Counties should adopt a resolution establishing mileage, lodging, and per diem rates at the first Commission meeting of the new year.
Reimbursement Rate Announcements
Expand the sections below for mileage, lodging, and meal rate information
Mileage Rate
Mileage Reimbursement UPDATED: July 1 – Dec 31, 2026
76 Cents / Mile
In response to rising fuel costs, the IRS has increased the standard mileage rate for business use, effective July 1, 2026. The new rate for the use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck is 76 cents per mile, which is up 3.5 cents since January’s initial rate of 72.5 cents.
The rate for any mileage over 1,000 miles in a given calendar month is three cents less per mile, MCA 2-18-503.
Mileage Trackers: Google Maps, Map Quest, Bing Maps, or OpenStreetMaps.
Meal Rates
Meal Reimbursement
Counties may set their own rates. Statute rates are intended for State employees. Some counties use state rates as a guideline. Others use GSA rates.
GSA Standard Meal Rates
As per U.S. General Services Administration
October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 Unchanged
- Morning Meal: $16.00
- Midday Meal: $19.00
- Evening Meal: $28.00
- TOTAL: $63.00
Click here for Gallatin/Park, Lewis & Clark, Flathead, and Missoula.
Montana State Law – In-State Meal Rates
As per MCA 2-18-501
Since July 1, 2025 via HB 13 (2025) Unchanged
- Morning Meal: $11.20
- Midday Meal: $13.30
- Evening Meal: $19.60
- TOTAL: $44.10
Out-of-state allowance defaults to standard GSA rate, e.g., $63.00/day.
Previous GSA Standard Meal Rates
October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 Previous
- Morning Meal: $16.00
- Midday Meal: $19.00
- Evening Meal: $28.00
- TOTAL: $63.00
Previous Montana State Law – In-State Meal Rates
As per MCA 2-18-501 via HB 13 (2023)
- Morning Meal: $8.25
- Midday Meal: $9.25
- Evening Meal: $16.00
- TOTAL: $33.50
* NOTE: Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations.
** Meals and Incidental (cabs, parking meters, etc.) Expenses, see Breakdown of M&IE Expenses for important information on first and last days of travel. M&IE are expenses that the federal government reimburses without receipt but it doesn’t apply in Montana, because the meal rates are set in statute (MCA 2-18-501).
CURRENT Lodging
Montana Lodging Rates
October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
Information below is obtained from the U.S. General Services Administration. Click here for further explanation.
| Primary Destination |
County |
Max Lodging Rate |
| Standard Rate |
Applies for all locations without specified rates. |
$113 |
| Big Sky / West Yellowstone / Gardiner |
Gallatin / Park |
Oct. 1 – May 30 = $169 June 1 – Sept. 30 = $326 |
| Helena |
Lewis & Clark |
$140 |
| Kalispell / Whitefish |
Flathead |
Oct. 1 – June 30 = $126 July 1 – Sept. 30 = $244 |
| Missoula | Missoula | Oct. 1 – May 30 = $135 June 1 – Sept. 30 = $199 |
* NOTE: Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations.
** Meals and Incidental (cabs, parking meters, etc.) Expenses, see Breakdown of M&IE Expenses for important information on first and last days of travel. M&IE are expenses that the federal government reimburses without receipt but it doesn’t apply in Montana, because the meal rates are set in statute (MCA 2-18-501).
PREVIOUS Lodging
PREVIOUS Montana Lodging Rates
Effective October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Information below is obtained from the U.S. General Services Administration. Click here for further explanation.
| Primary Destination |
County |
Max Lodging Rate |
| Standard Rate |
Applies for all locations without specified rates. |
$110 |
| Big Sky / West Yellowstone / Gardiner |
Gallatin / Park |
Oct. 1 – May 30 = $176 June 1 – Sept. 30 = $310 |
| Helena |
Lewis & Clark |
$132 |
| Kalispell / Whitefish |
Flathead |
Oct. 1 – June 30 = $124 July 1 – Sept. 30 = $232 |
| Missoula | Missoula | Oct. 1 – May 30 = $130 June 1 – Sept. 30 = $195 |
* NOTE: Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations.
** Meals and Incidental (cabs, parking meters, etc.) Expenses, see Breakdown of M&IE Expenses for important information on first and last days of travel. M&IE are expenses that the federal government reimburses without receipt but it doesn’t apply in Montana, because the meal rates are set in statute (MCA 2-18-501).
Good-to-Know Info…
State vs. County Rates
The Legislature sets the rates for State employees via statute. Counties set the rates for their employees via resolution. Some counties utilize the State rates as a guideline. Others use the GSA rates OR somewhere in between between State and GSA.
Related Statutes
For information on travel rates, please refer to MCA 2-18-501 (meals, lodging, and transportation of persons in state service); 2-18-502 (computation of meal allowance); and 2-18-503 (mileage – allowance).
Regardless of a resolution…
In certain situations, a county pays actual expenses as well as for certain county officers, as per the AG Opinion below [42 A.G. Op. 124 (1988)].
Exception to County Travel Policy — Certain County Officers Entitled to Actual Travel Expenses:
In attending the annual state convention for the office held, a County Attorney, Sheriff, Assessor, or Justice of the Peace is entitled to reimbursement for actual travel expenses. These expenses may exceed the levels established in a county travel policy.