PCS Cost Tool
PCS Cost & Allowance Estimator
A PCS move pays you three travel allowances — Dislocation Allowance (DLA), mileage (MALT), and per diem — and then quietly bills you for everything the government doesn't cover. This estimator computes the allowance side from the official 2026 rate tables and nets it against your own out-of-pocket estimates. The rates below are the published ones it runs on.
Worked Example: E-5 (Sergeant) with Dependents, 1,000-Mile Move
Assumptions, all stated: an E-5 (Sergeant) with dependents, driving 1,000 official miles with a spouse and one child under 12 traveling along. Every figure is computed from the 2026 rate tables cited on this page — your own numbers depend on your grade, route, and who travels.
| Allowance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Flat 2026 rate for an E-5 with dependents. | $3,548.02 |
| MALT mileage (20.5¢/mi)1,000 official miles × 20.5¢ per mile. | $205.00 |
| Authorized travel days1,000 mi ÷ 350/day, remainder of 51+ miles adds a day (JTR par. 050205). | 3 days |
| Member per diem3 days × $178.00. | $534.00 |
| Spouse per diem (75%)3 days × $133.50. | $400.50 |
| Child under 12 per diem (50%)3 days × $89.00. | $267.00 |
| Total government reimbursement | $4,954.52 |
Rates: DLA and MALT per the PDTATAC CY2026 rate memos, per diem at the 2026 standard CONUS rate with JTR dependent fractions.
PCS Moving Allowances & Relocation Expenses: The Complete Guide
By MilPayGuide · Reviewed against official rate tables · October 2026
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders involve substantial logistics and significant financial transactions. Governed by the Department of Defense Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) and 37 U.S.C. §§ 474–476, service members receive statutory travel allowances to reimburse the official costs of relocating their household. Understanding the precise rules for Dislocation Allowance (DLA), MALT mileage, and en route per diem allows service members to budget accurately and prevent out-of-pocket deficits.
1. Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
A flat, one-time payment per move intended to assist with the incidental costs of establishing a new household (deposits, utility setup, hookup charges). Rates are set by rank and dependent status. In 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $3,548.02. DLA is 100% tax-free.
2. MALT Mileage Reimbursement
Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation reimburses fuel and wear-and-tear when driving your personally owned vehicle (POV). The official 2026 rate is 20.5¢ per authorized mile. Up to two vehicles may be authorized if both spouse and service member drive.
3. En Route Travel Per Diem
Flat daily lodging and meal allowance for authorized travel days. The member receives $178.00/day; spouse and dependents age 12+ receive 75% ($133.50/day); children under 12 receive 50% ($89.00/day).
How Official Travel Days Are Calculated (The 350-Mile Rule)
Under JTR rules, travel days are strictly determined by the official DTOD distance between installations. The formula prevents unsafe driving while determining the maximum per diem days payable:
Distance Under 400 Miles
Any official distance between 1 and 400 miles is authorized exactly 1 travel day.
Distance Over 400 Miles
Official miles ÷ 350. If the remaining miles equal 51 or more, add 1 additional day. For example, a 1,200-mile trip yields 3 full days (1,050 miles) plus a 150-mile remainder (≥51), totaling 4 travel days.
Hidden Out-of-Pocket Moving Costs to Budget For
While government travel allowances offset official transit costs, most families experience unreimbursed expenses that require out-of-pocket cash flow:
- ·Pet Relocation: Airline crates, veterinary health certificates, microchips, and quarantine fees (up to $550 CONUS reimbursement is now authorized under JTR).
- ·Housing Setup: Cleaning services at departure, lease-break penalties, security deposits, and utility reconnect fees.
- ·Excess Lodging: Pet-friendly hotel surcharges and lodging exceeding the authorized TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) cap of 14 days CONUS.
- ·Food & Restock: Replacing pantry staples, condiments, and household supplies discarded before shipping household goods.
Frequently Asked Questions: PCS Allowances
- How much is Dislocation Allowance (DLA) in 2026?
- Dislocation Allowance is a flat, non-taxable allowance established by the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC). For 2026, an E-5 with dependents receives $3,548.02, while an E-5 without dependents receives $2,389.42. Enlisted pay grades E-1 through E-6 share the exact same with-dependents rate ($3,548.02). DLA is intended to partially offset miscellaneous expenses like utility deposits, lease setup, and hookup fees.
- What is the 2026 MALT mileage rate for a PCS move?
- Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) pays 20.5¢ per official mile, per authorized personal vehicle (POC), effective January 1, 2026. The rate is derived from the IRS standard moving mileage rate. DTMO uses the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD) between your old and new permanent duty stations—not your vehicle's physical odometer—to calculate reimbursable mileage.
- How are PCS travel days and per diem calculated?
- Under JTR paragraph 050202, a drive of up to 400 official miles constitutes one authorized travel day. For routes exceeding 400 miles, travel days are computed by dividing total official miles by 350, with any remainder of 51 miles or more adding one additional travel day. Each authorized day provides flat per diem: $178.00 for the active-duty member, $133.50 (75%) for spouses and dependents age 12+, and $89.00 (50%) for dependents under age 12.
- When is Dislocation Allowance (DLA) not payable?
- Under JTR Section 0505, DLA is not authorized in three common situations: (1) a member without dependents who is assigned to government quarters or barracks at the new station; (2) a member's initial PCS from home of record to their first permanent duty station (unless dependents relocate); and (3) separation or retirement moves where a member leaves the armed forces.
- Can I receive advanced travel payments before I move?
- Yes. Active-duty members executing PCS orders may request travel advances through their local installation finance office (or via DTS/myPay) for up to 100% of authorized DLA, MALT mileage, and travel per diem approximately 10 to 30 days prior to their departure date. Travel advances are subsequently reconciled when you submit your final travel settlement voucher (DD Form 1351-2).