PCS Travel Days Calculator
Calculate your authorized PCS travel days, proceed time, per diem estimates, and plan your military move timeline. Enter your distance and travel mode to get started. Everything runs in your browser — no data is stored or sent to any server.
How PCS Travel Days Calculator Works
When you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, the military authorizes a specific number of travel days based on the distance between your old and new duty station and your mode of travel. For privately owned vehicle (POV) travel, you are authorized one travel day for every 350 miles of the official distance. Air travel typically receives one travel day regardless of distance. In both cases, you receive one additional proceed day for personal business.
OCONUS (Outside Continental United States) moves receive additional travel days to account for the complexity of international relocation. This typically adds one to two extra days depending on your destination and whether you need to clear customs, process vehicles, or handle passport and visa requirements.
Travel Day Formulas
POV/Driving: Travel Days = ceil(Distance / 350 miles) + 1 proceed day
Air Travel: 1 travel day + 1 proceed day = 2 total days
OCONUS Addition: +1 to +2 extra travel days
Per Diem (2026 CONUS): $157/day
Understanding Per Diem During PCS
Service members receive per diem for each authorized travel day during a PCS move. The 2026 CONUS per diem rate is $157 per day, which covers lodging and meals. Dependents also receive a per diem allowance, though at a reduced rate. The actual per diem you receive may vary based on your specific orders, the number of dependents traveling with you, and whether you are traveling in CONUS or OCONUS areas.
Per diem is designed to offset the cost of travel, including hotels, meals, and incidental expenses. Keep all receipts during your PCS move, as some expenses may be reimbursable beyond the standard per diem allowance. Your transportation office can provide specific guidance on what additional expenses qualify for reimbursement.
PCS Move Planning Checklist
A successful PCS move requires careful planning that starts well before your report date. Begin by scheduling your household goods pickup at least six weeks before your planned move date. Contact your new installation housing office to arrange temporary or permanent housing. Update your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) information and transfer medical records. Notify your current and receiving units of your travel timeline. Use this calculator to determine your authorized travel window so you can plan stops, lodging, and arrival at your new duty station with plenty of time to spare.
OCONUS vs. CONUS Moves
OCONUS moves are significantly more complex than CONUS relocations. They involve shipping vehicles overseas, potential storage of household goods, passport and visa processing, and overseas screening requirements. The additional travel days authorized for OCONUS moves reflect this added complexity. Service members should work closely with their transportation management office (TMO) to ensure all requirements are met well in advance of their report date. Common OCONUS destinations include Germany, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom, each with unique entry requirements and processing timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many travel days do I get for a PCS move?
For POV (driving) travel, you receive one travel day per 350 miles of official distance, with a minimum of one day. Air travel receives one travel day. In both cases, you also receive one proceed day for personal business. OCONUS moves receive one to two additional days depending on distance.
What is a proceed day?
A proceed day is an additional authorized day given during PCS moves for personal business such as arranging housing, enrolling children in school, or handling administrative tasks at your new duty station. All PCS moves receive at least one proceed day in addition to travel days.
How much per diem do I receive during PCS?
The 2026 CONUS per diem rate is $157 per day for the service member. Dependents receive approximately 75% of the member rate. Per diem covers lodging, meals, and incidental expenses during authorized travel days. OCONUS per diem rates vary by location.
What happens if I arrive early or late?
If you arrive at your new duty station before your authorized travel days expire, the unused days are simply not used — you do not receive extra per diem. If you take longer than your authorized travel days, any excess days are charged as leave. Always plan your travel to stay within authorized days.
Do dependents get their own travel days?
Dependents do not receive separate travel days — they share the same authorized travel period as the service member. However, dependents do receive their own per diem allowance for each authorized travel day, typically at 75% of the member rate per dependent.
What is the difference between CONUS and OCONUS PCS moves?
CONUS moves are within the Continental United States. OCONUS moves are to locations outside CONUS, including Alaska, Hawaii, and overseas assignments. OCONUS moves receive additional travel days, may include port calls for vehicle shipping, and often have higher per diem rates based on the destination country.