2026 GSA Mileage Reimbursement Rate: Updated Standard Mileage Rate for Gas
The General Services Administration (GSA) has announced the updated standard mileage rates for 2026. These rates, aligned with the IRS standard rate, determines how much federal agencies reimburse employees for vehicle expenses incurred during work-related travel. (And no, commuting to a job site does not count.)
| Vehicle Type | 2026 Rate | 2025 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Privately Owned Automobiles (business) | 72.5¢ per mile | 70¢ per mile |
| Government-furnished automobile unavailable | 20.5¢ per mile | 21¢ per mile |
| Airplane | $1.78 per mile | $1.76 per mile |
| Motorcycle | 70.5¢ per mile | 68¢ per mile |
| Moving Expenses | 20.5¢ per mile | 21¢ per mile |
Comparing 2025 with 2026 IRS Mileage Rate for Gas Reimbursement
- Automobiles: The reimbursement rate for privately owned vehicles rises slightly, from 70¢ in 2025 to 72.5¢ per mile.
- Government‑furnished autos & moving expenses: Both drop marginally, from 21¢ to 20.5¢ per mile.
- Airplanes: Increase from $1.76 to $1.78 per mile.
- Motorcycles: Increase from 68¢ to 70.5 cents per mile - an increase by 2.5 cents
This table is useful for federal employees tracking travel reimbursements, especially those who frequently use personal vehicles for official business.
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Overview of GSA and IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rates
The IRS sets the standard mileage rate, which the GSA often mirrors to reimburse federal employees using privately owned automobiles for official travel. There are different rates when a government vehicle is available but not used, which are equal to the rate for medical and moving expenses. Feds, such as some postal service employees, use a privately owned airplane for business and will get a reimbursement of $ 1.78 per mile for this year. This reimbursement covers the costs of operating a vehicle, including gas, maintenance, and depreciation. Accurate mileage tracking and appropriate reimbursement rates ensure fair compensation for these expenses, supporting both employees and organizations.
2026 POV Mileage Reimbursement Rates
When using a POV vehicle for business purposes, there is one rate when a government-furnished automobile is available and a higher rate for when there is not. There is also a 14 cent mileage rate for charitable use.
Mileage Rates for Business Use and Privately Owned Motorcycles
The 2026 GSA mileage reimbursement rate for automobiles, specifically privately owned automobiles (POV), stands at 72.5 cents per mile for business use. This rate applies when using a privately owned vehicle for work-related activities. For motorcycles, the 2026 rate is $0.705 per mile. When operating a vehicle for business, whether you're a small business owner or a federal employee, you can expect a reimbursement. The difference is business miles driven in the private sector use the IRS rate established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and can claim them on their taxes. For feds, their agency reimburses them directly when operating vehicles for business, and go by the GSA rates which apply.
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2026 Mileage Reimbursement for Airplanes
For those federal employees authorized to use an airplane for official business, the 2026 mileage reimbursement rate is $1.78 per mile. This significant rate reflects the higher costs of operating and maintaining an aircraft compared to automobiles, including fuel prices.
Standard Mileage Rate for Moving Purposes
When a POV is used for moving purposes, the 2026 standard mileage rate is set at 20.5 cents per mile. This mileage rate for moving purposes is lower than the rate for business use, reflecting the specific cost considerations for relocation. The IRS mileage rate adjustments also influence this rate, which impacts those claiming mileage deduction for moving expenses. You can also be reimbursed for travel related to health.
Factors Influencing 2026 Rate Changes
The main factors than increase the POA rate when a government-furnished automobile is used or not are used car prices and overall consumer prices going up.
Rising Vehicle Ownership Costs
One significant factor is the rising costs of vehicle ownership, including increasing gas prices and general inflation. These economic pressures necessitate adjustments to the standard mileage rate to adequately reimburse federal employees for their expenses. The IRS considers these factors when it sets the standard mileage rate. The IRS publishes the rates in fall, released in September 2024 and 2025. The GSA announced the new rate with the FTR bulletin 26-02 on December 30 of last year.
Insurance and Maintenance Considerations
Higher insurance premiums and increasing maintenance expenses directly impact the overall cost of operating a vehicle. These factors are carefully considered to ensure the mileage reimbursement rate accurately reflects the financial burden on federal employees using their POVs for business. The 2026 business mileage rate reflects these considerations.
Understanding Mileage Deduction and Per Diem
Per diem and mileage reimbursement are two distinct methods of compensating expenses. Per diem covers daily expenses such as meals and lodging, while mileage reimbursement specifically addresses the costs of operating a privately owned vehicle (POV). While the gas reimbursement rates apply to the calendar year (Jan. - Dec.) and are announced around New Year's, per diem rates are released in August and apply to the fiscal year (Oct. - Sept.) So the 2026 per diem rates for lodging and meals have been in effect since October 1, 2025 and the gas rate for use of privately owned car went into effect on January 1. 2026.
Using the Standard Mileage Rate for Tax Deduction
Mileage deduction is a method used by the IRS to calculate the tax-deductible expenses incurred when using a POV for business, medical, or moving purposes. The IRS standard mileage rate provides a per-mile rate that covers gas, maintenance, and depreciation. By keeping a detailed mileage log, individuals can accurately claim this deduction, reducing their taxable income. The 2026 standard mileage rate for business is 72.5 cents per mile. As mentioned earlier, the GSA rates apply to federal agencies reimbursing their employees.
Calculating and Filing for Mileage Reimbursement
To file for mileage reimbursement, federal employees must maintain a detailed mileage log, recording the date, purpose, and miles driven for each trip using their privately owned vehicle. This mileage log should be submitted with the expense report, along with any required supporting documentation. The reimbursement is calculated by multiplying the total business miles by the 2026 standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile. Accurate mileage tracking is critical for receiving the correct reimbursement based on IRS guidelines.
CY 2026 POV Mileage Reimbursement for Federal Travel
In summary, the 2026 GSA mileage reimbursement rate for business use of a privately owned vehicle (POV) is 72.5 cents per mile, reflecting adjustments influenced by the IRS. The mileage rate for moving purposes has decreased to 20.5 cents per mile. These rate changes consider rising vehicle ownership costs, including gas, insurance, and maintenance. Federal employees should maintain accurate mileage tracking to ensure proper mileage reimbursement.
