and service members have figured out that there's not much benefit to pushing the limits on this. The reason 350 miles is the recommended amount of miles a day is because that is approximately 6six hours a day at 60 miles-per-hour. That's not a lot if you are driving on the interstate at a higher speed than that. But it can really add up to long days if you're driving two vehicles, one of them hauling a trailer and the other with three kids, a dog and a cat.
Six hours of driving a day for eight days is a lot. The military doesn't want you to push it to the point of exhaustion. They want to give you wiggle room to stop early if you're tired and to allow for flat tires or vehicle repairs.
But that doesn't mean you can't manipulate the timeframe a little to your advantage. For example, on that trip from Fort Huachuca to Pensacola, you may be able to plan some longer days, and then take a day in San Antonio and hit up Sea World.
Most importantly, drive carefully, plan your stops ahead of time and make the most of where this journey takes you.
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Rebecca Alwine
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IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
There are numerous steps in an Overseas Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process. ... The MALT Rate per authorized POC is $.22/mile for PCS travel beginning on or after 1 July 2022. ... The appropriate OCONUS TLA Authority may authorize TLA up to 60 days upon arrival at the OCONUS PDS or up to 10 days prior to departure from the OCONUS PDS ...
The mileage rate is $0.22 per mile, per authorized vehicle. The TDY mileage rate is $0.625 per mile. Authorized travel days are computed by official mileage. The first day of travel is 400 miles, each additional day is 350 miles. PER DIEM is a flat rate paid to the service member and a percentage paid to dependents for meals and lodging in route.
Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY): If you are retiring you may be authorized up to 20 days of Permissive TDY (See AR 600-8-10 for clarification or for approval speak to your Command). The approving authority for PTDY of ten days is an LTC or above, if more than 10 days, COL or above. AR 600-8-10 paragraph 5-35G states: "Transition PTDY may be used in increments (not to exceed days as ...
Computation Examples. Select a topic to display related computation examples. Actual Expense Allowance (AEA) City Pair Program. Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowances (OCONUS COLA) Deductible Meals. Dual Lodging. Emergency Leave. Flat Rate Per Diem Transition.
by 350, one additional day of travel time is allowed. When the total official distance is 400 miles or less, 1 day's travel time is allowed. See chart below. Chart for determining number of authorized travel days: Miles # of Days 51 - 400 1 Day 401 - 750 2 Days 751 - 1100 3 Days 1101 - 1450 4 Days 1451 - 1800 5 Days 1801 - 2150 6 Days
(PCS) moves in CONUS. Additionally, the 5-day time limitation during PCS moves from CONUS to OCONUS moves will be increased to 7 days. This revision was approved by the Chair, Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation, Allowance ... authorized travel time between PDSs. For example, if a Service member has 8 days elapsed time (which includes proceed ...
Allow 1 day for travel by air, train, or bus transportation. 1 day. 1 day. 6. Add Step 4 and Step 5 together, to determine the authorized travel time. 7+1=8. 8 days. 7. Compare Step 6 with the maximum number of authorized travel days in Step 2 and use the lesser of the two.
Travel Time •A Soldier and/or dependent is authorized travel time to complete a PCS move. •If the ordered travel is 400 or fewer miles and the traveler uses a POV, then 1 day of travel is authorized for the official distance. If the distance is greater than 400 miles, then divide by 350 to determine the number of authorized travel days.
There are numerous steps in an Overseas Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process. ... The MALT Rate per authorized POC is $.22/mile for PCS travel beginning on or after 1 July 2022. ... The appropriate OCONUS TLA Authority may authorize TLA up to 60 days upon arrival at the OCONUS PDS or up to 10 days prior to departure from the OCONUS PDS ...
You can find your authorized allotment in the Joint Travel Regulations Storage in Transit section, Table 5-91. Note: DOD civilian CONUS to CONUS 60 days/to or from OCONUS 90 days - see JTR table 5-91.
For the 1,573 mile trip, you are authorized to take 5 travel days. (If the remainder of the mileage divided by 350 is more than 51, add a day.) But what's really important is that you arrive and ...
The HHT trip duration, including travel time, is limited to 10 days. From March 13, 2019 to December 31, 2022, additional travel days may be authorized if flights are delayed, cancelled, or changed for reasons beyond the employee's control (See FTR Bulletin 22-07). If the HHT is authorized, it should lower the Government's relocation costs by
If the distance is less than what was allowed in Step 1, and at least 350 miles, then divide by 350. If the excess distance is 51 or more miles, one additional travel day is authorized. 200 is less than 350. 1 authorized travel days. 5. Allow 1 day for travel by air, train, or bus transportation. 1 day. 1 day. 6.
1. Set one clock in the house to "grandma's time" (or whatever "time" works for your family) to help kids understand the difference and stay uniquely connected across the miles. 2. Splurge on travel bags for kids. Stuff them with new and novel items to buy yourself some kids-are-occupied time during a long trip.
The average weight allowances for a PCS are based on rank, dependency status and move type. Special circumstances, like moving overseas/OCONUS, a retirement move or a separation move, may have extra entitlements and/or limitations. Each branch of service may also offer different allowances too, so be sure to check with your local transportation ...
This graphic provides steps to file a travel voucher for a Out of Continental United States (OCONUS) to Out of Continental United States (OCONUS) relocation. ... Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Civilian PCS Entitlement Guide.
A local travel allowance of $25 per day is authorized. The local travel allowance partially offsets local travel expenses. ... The date the sponsor departs or detaches on PCS from the OCONUS PDS; The effective date of transfer when the employee is already at the PDS to which transferred;
1. The standard time limitation of TLE has been increased from 10 to 14 days during PCS moves within CONUS and from five to seven days for moves from CONUS to OCONUS locations. 2. TLE extensions up to 60 days for locations are allowable for a service member experiencing a housing shortage regardless of reason.
Connect with an expert 24/7/365. We get MilLife and we're here 24/7 to connect you to the right kind of expert guidance — from quick answers about specific issues, to personalized coaching, to confidential counseling. Call to schedule a consultation. 800-342-9647. OCONUS dialing options.