MALT and PCS Per Diem

Anyone driving to a new duty station on PCS orders

When you drive your own vehicle on a PCS, you are paid a mileage rate (Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation) based on the official distance between stations, plus a flat per diem for each authorized travel day. Dependents traveling with you earn a share of the per diem. The number of authorized travel days is set by the official mileage, so extra days for sightseeing are on your own dime. Rates are set by the Defense Travel Management Office and change periodically.

How to use it

Look up the official distance and current MALT and per diem rates on the DTMO site, and keep lodging receipts for each travel night.

Go to the official source

Last checked 2026-10. Rules and amounts change; your installation's finance, transportation or family center office has the final word.

Related in Money & Entitlements

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
  Families arriving at or leaving an overseas (OCONUS) duty station
• PCS Advance Pay and Advance Allowances
  Service members who need cash up front to pay for a move