JTR Calculate Travel Days? How It Works

Yes, JTR (Joint Travel Regulations) travel days are calculated as calendar days, not 24-hour periods, and the number of days you are authorized depends on the distance between your old and new duty stations. You enter your official travel distance in miles, and the calculator below applies the JTR’s standard formula to determine how many travel days you are entitled to for a permanent change of station (PCS).

Formula

The JTR uses a simple distance-based rule for most PCS travel by personal vehicle: 350 miles per travel day, rounding up to the nearest whole day, with a minimum of 1 day. The formula is:

Travel Days = max(1, ⌈Distance ÷ 350⌉)

Where:

• Distance = the official road mileage between your old and new duty stations, in miles (from the Defense Table of Official Distances, or DTOD).
• 350 = the number of miles the JTR assumes you can drive in one travel day.
• ⌈ ⌉ = round up to the next whole number (ceiling).
• max(1, …) = ensures you always get at least 1 travel day, even for very short moves.

For example, a 500-mile move gives ⌈500 ÷ 350⌉ = ⌈1.43⌉ = 2 travel days. A 100-mile move gives ⌈0.29⌉ = 1 day. A 1,200-mile move gives ⌈3.43⌉ = 4 days.

Worked Example

Using the calculator’s default of 500 miles:

1. Divide distance by 350: 500 ÷ 350 = 1.4286
2. Round up to the next whole number: 2
3. Apply the minimum of 1 day: max(1, 2) = 2

So a 500-mile PCS move authorizes 2 travel days. The calculator shows the same result.

Background: What the JTR Actually Says

The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) govern travel and transportation allowances for U.S. uniformed service members. Chapter 5, Part A covers PCS travel. The key rule for travel days is found in JTR 050302, which states that when you travel by privately owned vehicle (POV), you are allowed one travel day for each 350 miles of official distance. Fractions of a day are rounded up to the next full day. This is a flat, distance-based rule—it does not account for weather, traffic, road conditions, or how fast you actually drive.

If you fly instead of drive, the JTR generally allows only one travel day for the flight itself, plus an extra day if the flight requires an overnight layover. But the 350-mile rule applies specifically to POV travel, which is what most members use for a PCS because it lets them transport household goods and a second car.

How to Use the Result

The number of travel days you get matters for two reasons:

• Chargeable leave: Travel days are not charged as leave. They are official duty time. So if you are authorized 4 travel days and you take 5, the extra day is charged as ordinary leave.
• Per diem: You receive per diem (meals and incidentals) for each authorized travel day. The per diem rate depends on your route and is paid for the number of days you are authorized, not the number you actually take.

If you finish the drive faster than the authorized days, you do not get to keep the unused per diem. If you take longer, the extra days are not paid and count against your leave.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One frequent error is using the straight-line (as-the-crow-flies) distance instead of the official road mileage from the DTOD. The JTR requires the DTOD mileage, which is the shortest authorized road route. Your GPS may show a different distance, and that can change your travel day count.

Another misconception is that travel days are based on 8-hour driving days. They are not. The 350-mile rule is a flat number, regardless of speed limits or driving time. A 700-mile move is always 2 days, even if you could legally drive it in 10 hours.

Rounding is also misunderstood. You always round up, never down. A 351-mile move is 2 days, not 1. And there is no partial day credit—if you drive 350 miles and then stop, you have used a full travel day.

Alternatives and Special Cases

The 350-mile rule is the default, but there are exceptions:

• Alaska and Hawaii: If your PCS involves travel by sea or air to/from these states, the travel day calculation is different. The JTR provides specific rules for OCONUS (outside continental U.S.) travel, often based on transportation schedules rather than mileage.
• Concurrent travel: If you are moving with dependents, the travel days are the same as for a single member. You do not get extra days for family members.
• House hunting: House-hunting trips are separate from the PCS move and have their own travel day rules, typically 1 day for travel to the new location and 1 day for return, regardless of distance.
• Early return of dependents: If dependents travel separately, each gets their own travel day calculation based on their own route.

For most CONUS moves, the 350-mile rule is all you need. But always check your orders and the JTR for any special provisions that might apply to your specific situation.

Costs and Per Diem Implications

While this calculator only computes the number of travel days, that number directly affects your reimbursement. Per diem for PCS travel is paid at the standard CONUS rate (currently around $166 per day for meals and incidentals, but this changes annually). So a 500-mile move (2 days) would net roughly $332 in per diem, while a 1,200-mile move (4 days) would net about $664. These are approximate figures—actual rates depend on the specific locations and the current fiscal year.

Additionally, if you are authorized travel days, you are also entitled to lodging reimbursement for each night, up to the local lodging rate. The number of travel days caps how many nights you can claim. Taking longer than authorized means you pay for the extra nights out of pocket.

Limits of the Formula

The 350-mile rule is a blunt instrument. It does not account for:

• Driving through mountainous terrain or heavy traffic that slows you down.
• Weather delays, which are not covered by extra travel days.
• Vehicle breakdowns or other emergencies—these are handled on a case-by-case basis by your commanding officer, not by the formula.
• Trailers or RVs that reduce your safe daily driving distance.

If you need more time than the formula gives, you must request advance approval from your commander for additional travel days. Without approval, the extra days are charged as leave and you forfeit per diem for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the JTR give travel days for flying?

Yes, but not based on mileage. For air travel, you get 1 travel day for the flight itself. If the flight requires an overnight layover (more than 4 hours between connecting flights), you get an additional day. The 350-mile rule only applies to driving.

Can I take more travel days than the formula gives?

Yes, but only with prior approval from your commander. If you take extra days without approval, they are charged as ordinary leave and you do not receive per diem for them. Approval is typically granted for reasons like severe weather, vehicle issues, or medical emergencies.

What distance should I use for the calculator?

Use the official mileage from the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), which your transportation office can provide. Do not use a GPS or map app distance, as those may not match the DTOD and could change your authorized days.

Do travel days count as leave?

No. Authorized travel days are official duty time, not leave. You are paid your regular salary and receive per diem during those days. Only the days beyond your authorized travel days are charged as leave.

Does the 350-mile rule apply to moves within the same city?

No. If your new duty station is within 50 miles of your old one, it is typically considered a local move and no travel days are authorized. The 350-mile rule applies to PCS moves that involve a change of permanent station, which usually requires a distance of more than 50 miles.

What if I drive more than 350 miles in one day?

You can, but you do not get extra credit. The JTR authorizes a fixed number of days based on the total distance. Driving faster does not increase your per diem or give you extra days. You simply finish early and report to your new station sooner.

Related

• Duration Calculator by Dates: How It Works
• Duration Calculator Between Dates: How It Works
• Duration Calculator Between 2 Dates: How It Works

in miles | Official distance (miles) | mi | 500 | 0
out days | Authorized travel days | days | max(1, ceil(miles / 350)) | 0