Travel management policy overview

Located within GSA’s Office of Government-wide Policy, the Office of Travel, Relocation, Transportation, and Mail Policy sets travel policy for most Executive branch agencies through the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR). The office is best known for setting per diem reimbursement rates for lodging and meals, which is the most frequently visited page on the GSA website. In addition, the office sets mileage reimbursement rates for privately owned vehicles (POV), writes and interprets the FTR, collects and reports agency data on several types of travel, and answers questions on complex travel topics such as the Fly America Act and how travel regulations apply to Federal employee telework and remote work situations. The FTR is continuously evaluated to incorporate new technology, analyze the impact of regulations and laws, and educate and train federal travel professionals.

View recent FTR amendments and Travel/Per Diem Bulletins.

Per diem rates

GSA establishes the per diem rates that Federal Executive branch agencies use to reimburse their employees for subsistence expenses incurred while on official travel within the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The per diem rates consist of a maximum lodging allowance component and a meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) component. More information is available at gsa.gov/perdiem.

Mileage reimbursement rates

Federal employees may be reimbursed the applicable mileage rate for privately owned automobiles, motorcycles, and privately owned aircraft while on official temporary duty (TDY) travel. The rate to use when a government-furnished vehicle is available but the employee uses a privately owned vehicle instead is also listed at this site, as well as the standard mileage reimbursement rates for moving purposes (see the Employee Relocation Management Policy site for more information on the moving rate). View all the rates at gsa.gov/mileage. 

Internal agency travel policy manager

GSA’s travel policy office works with all Executive agencies, but each Federal agency also has an internal agency travel policy office that ensures compliance with both the FTR and their own additional internal travel rules applicable to their unique missions. Federal employees should direct any travel-related questions to their internal agency travel policy office, which is often found in the agency’s Office of Finance or Travel/Relocation Office. These local offices are in the best position to review the circumstances and facts of each question and provide appropriate answers.

Do you have a question?

If you still have questions after reviewing the FTR and internal agency policy, submit a question to the Have a Question page. Federal contractors and grantees should reach out to their contracting/grant officer, and employees of other types of organizations should contact their appropriate office that handles travel questions.