How much will you get paid per diem?

Semi-truck per diem online calculator

Please note these calculators are provided for informational purposes only and unrelated to Drivewyze and its software products.

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Per diem is a daily allowance for living expenses a company gives its employees who are traveling for work. For truckers, it typically covers meals from the first to the last day of travel.

Understanding the per diem rate for truck drivers can significantly simplify budgeting for on-the-road expenses. Our easy-to-use calculator helps truck drivers to estimate their per diem based on the number of full days and partial days worked. By inputting these numbers, our calculator swiftly determines your total per diem. Use our calculator below as a tool to enhance your financial planning on the road.

Calculate Your Per Diem Instantly

Number of Full Days Worked:

Number of Partial Days Worked:

Formula Used

Total Per Diem = (Number of Full Days Worked * Full Day Rate) + (Number of Partial Days Worked * Partial Day Rate)

In this formula:

Number of Full Days Worked is the total number of full days the trucker worked.
Number of Partial Days Worked is the total number of partial days the trucker worked.
Full Day Rate is the fixed daily rate provided to the trucker for a full day’s work.
Partial Day Rate is the fixed daily rate provided to the trucker for a partial day’s work.
To calculate the total per diem, you multiply the number of full days worked by the full day rate and the number of partial days worked by the partial day rate, then add the two results together.

It’s important to note that as of January 2024, the per diem rate for travel inside of the continental United States (CONUS) is $69 per day and $74 per day for official travel outside of the continental U.S.

Truck Driver Per Diem Rate Examples

Number of Full Days Worked	Number of Partial Days Worked	Full Day Rate	Partial Day Rate	Total Per Diem
10	2	69	51.75	741.5
20	3	69	51.75	1438.25

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is per diem taxable?

Per diem payments can often be excluded from taxable income if they meet certain IRS guidelines, which makes them an attractive option for many truck drivers. However, specific rules can vary, so it’s recommended to consult a tax professional.

How is the per diem rate determined?

The per diem rate is often determined by the federal government and can change from year to year. The rate can also vary depending on the location where the trucker is working. For example, rates for per diem expenses within Alaska or Florida are different from rates in Hawaii.

Can I calculate the per diem for a month?

Yes, you can calculate the per diem for a month. Simply enter the number of days worked in that month into the calculator.

Who regulates per diem for truck drivers?

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) regulates the per diem travel policy for government travel, but not for truckers. The IRS offers a per diem program (with a standard rate of 80%) that applies to self-employed truckers and trucking companies.

While per diem deductions for most industries include travel expenses like meal and incidental expenses (M&IE rates) and lodging rates, this is not the case for trucking. Truckers can only claim per diem for meal expenses.

Many companies offer their drivers per diem reimbursement as a pay package incentive, which helps them attract and retain top talent.

Are there exemptions to per diem?

The U.S. government doesn’t allow truckers to claim per diem if they’re local drivers who start and end their trip at home within the same 14-hour workday. Further, trucking companies and solo drivers can only claim per diem for meal costs. For additional per diem exceptions, visit IRS.gov to learn more.

How can I track per diem for my truck fleet?

You can use DOT Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) to help ensure your expenses are IRS-compliant. They can track the location, data, and time of expenses so your drivers don’t have to worry about manual documentation.